Making Labor and Child-Birth Easier

Abstract

In most of the rural areas in India, bringing humanity to the light of day is collectively and deftly managed by the dai along with other experienced women and the laboring woman herself. Women still have confidence and skills centered around child-birth. Their warm encouragement and natural support of labor enables the birthing woman to move through this event with courage, power and ease.

Traditionally, in giving birth a woman is believed to gain a second life. The relatives' and the dai's concern is deep for the well-being of both woman and child. The dai's practices and rituals are meant to help and make labor and child-birth smoother and faster. Labor is handled spontaneously.