Bonding and Birth Methods
Sat Mar 08, 2008 at 11:52:31 AM PDT
I’m not a mother...yet. This is the first month that we’ve been ready and able to really get down. So, of course, more and more questions spring to mind.
I am very curious to hear your opinions about the possible impact that the method of birth has on mother/infant bonding.
A few days ago, I watched The Business of Being Born which is a documentary on midwifery. Don’t worry; I saw that it was the topic of a thread here in May of last year. It is not my intention to rehash the safety and feminist issues previously raised but to focus on the issue of bonding with regard to different birth methods.
The film is advocating home births and in my opinion, the most compelling reason presented for choosing this route is the premise that a more organic and solid bond between mother and infant tends to occur after home births. Apparently, the stronger bonding is due to the mother’s full participation as well as the low-key home environment as opposed to the imposing and sterile hospital environment.
Of course, it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has the option of delivering at home and also that millions of mothers who give birth in hospitals, even with maximum interference, go on to form powerful and lasting bonds with their babies.
I realize that his is a touchy subject and a personal choice. I never bonded with my mother. I honestly doubt that this has a whole lot to do with the fact that I was born in the hospital; there have been many other factors. However, in the interest of doing everything in my power to ensure a bond with my own child, I am interested to hear your views on this issue.
