530-694-2182                  lstinseth@me.com

My Philosophy of Childbirth

Natural, non-interventive, childbirth is a right of passage for every birthing mother. She should have the availability to obtain this in a non-threatening environment surrounded by unrestricted access to loving support people every time she gives birth. As a midwife and a birthing mother I have a passion for women and their babies to provide such a fulfilling and safe environment.

A woman has the right to, and deserves, accurate statistical information about birth care practices. Described to her with cultural sensitivity has to prevent misunderstandings. To further avoid misunderstanding and enhance continuity of care, collaboration with all practitioners and services needs to be available and friendly. Unfortunately this is not always the case in our health care system today, which can lead to adverse effects for mother and baby.

There are many routine obstetrical practices that are performed on mothers and babies that are not necessarily based on scientific evidence (1). Some examples are routine episiotomies and continuous electric fetal heart monitoring. Women need to educate themselves on such procedures and free their minds of the fears that have been impressed on them.

Having her support system; including her health care provider, to provide her with non analgesic, anesthetic drugs is critical. A birthing mother needs to be in an environment that does not promote the use of drugs and offers other pain relief measures such as the use of water and unrestricted movement while in labor (The Evidence Basis for the Ten Steps of Mother-Friendly Care- Journal of Perinatal education, Vol. 16, supplement 1, winter 2007).

I encourage all mothers and families to touch, hold, talk to and bond immediately after birth. Breastfeeding is so important for maternal and infant wellbeing that I will utilize all our community resources and continued support until we have achieved a healthy peaceful breastfeeding relationship.

I also strive to educate families on the myths and fallacies of nonreligious circumcision of the newborn by sharing statistical information and risks vs. benefits.  For instance, assuming a 2% complication rate, circumcising 1,000 male infants would prevent 9 cases of infant urinary tract infection, but would cause complications in 20 babies. (The Evidence Basis for the Ten steps of Mother-Friendly Care - Journal of Perinatal Education, Vol. 16, Supplement 1, Winter 2007)  

Believing we have a purposeful design, I am certain our bodies were made to bring forth children without cutting or harmful medications. From the beginning of mankind to today,  “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9. Humans from all nations and times have, with knowledgeable women to assist them have given birth safely. We have lost so much in America because to the creation of institutionalize medical delivery’s. With the simultaneous abolishment of knowledgeable skilled midwives, we have had to relearn so much of what was lost at the expense of maternal and infant health. (WHO infant mortality rates)

With that, my hope is that each woman; with proper support from her family, community and care givers can give birth naturally in the proper time. Sometimes that may be a labor longer than 24 hours (sometimes minutes!) or a birth takes place two weeks after an Estimated Due Date. Those babies that lye in the womb a little different (ie posterior) may need more time to move down and around to come out.  I use relief measures that do no harm to mother or baby to help endure these slow entries into the world. God promises “He will never leave us or forsake us” Deut.31:6  and  He says,” Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28. 

Enduring and feeling labor and birth for a woman and her baby are so important for bonding, breastfeeding, female health, mental health and respiratory strength and immunities for the baby. The experience is more valuable then we know or can describe.

Interventions beginning with mothers restrained on their backs, to in our country, women no longer being the primary caregivers for pregnant women, have interfered with Gods plan for mothers, baby, family and society.

I believe it is each woman’s responsibility and mine to keep the original divine plan in her birth.

I believe God has called me to assist women in searching for and planning for that goal and with support and protection, achieving it. I see myself as a watchman, a lifeguard, as a guide for each individual woman and her unique birth.  I am here to help you know when birth becomes a medical condition, what to do in that case and make a plan. I am here to help you decode the unknown to the best of my knowledge and experience. I ask for Gods guidance and equipping. I believe your experience is yours, given to you for a purpose.

If this is the first step you have taken toward taking charge of your health care and your family’s, welcome to the journey. I am excited to get to know you and help you along in this enlightening worthwhile effort. 

1. Two-Thirds of OB-GYN Clinical Guidelines Have No Basis in Science, Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2011