Prayer as Pain Killer

Women are turning to spiritual aids to help with natural childbirth.

BY: Kristen Campbell

c. 2001 Religion News Service

MOBILE, Ala. -- When Bridgette Laubenthal went into labor, she didn't want an epidural or any other anesthetic. She just wanted her rosary recording and a couple crucifixes.

The rosary, she said, reminds her of the Virgin Mary's labor. In particular, when she prays the "Hail Mary" and remembers "the fruit of your womb, Jesus," she thinks of Mary's delivery.

So Laubenthal, a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, played the recording when she was pregnant. Then, as she gave birth to Gabriel Bruce three months ago, she placed two beloved crucifixes before her and listened to that same recording of the rosary. Her hope was that the prayers would offer comfort to both her and her son during the hour of their need. During seven hours of labor, they did.

"She just pulled out all the stops," said Jamie Cordeiro, a registered nurse and the coordinator for childbirth education at Mobile Infirmary. "Everything was centered around her faith."

Laubenthal isn't the only Mobile mother who relied on her faith during what the Bible politely refers to as a woman's "time of...travail."

Cordeiro, who is also certified as a doula--one who provides physical and emotional support during labor--said the percentage of people in childbirth education classes who inquire about natural childbirth has nearly doubled in the past 10 years in Mobile.

"I see an increase in women wanting a natural childbirth," she said. "People realize it's OK to ask your doctor for what you want."

Of those who want natural childbirth, there's a smaller subset who wish to use prayers, religious symbols, or spiritual songs as focal points as they give birth, Cordeiro said.

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