by Kara Spencer, Maia Healing Arts 

The art of women supporting women in childbirth is seen not only in throughout the history of humankind, but in the animal world as well. Elephants in the wild have midwives who surround them in a circle during their labor, protecting the pregnant mother and swaying along with the laboring elephant. The elephant midwives may care for the pregnant elephants throughout their long gestation of 21-22 months, in labor, and through infancy.

In labor, the elephant midwives may stroke the mother and make sounds along with the laboring elephant. Within the circle of birth, the midwives protect the laboring elephant and assist the newborn to be released from the amniotic sac, stand up, and take its first steps. The baby elephant can stand on its own within fifteen minutes of birth.

In John Robbins book Reclaiming Our Health  he retells the story of a mother elephant in labor at a zoo.

When an elephant went into labor in an American zoo, the zookeepers put her in her own enclosure, isolating her from the other elephants. As her labor progressed, however, the elephant became distressed and began thrashing about violently. Recognizing that something was going terribly wrong, the officials quickly telephoned a European zoo where an elephant had recently given birth successfully. When the Americans described what was happening, the Europeans were shocked. "Where are the midwives," they demanded.  "Where are the other female elephants to help with the delivery?"

The Americans immediately complied with the Europeans' instructions. As soon as they were allowed into the area with the birthing mother, the other female elephants rushed to her and began to assist her, stroking her with their trunks, calming her with their presence, and helping her to complete her labor. After the newborn elephant emerged, the midwives cleaned the baby and took care of her while the mother rested. 

The wisdom of the elephant midwives, demonstrates the power of the circle of midwives, to protect the birthing mother from unnecessary disturbances, isolation, and fear. No wonder so many women are fearful and distressed birthing in hospitals today when alone and labor is interrupted with numerous nurses, technicians, and doctors. The tender care  of women, and the love of trusted companions  are powerful aids in instinctive birth for all mammals.