Rumour of angels and heavenly midwives: anthropology of transpersonal events and childbirth.
Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives March 1, 2007 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2006.10.002 via PubMed
Summary
Some women experience non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC) during childbirth, which can be understood through transpersonal psychology. Anthropological fieldwork in Auckland, New Zealand (2001–2006) collected stories from mothers, fathers, and midwives about such events. The analysis compares these NOSC with ethnographic accounts of spirit-possession and indigenous midwifery, and reinterprets Medieval European witch-hunts. Midwives are encouraged to recognize and support NOSC in labor, as many women find strength and wisdom through these states. The topic also matters for men present as fathers or health professionals.
Study at a glance
| Design | ethnography |
|---|---|
| Population | mothers, fathers, and midwives in Auckland, New Zealand |
| Key finding | Non-ordinary states of consciousness during childbirth can be understood through transpersonal psychology, and midwives should learn to identify and support them. |
Abstract
Some contemporary women can experience non-ordinary states of consciousness when childbearing. The purpose of this paper is to bring a 'transpersonal' frame to these non-ordinary states of consciousness (hereafter: NOSC). Transpersonal psychology is an interdisciplinary movement in Western science that studies 'religious', 'peak' or 'healing' experiences in different cultures and social contexts. Between 2001 and 2006 in Auckland, New Zealand, while engaged in anthropological fieldwork, I collected stories from mothers, fathers, and midwives who had participated in transpersonal events during childbirth. I will compare the local women's NOSC with ethnographic accounts of spirit-possession and its relationship to indigenous midwifery then revisit and reconstruct the witch-hunts of Medieval Europe from this perspective. Midwives are encouraged to learn to identify and support women's NOSC during labour and birth as many women find strength and wisdom by passing through these states in labour. The subject is also critical to men, whether they are present with women and birth as fathers or health professionals. The hoped for result of this inquiry is to revalorise NOSC among birth-giving mothers, and to educate birth attendants in this field.