When a Muslim woman is giving birth, how does she tackle issues related to modesty?

[NinaGucci]

Firs of all...the title is kind of strange..what has modesty have to do with giving birth or even hidjab....if a woman is wearing hijab..it's not because she's modest..it's her dress code choice inspired from Islamic rules...(because millions of hijabi women are not modest, and in the coran, modesty is not the reason for dressing like this) but anyways, this is not the subject...
When a woman is feeling pain and happiness at the same time, when this is the most important moment of her life...I doubt that our wonderful religion is gonna make her think of the sex of the very competent doctor treating her!!!
Again..some strangely cultured men and women will insist that a man is not anywhere around the woman during this moment or even in the 9months of follow up...even if it's the husband...
for ex in Al Khials article, he mentions a husband who was reading the newspaper the whole time while his wife was giving birth....is this logical?...is this anything to do with Islam??!!...I am personally tired of all these muslims who behave in their own cultural way and then pretend that this is an Islamic behaviour?!!! I am sorry but..it has nth to do with our religion.
In Islam, the father of the child is OBLIGATED to be present even when his wife is half naked in front of doctors and nurses...this is an extremelly painful moment, the patient might even present further complications even leading to death!
It is, also, becoming extremelly annoying for hospitals to try to respect these kind of patients choices....but...a muslim needs to think of all the consequences he's driving...sometimes hospitals have only 1 obstetrician present in the ER when a woman needs to give birth at 1am!! and unfortunately for this muslim couple, he's a MAN! so?..are they gonna run away to another hospital?..r they gonna refuse treatement?..is the husband gonna hide full of shame?...is the couple gonna insist on bringing another obstetrician from somewhere else?...the woman is suffering from High blood pressure or Anemia..is the couple still gonna go with a midwife rather than waiting for a real doctor?....all these are questions these muslims need to ask themselves before seeking for this simple solution of just saying NO to everything because the wife is SOOO MODEST?!
In these situation, what matters is the HEALTH and LIFE of the mother and her baby...nobody thinks of how your wife looks like...or what's her religion or anything like that...so, you do not need to worry about stupide issues...
As for food, hospital food is regulated, and a high protein, calcium and vitamine supplement is on the menu..something that is rarely present in pork for example...as of Hallal meat, some hospitals dont have it, and some dont allow patients to eat food, and sometimes, the patient leaves just after birth...conclusion is: there re arrangements and in the worst case scenario..you are not going to HELL because of this!
I think...the fact that making this as a national issu and writing articles about it shows the high number of muslims who are creating more problems to hospitals in non muslim countries....eventhough, these hospitals and the staff make more efforts than these muslims to find suitable arrangements...did you see in muslim hospitals a menu with Pork for non muslim patients?...did you see muslim hospitals arranging non muslim doctors for non muslim patients?...!!!??
We respect the patients...but this respect must be mutual...the patient has the right te REFUSE anything..but at the same time, he is obligated by our religion (and the law) to think of the consequences of his selfisheness and to always take in consideration the community and the organisation he is seeking treatement at.
Let's be a little more civilised than this....

[HOUDA-K]

Everyone rights should be respected and if a wo/man wants to been attended to by the same sex then it is that person’s right. They have the right to feel comfortable and to be respected. Nowadays, you are asked if you would prefer to have the same sex dr and I personally have not been made to feel uncomfortable if I ask for a female dr.

Hospitals cater for special meal requirements whether for dietary or religious needs and refusing a meal because of those reasons again should be respected and understood.

Please let us refrain from generalisations as this is completely unnecessary and only promotes stereotypes.

That aside, speaking as a Muslim woman, yes I do put my religion first & foremost, we all deal with things differently and try to make the best decision out of a situation that we feel is right for us. I can understand that there are possible scenarios that makes things awkward & uncomfortable but just by asking questions can help you understand that person’s needs - of course if it’s with our capability to do so.

[SonyaM]

I think that every woman would feel differently regarding this subject. I am not a muslim, but i DO feel uncomfortable allowing a male doctor to examine me. I like to keep my body covered from other men where possible.

I do not have children and i do not know how i would feel whilst giving birth, so i cannot comment on this. But from what i understand from friends and family who have had children, apparently you don't care quite so much when in all that pain, although no doubt i will still be asking for a female where possible! Obviously if none is available, a man will have to do, but would still try for a woman where possible. I would not risk my health or my babies health just because a female doctor/midwife was not available.

[Bent_Bladi]

it's nice to hear the opinions of different POVs

[ammena]

masha'allah very informative post. JazakAllah khair

[Shotokan_Karate]

Well said Nina!

Just a couple of things which I think are miscalculated arguments to make a point, but that which you addressed very well in your concluding statement:

...did you see in muslim hospitals a menu with Pork for non muslim patients?

You're mixing "musts" with "wants" here.

Ask yourself: Which religion/belief/ideology obliges it's followers to eat pork? Christianity?! On the contrary!

If a non-Muslim patient wants to eat pork (i.e. just because they fancy it) in a Muslim hospital well they just have to order something else there, as pork is not a must for them whereas, we, must not eat (and therefore handle and serve) pork.

...did you see muslim hospitals arranging non muslim doctors for non muslim patients?...!!!??

It possibly occurs. But has there been such a requirement? (This clinic caters for Muslims and non-Muslims alike)

Is the issue about the preferences of gender specific doctors or that of religion specific doctors?

One could ask the question: Does the Muslim patient have to have a Muslim doctor, and a non-Muslim patient a non-Muslim doctor? Is there an obligation or is this about making things difficult just for the sake of it?

Nevertheless, in this case, why not?! It's a non-Muslim's "want" that does not infringe a Muslim's "must". If you get what I mean.

It is when conflicting "musts" meet that things can become complicated, but with mutual respect like you said, understanding and a little common sense one can always find a solution.

As for the topic at hand, Sis Houda gave an excellent reply:

When giving birth, dignity & modesty are out the door.

Every sane person knows that in times of emergency, rules and requirements can't always be met. I personally think the question is too silly to deserve an answer. Can't some Muslims use their common sense and get their priorities right for once! Honestly!

[HOUDA-K]

Unfortunately, common sense isn't common. Yak ?