Birth Guru

This Dharma quote relates nicely to birth work:

"Sometimes we put our glasses in our pockets or on our heads and later we ask, "Where are my glasses?" This is quite common. We look everywhere else without finding our glasses. That is why we need the guru, who can say to us, "There are your glasses." That is all that the Mahamudra and Dzogchen teachers do: they simply point out. What they are pointing out is something that you already have.
It is not something that they give you. They do not give you new glasses. They cannot afford to give you new glasses, but they can afford to point out where you can find your own glasses.

When we receive pointing-out instructions from our root teacher, we are being introduced directly and nakedly to the reality of mind's nature. These instructions become very effective if we have prepared ourselves to receive them."

Think of your midwives and doulas as your guru - they are there to simply point out and remind you of all that you are CAPABLE of doing as a woman. Birthing is a natural capability that women are born with. If we believe in her, and remind her of what she is doing, her body will do what it knows.

If your care provider does not believe that your body can birth...consider interviewing new providers. Your OB or midwife is there in case of emergency only, and must respect the process of birth for all that it is.