Birth Around the World

Women have been birthing for millions of years. While we’ve gotten pretty good at it, we look back at the past to help us improve our future. Reflecting on traditions demonstrates some widespread similarities among cultures and integrating those traditions into modern day birth has given us incredible knowledge. After all, a woman’s anatomy has general consistencies from one place in time and one culture to another! 

Birth is a sacred thing and because of this status, rituals and customs are special in that they are woven into the fabric from generations of tradition and they are both very present in modern times. Birth practices from long ago have been documented through storytellers, texts, images and instincts. Some cultures celebrate practices unique to their community and these are shared with other cultures as the wisdom from inherent methods have proven successful. This may include birthing positions such as standing or squatting or examples of a woman

stretching out her arms during transition to help open the sacrum. For each culture rituals, practices and beliefs played an important role. In many cultures, birth was attended by knowledgeable women, midwives, or traditional birth attendants. 

In ancient Egypt, childbirth was a natural process that occurred at home accompanied by midwives. They used herbs to ensure the safety of the baby and mother and the mother typically assumed a squatting position for birthing.

In ancient Greece, women also took on an upright birthing position utilizing a chair or standing in order to ease the process of the baby emerging. It was believed that the birth was overseen by Eileithyia, the goddess of labor and birth, and it was believed she had influence over the difficulty or ease of the labor.

In ancient China, traditional Chinese medicine which places emphasis on harmony and balance of the body, 

has shown us the importance of trusting the internal functions within the body. We have derived things such as the use of herbs, moxibustion, and acupuncture and acupressure from TCM.

Indigenous Native American cultures embraced childbirth as a sacred communal event which involved prayers, songs and objects. Herbal medicines were used to manage pain during labor as well as traditional techniques. The ritual of birthing in groups with immediate, extended family, and spiritual leaders also included a midwife or elder attending the birth to offer emotional and physical support. The wisdom of the elders was greatly respected to guide the natural process. Beautifully noted, the elder women were respected as the keepers of wisdom as they  understood the remarkable balance between the physical and spiritual realms during childbirth. Childbirth represented the continuation of the tribe’s lineage. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that officials in the United States, in the effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality, started forcing these cultures off their reservations and into hospitals for birth.

In the Medieval period in Europe, childbirth mostly took place in the home and was tended to by a midwife. Herbal remedies and massage were used to help the birthing mother relax, facilitate labor, and prevent infection. The midwife was a key figure as she managed the labor and birth process by providing a calm, familiar environment.

By the time of the Renaissance, there was a better understanding of anatomy and with that came a shift of perception towards birth. With a greater understanding of the human body, childbirth, which had been guided by female midwife overseers, was now being regarded as a medical procedure. There was a rise in the role of male physicians and the once female-dominated field of the midwife was decreasing. As science and medicine grew in popularity during this time, there was a shift from birthing at home to birthing in a hospital with a doctor. This represented the beginning of the popular birthing method we know today.

In the Jewish culture, there are traditions centering around circumcisions for males -the brit milah, naming ceremonies for both genders, and a firstborn redemption called the pidyon haben. Many women will experience a mikveh or traditional ritual bath in their ninth month to seek a spiritual birth. Traditionally, there is no shower or discussion of names until after the baby is born as it is believed to be bad luck. The well-known expression “Mazel-tov” meaning congratulations is often replaced by “ Be-sha’ah tovah” meaning, at the right time. 

In Buddhism, mindfulness and tranquility is an important principle of childbirth. Expectant mothers and their families chant and meditate in order to encourage a peaceful environment to alleviate stress and welcome positive energy for a new baby.

In Hindu culture, childbirth is believed to be a sacred event with divine significance. Pumsavana and Simotannayana are rituals carried out during pregnancy to pursue blessings for the unborn baby and ensure protection for a safe birth. The custom of bringing a new life into the world is highly regarded with the connection between rituals, community, and blessings of various deities.

In African cultures, women birth in a communal setting with elders present to impart wisdom, support, and guidance. Herbal remedies and massage are used to manage the pain of labor and maintain a calm environment for the woman. This alliance of supportive women fortifies the birthing woman to ensure she will not face this experience alone. 

These fascinating traditions carry on and continue to teach a modern culture about the power of community, customs in care, and trust in the process of birth.