Dear Doctor/Dear God

Shannon Hunter posted this on http://www.midwifetobe.com/. I thought it was eye-opening and beautiful and wanted to share it with my readers. Enjoy!

Dear Doctor,

Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown?

Because I have no way to know when exactly a woman conceived.Fear not, for I induce labor by 41 weeks if you have not gone intolabor on your own by then.
Why is the end of pregnancy often restless, uncomfortable, andemotional?
It is often restless because of the size of the belly, and thehormones in the body.It is uncomfortable because of the added weight, the weight of thebaby, and the size of the belly.It is emotional due to the many hormones that your body is producingin this time.Fear not, for I have medications for the restlessness. I will tellyou to not lift a finger if pregnancy becomes too uncomfortable, andpromise an induction as soon as you're past term. I have medicationsfor the emotions, and as soon as you rid your body of that fetus,your hormones will regulate.

Why is labor gradually more painful as time goes on?

It is increasingly more painful because the body is opening for baby.If your bones are too small, then the pain will be harder, and oftenpointless. If the baby is not in a good position, it will make itharder and more painful, and the baby may not come out on his own. Fear not, for I have drugs and anesthesia to numb you from the pain.If the baby is too big or in a bad position, I will cut him out sothat you will not suffer. Fear not, for I will not allow you to gotoo long in labor.

Are there risks with these drugs?

Very little. You need not worry about them, because you will needthem to get through the pains of labor. Why should you have tosuffer, when I can relieve the pain? Do not worry about the risk toyour baby, because you need to be comfortable so that you can enjoybaby after the birth. Yes, there is a risk that the labor will slow,that the baby will become distressed, or that you may not be able topush the baby out effectively. ..But fear not, because if the labor slows, I have drugs to make laborcome back faster. Fear not, because if the baby becomes distress, Iwill cut him out so that he does not suffer. Fear not, because if youcannot push him out, I will use forceps or I will cut him out of yourbody.

Why is the urge to push said to be unbearable?

The urge to push is only felt if you do not have drugs or anesthesiain your body. This is not necessary, as I will tell you when yourcervix is fully dilated, and when you will be allowed to push. I willtell you when your baby is ready.Fear not, for I will not allow you to suffer by pushing for too long.If you cannot push the baby out, I will rescue him with forceps or acesarean.

What is the purpose of the 'ring of fire' when pushing?

You need not worry about this if you have epidural anesthesia. Youneed not feel this painful sensation at all, and I do not like mypatients to suffer. I will tell you when your baby's head isemerging, and if the baby's head is slow to come, I will simply cutyour flesh. If I need to cut it, I will repair it with sutures.Fear not, for I am skilled with the scissors and repair techniques.

Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?

They darken due to hormones. No need to worry, as they will return tonormal within the months after birth, if you bottle feed.Fear not, for they will be pretty again.

Why will my breasts leak milk after giving birth?

This is the body's normal reaction to birth. Don't worry though, asthe milk will dry off and you will be rid of the heaviness within afew weeks of birth, if you bottle feed. Yes, breastmilk is best, butno one should expect a mother to feed a baby from the breast if shedoes not like the idea. The formula companies are always improvingtheir design, to make it more like breastmilk. And don't worry aboutthe chemicals in formula, as they are in such small amounts that theywill surely not affect your baby.Fear not, for you do not have to cause your breasts to be saggy...Iwill send you home with free samples of the second best nutrition foryour baby.

Dear God,

Why is the exact duration of a woman's pregnancy unknown to her?

Because each baby develops at a different pace in the womb, and isready to be born only in their own time.Fear not, and have patience, for I have a perfect Birth Day for everybaby.

Why did You make it so that the end of pregnancy is often restless,uncomfortable, and emotional?

I made it restless so that your body will be ready for the nightfeedings with your baby.I made it uncomfortable so that you will be ready to face thesensations of birth, that will bring forth your baby.I made it emotional so that you will be prepared for the manyemotions that come in the moment you see the fruit of your womb forthe first time, and in the months of adjustment to motherhood after.Fear not, for I created you to have strength and endurance.

Why did You make labor to be increasingly strong and painful?

So that you may learn to work through the birth pangs in each stage,and take them one at a time, rejoicing in the increasing strength andknowing that your baby is near. I made it so that the contractionsgrow in strength and intensity so that each one may bring the babylower, and direct baby to be in the best position. I made laborsensations so that you may respond to your body with each need, andin knowing when baby is ready for you to begin pushing.Fear not, for I created you to be strong and able.

Why did You make the urge to push so unbearable?

So that you would begin to push, only at the perfect time. If youbegin to push before this unbearable urge, you will likely push muchlonger than you need to. I created this urge so that you would know,without doubt, when the baby is ready to emerge from the womb.Fear not, for I created it this way so that you would not exhaustyour body in pushing before your body and your baby are ready.

Why did You create the 'ring of fire' when pushing?

So that you would feel clearly when the baby's head is ready toemerge, and push slowly, so as to not tear your flesh.Fear not, for I created your skin to stretch slowly, allowing forbaby's head. I created your tissue to tear along only the weakestspots, if a tear is necessary. These tears will heal well on theirown.

Why did You create labor and birth to be so hard for most women?

Labor and birth will not be painful for every woman, but every womanwill have hard work in labor. This is a part of the curse of Adam andEve, a part of your entry into motherhood. Just as the men are calledupon to work hard to provide for their family, women are called uponto work hard to bring forth the life of their womb. Hard work inlabor and birth will prepare you for the task and honor of being amother. With motherhood comes hard work. Physically, mentally,emotionally hard work. Labor and birth open the door for the task youwill be faced with.Fear not, for I also created birth to have a reward. I created yourbody to release the highest amount of endorphins that will ever beknown to your body, if you leave labor and birth to My design.Hindering the process will not bring this release though, so knowthat the hard work of labor serves a purpose, and is not withoutreward.

Why do women's nipples darken during pregnancy?

So that the newborn at birth, whose eyesight is yet blurry, may findthe breast and be well nourished.Fear not, for I created it so that baby may always find his way tohis mother's breast, and find comfort and health.

Why do my breasts leak milk after giving birth?

So that you may provide your baby with the perfect nutrition.Colostrum so thick with fat and protein, perfect for the newlybirthed baby. Breast milk that comes in at the perfect time, in twoparts. First, thinner to quench the baby's thirst. Second, thickhindmilk to fill baby's belly. Each feeding is filled with differenttastes, and different textures. This prepares baby for toddler hood,when he will begin to taste the first solid foods of his life.Through nursing at the breast, a baby develops a strong, healthy jaw,and is filled with antibodies, vitamins, and essential fatty acids. A baby also receives the warmth of his mother's breast, the smell ofher skin, and the sound of her heart.Fear not, for I created breastmilk to be the most perfect food foryour baby.