If left alone in labor, the body of a woman produces most easily the baby that is not interfered with by its mother's mind or the assistant's hand. If left alone, just courage and patience are required. Grantly Dick-Read More Quotes by Grantly Dick-Read More Quotes From Grantly Dick-Read A newborn baby has only three demands. They are warmth in the arms of its mother, food from her breasts, and security in the knowledge of her presence. Breastfeeding satisfies all three. Grantly Dick-Read mothers-day food baby The woman in labor must have NO STRESS placed upon her. She must be free to move about, walk, rock, go to the bathroom by herself, lie on her side or back, squat or kneel, or anything she finds comfortable, without fear of being scolded or embarrassed. Nor is there any need for her to be either "quiet" or "good." Grantly Dick-Read stress lying moving It is not only that we want to bring about an easy labor, without risking injury to the mother or the child; we must go further. We must understand that childbirth is fundamentally a spiritual, as well as a physical, achievement. . . The birth of a child is the ultimate perfection of human love. Grantly Dick-Read spiritual mother children Many women have described their experiences of childbirth as being associated with a spiritual uplifting, the power of which they have never previously been aware. To such a woman, childbirth is a monument of joy within her memory. She turns to it in thought to seek again an ecstasy which passed too soon. Grantly Dick-Read uplifting spiritual memories No other natural bodily function is painful and childbirth should not be an exception Grantly Dick-Read birth painful pregnancy Male science disregards female experiences because it can never share them. Grantly Dick-Read males female share It is as great a crime to leave a woman alone in her agony and deny her relief from her suffering as it is to insist upon dulling the consciousness of a natural mother who desires above all things to be aware of the final reward of her efforts, whose ambition is to be present, in full possession of her senses, when the infant she already adores greets her with its first loud cry and the soft touch of its restless body upon her limbs. Grantly Dick-Read agony ambition mother Fear can be overcome only by Faith. Grantly Dick-Read birthing birth overcoming What manner of mind considers this holy estate [pregnancy] which women are privileged by the Almighty to attain as a slur upon the social conscience? Grantly Dick-Read holy mind pregnancy Fear can be overcome by faith. Grantly Dick-Read overcoming inspiring
