Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Improving Birth Practices in Saudi

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
 Photo Credit:  Umm Layth of

The birth experience has lifelong health and emotional affects on women, babies, and families; and thus communities at large. As a responsible member of Saudi society, you have a right and an obligation to ensure that each baby, mother, and family have the best possible start in life, insha'Allah.

The over-medicalised culture of birth in Saudi Arabia is troubling.  Thankfully, there are a lot of efforts being made within the concerned governmental agencies, public and private medical communities, and the community at large to find ways to protect women, babies, and families during this vulnerable time.

On the authority of Abu Sa'Eed al-Khudree (radiAllahu anhu) who said : I heard the Messenger of Allah (SallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) say :

Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then [let him change it] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart - and that is the weakest of faith.

We are reaching out to all those who have an interest in the affects of birthing culture in Saudi Arabia.

Are you willing to answer a series of short surveys over the course of a few weeks (10 to 20 surveys) about your birthing opinions and preferences?

The following people qualify for the survey:

  1. All men and women
  2. Married or single
  3. Over the age of 18
  4. Residing in Saudi.

Click here to take survey

Allah (SWT) is the best of Creators.  We therefore trust that the woman's body is perfectly designed to carry, birth, and feed our babies.  We value lifesaving medical interventions when complications arise.  However, studies prove that with proper diet, exercise, and education, most women can birth naturally, insha'Allah.

We believe that a natural-non-medicated birth, under the non-intrusive observation of trained birth attendants is the safest and gentlest approach to birth and has the best lifelong outcomes.

Our goal is to determine the feasibility of starting birth centers dedicated to natural birth.  Natural birth means birth without medical pain relief or interventions unless truly necessary. 

We realize that awareness and education are paramount as women need to know how to prepare themselves physically, emotionally, and mentally to birth completely naturally.  Families have a right to know their options and the true risks associated with medical routines and elective procedures in order for them to make informed decisions about their birth.

To address this, we plan to create natural childbirth classes that will be sensitive to the culture and religious needs of the region, insha'Allah.  This will provide community awareness and education and preparation to expectant parents who decide to birth naturally.

First we must determine if there is a large enough market for the service.  If so, it will spread awareness of birthing options as well as create flexible, part time jobs for women who wish to teach natural birth classes, insha'Allah.

Assuming this is successful, the next phase, will be a feasibility study for home-like birth centers, staffed with midwives and other natural birth support professionals in Saudi, insha'Allah.

I hope you will give us a few moments of your time and commit to completing these surveys.  It is an important part of the business planning process.

Jazzakallahu Khyrn!

Click here to take survey

5 comments:

  1. Thank YOU! Please share with others you know in Saudi. We need to collect responses to move to the next step, insha'Allah!

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  2. Mashallah May your effort be a success inshallah

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  3. Mashaallah........Seriously, this is well needed....... Birthing classes , breast feeding classes, alternatiive birthing plans such as water births etc....... please if you need any help getting this off the ground I am willing to help.........just respond back and we can exchange phone numbers and emails inshaallah.....Not to mention I am going to give birth next month inshaallah......

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  4. recently just gave birth in a medinah hospital and made a birth plan which the doctors agreed to. birth plan included things like "no episiotomies" and "birthing in different positons, and NOT on back" and no intervention unless absolutely required and my permission was given. they were respectful of my decisions and allowed me to do as i wished, but they simply do not know how to give birth to a woman in any other position than her back, which therefore results in an episiotomy. so i found that you can control somethings, but not everything!

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