Discover Tools & Techniques to Support Muslim Women in Childbirth
Reassess how we understand pain in childbirth. Explore ways to bring Quran and Dhikr into any birth space. Discover how to support hormones that naturally progress labor. Practice non-medical comfort measures such as massage, counter pressure, positions and more. Roll play advocating for Muslim values and needs in a hospital setting.
Challenge our cultural assumptions about birth and identify where they come from. Reflect on what birth is and what our options are for where and how it takes place. This balanced and well-made documentary explores home birth through the lens of women who attend birth in hospitals and choose to have their own children at home. It is a chance to break down stereotypes and open the discussion about maternity care in new ways. As Muslims it’s an opportunity to consider our assumptions in relation to birth, what we can do to make birth a form of worship, and align our choices with Islamic values and ethics.
Presented by birth doula Shannon Costa. As a practicing Muslim, she strives to provide a beautiful spiritual dimension to the women and families she serves. She provides for local Muslim women in pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum; in hospitals, birth centers, and at home. A frequent comment she gets from clients is that they wish home birth were an option. To which she replies, “Why not?” Shannon lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband and two children, one of whom was born at home.
Special guest: Sarah Simmons, Certified Nurse Midwife. She has attended over 1200 home births since 1990 and has been a primary midwife since 1995. She works with Muslim families.
*The film has been visually edited in accordance with Islamic standards for female viewing.
Shannon Costa is a Muslim birth doula and childbirth educator committed to supporting Muslim families in the Greater Chicago area. Shannon is a certified birth doula by Doulas of North America (DONA) International. Shannon has also studied Women’s Fiqh with Dr. Rania Awaad and designs her service in accordance with Islamic law and women’s ritual purity. She believes in the therapeutic nature of trusted female support during childbirth and how beneficial it is for any birth journey. Most importantly, Shannon is committed to serving mothers going through this most intimate experience with care, comfort, encouragement, and respect––no matter the outcome.