Bechina: Miracles in Childbirth

From Ohr Avigdor Shaar Habechina by Rabbi Avigdor Miller 

We have midwives and obstetricians, but a woman may even give birth without any help at all. This is because the entire process is directed from Heaven and the birth occurs at the designated time, when all the conditions are right.

​At that time the walls of the uterus become softer and more pliable and the passage is remarkably enlarged, so that a large baby comes out. Truly this is a miracle and it all takes place without anybody’s assistance. 

---

Every aspect of the delivery is governed by the Divine plan. During the birth the baby’s head is pliable and rubbery. It may even be compressed as it comes out. The baby’s head may be a little elongated when it appears, but after a while it regains its proper form. If the baby’s skull was hard, like that of an older person, it might not be able to get out. But since it’s soft it yields. The mother’s tissue is also soft and yielding and together a miracle takes place, so that a living baby emerges from a small aperture. It’s almost as though we can see Hashem with our own eyes when we think about these things.

Every aspect of childbirth is governed by Divine plan

Who knows the time that animals should give birth? Who is there to supervise the process and make sure that it turns out according to schedule? And so Hashem is on hand even for the wild animals. Despite the complexity of the process, animals succeed in giving birth because Hashem has arranged in His system that every species is able to survive.

​We see here that the process of being born is a matter of timing, engineering, and planning by Hashem, and therefore we have an obligation to think about it. Every human being was personally involved in this process and every human being should be grateful to Hashem that he was born. Unfortunately, there are sometimes complications in the birth process, causing the baby to lose some of its natural abilities. A baby can be born brain dead as a result of the long wait before the birth. But thankfully the majority of cases are so expeditiously executed that the baby comes out perfect and unharmed. And so everyone needs to thank Hashem. 

Climb the Ladder: Recall a situation you know or read about when a child was not born healthy and well. Thank Hashem for each of your children that did not suffer such an outcome. If you have no children (and even if you do!) express thanks for your own birth.