Hw 34 - Some Initial Thoughts On Birth.

At this point in time, my most curious thoughts on birth are the ideas that revolve around the mental changes that come along with the physical distress of the whole birthing process. They're obvious physical changes such as the gain in weight, the appearance of stretch marks and loose skin; however what mental changes correlate with the physical ones? The very common affect of depression, and self- image issues that come along with the new appearance gained from being pregnant. Perhaps  the most curious field I want to examine deeper in to,are the results of the 10 month process of mental and physical harm that leads to the finale that makes the process all worth it, the baby/babies.

I feel that birth is the most subconscious aspect of life that exists. Usually by the time your in grade school, you know that you and your siblings were "born" in to this world and understand the basic process of pregnancy. So why is it that seeing a pregnant woman in the bus, or a pregnant woman at work or in the grocery store demand so much visual attention? I've always viewed pregnancy as something blatantly obvious to our society. With so many people walking around the streets, of course one of them is going to be pregnant and ready to give birth. For the two birthing processes that I've been around to witness, my overall point of view on birth has always been simple. I believe the process is meant to be nightmarish, and hard to cope with, therefore the resulting baby is born with already such a strong physical/mental connection. I always believed that the baby is the physical representation of the tedious process that led up to it.      

- Is our society taught to subconsciously isolate those with blatant physical/mental differences? If so, is this why pregnant woman are such a taboo sight?

- Why is birth and pregnancy so censored? Does this make ignorance and inevitable part of birth?

- How would social taboos against the birth and its process be changed if the entire process was eliminated, and the birthing process happened in a matter of hours?