The Paradox of Empowerment

Empowerment is a word that is now being used a lot when talking about birth. This makes a lot of sense. People giving birth want to take this often scary and uncertain event, and turn the experience of birth into a positive exerience; instead of just something you have to endyre to get your baby. The goal is laudable, but the problem is, most of the media being sold to us as "empowering" is actually pushing values that don't meet the defenition of empowerment. 

What does empowerment mean? Let's define it just so we are on the same page. According to google's ai overview, empowerment is Empowerment is "the process of giving power, authority, or freedom to individuals or groups so they can control their lives, make decisions, and achieve their goals". 

In today's culture we see an alignment with the term "empowered" and the natural birth industry. When we look at what information the natural birth industry disperses to pregnant people, we see largely the Lamaze six healthy birth practices and other aligned views. This usually means telling women to avoid pain medication and any "unnecessary" interventions. There is a belief that c-sections and inductions are not ideal and should be avoided, and a strong push towards exclusive breastfeeding.

While there is nothing wrong with low intervention birth, going unmedicated, vaginal delivery, or breastfeeding, it is short sighted and very priveledged to believe that all parents can, are able to, or want to hold these same values. By attributing value to a certain set of outcomes and choices, we are demonizing the opposite outcomes which naturally makes them less desireable as they are then attached with fear, worry, guilt, and shame from peers. It doesnt matter what the celebrated outcome is, by celebrating one outcome over another, the alternative becomes demonized and is inherently removed from the list of options. Following this line of thinking, it could be said that the natural birth industry is removing choice from the process. Removing choice is not only not empowerment, but in our view, disempowerment.

A truly empowering birth would be devoid of pressure and shame. We all have different lived experiences and we all need different things. In the WOMB Online Basics of Childbirth Course, we strive to keep every option open to you and never to make you feel like your needs make you a bad parent.