Spirituality and childbirth: An international virtual co–operative inquiry

Abstract

Problem Medicalised maternity systems do not address spirituality as an aspect of childbirth and its practices of care. Neglecting the spiritual nature of childbirth may negatively affect psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing.Background While there is growing interest in the spiritual side of childbirth there is a paucity of literature on the topic, and hence a lack of understanding generally about how to attend to women's needs for emotional and spiritual support in childbirth.Aim To collaboratively and through consensus explore ways that spirituality could be honoured in 21 st Century maternity care.Methods An online co-operative inquiry. Starting with a scoping exercise (N=17) nine co-inquirers continued to Phase One using online discussion boards and seven co-inquirers continued to Phase Two and Three. Co-inquirers were involved in international group work and individual reflective and transformational processes throughout.Findings Four reflective themes emerged: 'meaning and sense-making'; 'birth culture'; 'embodied relationships and intuition'; and 'space/place/time'. 'Spiritual midwifing' was an overarching theme.There were eight areas of individual transformation and actions concerning spirituality and birth: 1) disseminating inquiry findings; 2) motivating conversations and new ways of thinking; 3) remembering interconnectedness across time and spaces; 4) transforming relationships; 5) transforming practice; 6) generating reflexivity; 7) inspiring self and others to change, and 8) inspiring creativity. Conclusion Spiritual awareness around birth experience emerges through relationships and isaffected by the spatial environment. Spiritual midwifing is a relational approach to birth care that recognises and honours the existential significance and meaningfulness of childbirth. Problem or IssueNeglecting the spiritual aspects of childbirth may negatively affect psychological, emotional and physical wellbeing. What is Already KnownCultural and spiritual aspects of childbirth have been identified across different disciplines and shown to be integral to childbirth. What this Paper addsWorking in an unprecedented asynchronous manner, this cooperative inquiry engaged participants across several global regions. Spirituality as an aspect of childbirth is foregrounded, gesturing to a quality of being that informs practical ways of being around childbirth named 'spiritual midwifing'.

Independent qualitative evaluative study of Calmbirth® antenatal classes

“…The report suggests that decision-making was positively in uenced by women and their care providers. Yet the powerful in uence of maternity units and their culture and philosophy on childbirth has been identi ed [34,35], and these may have a greater impact on choices than a set of learnt strategies and tools. Critically, the balancing of maternity care provider in uences with participant expectations has been found to be an important theme for antenatal education [20].…”

“…It could be construed that there may, in some instances, be a clash of cultures between the Calmbirth® programme and the hospital culture more broadly. Such clash of cultural ideologies has been highlighted previously in the birthing space [35,[38][39][40][41]. To proactively address these concerns a level of criticality, a willingness to be proactive and resist cultures and practices not congruent with one's wishes is required -yet this is challenging in the birth space and not a place or time for con ict.…”

Exploring Ritual Fields Today

“…Spirituality at the start of life has been gaining attention in the literature (Callister and Khalaf 2010). Crowther has written extensively within the last years on the importance of acknowledging spirituality at the start of life Hall 2015, 2018;Crowther et al 2014aCrowther et al , 2014bCrowther et al , 2020. Ignoring the subject of spirituality at childbirth neglects a fundamental aspect of humanity and care practice as well.…”

“…Similar to end of life care, the beginning of life also deserves focus and attention regarding questions of meaning and spirituality (Wojtkowiak and Crowther 2018). Crowther et al (2020) define spirituality as "an aspect of our lives that brings meaning, sense of purpose, unifies our life narrative, feelings of interconnectivity and of deepening relationships with self and others ('others' being seen and unseen). It may be connected to religion and a belief in a quality of divinity but not necessarily.…”

“…A literature review of previous research has shown that pregnancy and birth reveal many existential questions and notions of spirituality (Prinds et al 2014). Recently, research has increasingly been focusing on spirituality at the start of life (Crowther and Hall 2018;Crowther et al 2014aCrowther et al , 2020Wojtkowiak and Crowther 2018;Prinds et al 2016). In line with Davis-Floyd (1992), many authors have been contributing to the understanding that pregnancy and birth are highly ritualized in Western, secular contexts (e.g., giving a name to the baby, keeping the sonogram as a memorial object, sending a birth card) (Burns 2014(Burns , 2015Cheyney 2011;van Gysgem 2017;Freedman 2011;Prates et al 2018;Reed et al 2016).…”