Book on Natural Childbirth from the LDS perspective

Through my struggles with PTSD after childbirth, I never questioned my faith as a Latter-day Saint. I knew that my Father in Heaven would give me the strength and love to overcome my difficulties, and that with his help I would learn what I needed to give birth again, but in a better way the next time. Through my Savior's atonement, I did not need to continue to suffer with the anguish that was inside me, and because he "descended below all things" Jesus knew what I was experiencing.

However, I did begin to question other aspects of my faith. And that included the organization and leadership of the church's role and responsibility to teach about Heavenly Father's will when it comes to how our babies are born. It seemed to me that the leadership of the church counsels on so many closely related topics including parenting, disciplining children, strengthening marriage relationships, financial responsibility, the dangers of pornography to family units, substance abuse, depression,etc. So why not attack that Satan is launching to undermine the initial attachment of mothers and babies?

I still don't know the answer to that question. But I found something that gave me hope. An LDS mother, Susana Fierro-Baig, has written a book entitled "A Christ Centered Birth: Applying Priniples of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Childbearing." In it, she describes why the majority of LDS women turn to the medicalized model of birth when bearing their children, as well as why Satan desires this. She then applies scriptures, LDS doctrine and quotes from General Authorities, apostles and prophets to how husbands and wives can invite the Spirit of the Lord into their birth, just as they strive to have their marriages and families led by the Spirit, following the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In my experience, I found that giving birth in a hospital, and following the medicalized mmodel of birth is contradictory to the principles of the gospel. Of course, hospitals are sometimes appropriate settings for birth when the health of either the mother or baby is in jeopardy (a slight percentage of the time). But normal birth does not belong in hospitals--where women are not allowed to follow their instincts which are directed by the Spirit of God, their privacy and bodily integrity are infringed upon, and their husbands are pushed aside so strangers can take his place.

I'm greatful to have found this book and I look forward to reading it in its entirety. Currently, it is not available in print, only as an online download. But I hope at some point, the book is made more widely available to LDS, and other Christian women who can learn from the author's words.