By Julie Bell, R.N. BEFORE THE BIRTH, PLEASE PRAY: - for a good, safe birthing place (home or good hospital / birthing center) with skilled medical attendants who can provide sensitive, personalized care. - for a good midwife who is skilled, compassionate and sensitive. ("When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them upon the delivery stool..." Exodus 1:16) To help and to observe is just what a good midwife does. (‘Midwife’ means, ‘with woman’) ‘Upon the stools’ implies a vertical position which allows the birthing process to benefit from gravity. "So God was kind to the midwives .. and because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own." Ex.1:20,21) - that technical intervention will be used wisely, only if truly necessary; that I will be supported to give birth naturally. Pray that the medical personnel/midwife will have the mind of Christ. - for a woman friend who is kind and prayerful, to be with my husband and I during the birth as the labour support person. - that the baby will be ready to be born, emotionally as well as physically, in a good head-down, anterior position. That the baby will present well with the head well flexed (not face first or with fist beside head, for example) (Psalm 71:5,6) - that the labour will begin at the Lord’s appointed time, that mother, father & baby will be built up in faith, relaxed and ready. (Isaiah 66: 7-10) - for financial provision for the payment of the midwife / hospital / birth supplies. (Phil. 4:19) - that the waters will break at the right time, not too soon before labour commences. - that the placenta will be in the right position, well up and away from the cervix. - that the umbilical cord will be in the right position, not wrapped around the baby’s head or any other part of the baby’s body, and will not prolapse ahead of the baby. - that the cervix will soften, ripen, efface and begin to dilate. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body." Psalm 139:13-15 FOR FIRST STAGE, PLEASE PRAY: - that my womb will be blessed, having strong, regular contractions that are effective but not painful. (Deuteronomy 7:13; Genesis 49:25) - that the cervix will dilate easily, quickly and efficiently. - that my body will relax and yield, that I will be kept in perfect peace in my spirit and soul as I stay my mind on Jesus, so that it is only the uterus that tenses up during the powerful muscular contractions. (Isaiah 26:3) - that my hormones will be blessed - that my body will release plenty of oxytocin (which causes contractions) and endorphins (natural pain-inhibitors) - but not adrenalin, which is part of the stress response, and inhibits the release of oxytocin. Bless my hypothalamus and pituitary gland. - for a wide, open, roomy pelvis that is supple and flexible FOR SECOND STAGE, PLEASE PRAY: - for safe passage for the baby down through the birth canal, easily and unhindered, with a good oxygen supply throughout birth (no foetal distress). (Isaiah 46:4) - that I will be able to push easily and effectively, working along with the uterus to expel the baby. (Psalm 18:32) - that the tissues of the perineum will stretch gently and easily, fanning out to allow the baby through, for slow, gradual crowning of the head, with no tearing or episiotomy. - that the baby will breathe spontaneously at the moment of birth, have clear airways and have good ‘Apgars’ (assessment of the newborn’s overall condition at 1 minute and 5 minutes after birth.) FOR THIRD STAGE, PLEASE PRAY: - for a blessed bonding time between father, mother and baby immediately after birth, in the Lord’s presence. - that the baby will be able to suckle at the breast, to help the uterus to contract, clamp down and expel the placenta. - that the placenta will detatch safely, be intact, and be delivered without delay, with no haemorrhage; that the uterus will contract down well after the expulsion of the placenta. - that breastfeeding will be established well, no sore nipples, infections etc. (Gen. 49:25 "blessings of the breast"; Isaiah 66:11) - for no excessive jaundice for the baby and for good health generally for the baby. - for good rest for the new mother after the birth, and no post-natal depression. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Cascade Christian Childbirth Association
