As I scan my bookshelf I see books and Bible study guides on the Christian approach to various life situations: finances, friendships, suffering, self-image, living as a Christian in a secular workplace, dating, and marriage… wait, there's that childhood rhyme "first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Suzy with a baby carriage…" Before I even met my husband I was reading books on how a Christian woman could work to make her marriage strong. I listened to radio programs on Christian parenting. So why was it that I was pregnant with my second child before I purchased even one book relating the Bible to pregnancy and childbirth?

When I was pregnant with my first child I had never even heard of the concept of childbirth classes specifically geared toward Christian couples. My husband and I prayed often about the pregnancy, that the baby would be healthy, that the birth would go well. But we never specifically looked to see what the scriptures had to say about childbirth. Why didn't we?

What does the Bible have to say?
We all know what the Bible has to say about childbirth, right? It's right there in the beginning of Genesis-the woman was cursed to give birth with pain! Most of us do not really want to read about pain, so we do not seek out books that we assume are going to tell us that pain is inevitable. We prefer to maintain a blissful ignorance until the last possible moment.

Let's go back and re-read that passage-Genesis 3:13-19. The serpent is cursed. The ground is cursed. But neither the woman nor the man is cursed. The passage in most versions indicates that the woman will have her pain in childbirth greatly increased, but there is very good evidence that is a poor translation of the original text. Many scholars argue that since the same word is applied to the woman in childbirth as to the man in working the ground, and that since this word is normally used to mean hard work or "toil," not "pain" in other passages of scripture; that it is an inaccurate translation to use "pain" in these verses.
This is an important point, because throughout history this passage of scripture has greatly influenced childbirth. For a long period of time pain relief was denied to laboring women because "escaping the pain of childbirth" would mean that they were not atoning for their sins. Even today when medicinal pain relief is widely accepted and used, this passage, along with scare stories readily passed around among women, lead many expectant mothers to believe that childbirth is an unbearably painful ordeal-an idea that often becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Trusting God
What the Bible has to say about childbirth does not stop in Genesis. There are several birth accounts in the Bible that are profitable for the expectant Christian couple to study. In preparation for parenting an infant, it is worthwhile to look at scripture dealing with the breastfeeding relationship between a mother and baby. It is also beneficial to study verses on trusting God, and how He gives us strength to overcome challenging situations. This is very well stated by Dr. William Sears and his wife Martha Sears, R.N. in their book The Complete Book of Christian Parenting & Child Care:

Christian couples should equip themselves with knowledge about the birth process, techniques for coping and preventing pain, and the reassurance of God's promises for them in pregnancy and childbirth. These promises are a tremendous source of strength and blessing, but a source that is often untapped. (1997, 79)

"Wonderfully made…"
When my husband and I were expecting our first child we were encouraged to take independent childbirth classes rather than the standard hospital based classes. By a matter of God's guiding, these classes were taught by a dedicated Christian couple. While the classes did not include a scriptural emphasis, the teachers' innate trust in the beauty of God's creation was evident. They trust the Psalmist who said, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14) They believed that God created the female body to handle the task of childbirth, and their faith was passed to me. I have been blessed to have 4 very low intervention births. The labors have not been easy-true to the scriptures my husband and I have both worked very hard together to bring forth our children. And yes, sometimes that hard work did become painful. But with God's strength, it was never unmanageable or out of control.

 

 

Christian childbirth classes are not about whether it is right or wrong to use pain medications in labor, or if it is right or wrong to breastfeed. I admit to having a bias of believing that from a physiological standpoint, unmedicated birth is the best choice for mother and baby in the absence of complications that require intervention. I also believe that breastfeeding is the method of feeding infants created by God, and provides many benefits for mother and baby (and father-a good excuse to skip 2 a.m. feedings :-). But I do not believe that choices in medication and feeding are moral issues.

The Presence of God
What is a moral issue is that expectant Christian parents prayerfully examine the scriptures and make choices that reflect their trust in God, not their fear of what might happen. Christian and Certified Lactation Counselor Laurie Moody sums it up well when she writes:

...how is it that in every other situation we face as Christian women we totally believe in the power of God to sustain us except this one area? Very few talk about childbirth and trusting God to enable them to do the job. For the most part, women who have the right kind of support and preparation would find that labor can be a tremendously strengthening and spiritual experience. The same God who can "supply all our needs," who is the God of all comfort, is our strong defense and high tower, is our buckler and strength, is the same God who can help us experience every aspect of labor and manage it without undue hardship. When my labor with my third child was not progressing, my husband, doula, doctor and I all joined hands and prayed individually for God to bring the child forth. That was an incredibly strengthening experience! There was a palpable presence in our room of the Great Physician. Nothing but feeling completely in His hands could bring about the peace that I knew. So, how about it? Are you at least willing to pray about it? Become informed and see if it makes a difference in your labor.

"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. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16