On International Midwives Day, FlowBirthing turns three years old

The successful network has become a pioneer of a movement for the new birth culture

Given the dramatic situation in obstetrics, more and more women are looking for support for their right to a natural birth. FlowBirthing provides valuable educational work and supports expectant mothers and parents with innovative projects and offers.

Obstetrics in crisis

International Midwifery Day is celebrated every year on 5 May in more than 50 countries to draw attention to the important contribution that obstetrics makes to society. Midwifery is one of the oldest professions in the world and was recently nominated for the international UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Despite this, overwork and high liability risks are leading to increasingly difficult working conditions for midwives in Germany. In many rural regions, there are often no hospitals with obstetric wards at all: "In one of the richest countries in the world, women can no longer find midwives and are turned away from clinics because delivery rooms are overcrowded. This violates the dignity of mother and child," complains Kristina Marita Rumpel , lecturer in midwifery at Fulda University of Applied Sciences and co-initiator of FlowBirthing.

In response to the increasing deterioration and trend towards further mechanization of obstetric care, the network has been successfully campaigning for natural and self-determined births for three years now and supports expectant mothers with a wide range of advice, information and courses.

FlowBirthing as a positive countermovement

"FlowBirthing educates and strengthens women's self-confidence and trust in the female body and female power," Rumpel sums up her mission. Without knowledge of the deeper connections and the truly beneficial factors, giving birth naturally on one's own is no longer possible. But the circle of supporters and mothers who have experienced wonderful pregnancies and births through FlowBirthing is growing. Thanks to the now well over 420 network partners and multipliers, society is also becoming more aware that something needs to change in the situation of obstetric care. There are now already 15 specially trained FlowBirthing mentors who accompany women through pregnancy on an equal footing and answer their questions and concerns openly and confidentially. The next online training program to become a FlowBirthing mentor starts in May 2018 - registrations are still possible.

Since December 2017, there has also been an online community for pregnant women at www.myflowbirthing.de , which brings together old knowledge and the latest findings and prepares women holistically for the desire to have children, pregnancy and birth. Together with HypnoBirthing course leader Marlene Stöckel and mental trainer Sabrina Hufnagl, Kristina Rumpel shows alternative ways to a natural birth. Because having a child is more than just a physical process, it is always also a spiritual experience.

Perspectives for the new birth culture

"In the 21st century, it is time for women to be able to give birth again in such a way that they emerge from the birth experience strengthened as women and mothers," says the expert for a new birth culture for the future of FlowBirthing. Numerous positive experiences and moving stories from pregnant women who have found themselves again through giving birth encourage her in her efforts. But there is still a lot to be done before the new awareness has reached all parts of society.

The next project planned, for example, is so-called FlowBirthing Cafés, where women can use the network to campaign for the new birth culture in their respective city - partly promoted by the local women's representatives. In Flensburg, pregnant women and women who want to have children have been invited under this name once a month since 2018 to exchange ideas with like-minded people and obstetric professionals.

A particular concern - for which there are currently no offers - is a separate course program for men. On the one hand, they often have more fears than the pregnant women themselves, and on the other hand, the desire to become a real partner and optimal birth companion leads to completely new perspectives and opportunities to participate in the happy event.

FlowBirthing Internet portal:
www.flowbirthing.com

Book tip:
Kristina Rumpel: FlowBirthing. Born from a wave of joy. Mankau Verlag 2015, paperback, full color, 160 pages, 18.90 euros (D) / 19.50 euros (A), ISBN 978-3-86374-234-8

CD tip:
Kristina Rumpel: FlowBirthing. Awaken your primal power for the miracle of birth! Meditations, affirmations, mantras and music for life. Mankau Verlag 2015, audio CD, total running time approx. 68 minutes, 15 euros (D/A), ISBN 978-3-86374-239-3

Link recommendations:
More information about the "FlowBirthing" guide
More information about the audio CD "FlowBirthing"
To the reading sample in PDF format
More about Kristina Rumpel
To the Internet forum with Kristina Rumpel
To the Facebook page of FlowBirthing