ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the period from pregnancy to the birth, that is childbearing, with a focus on the role of healthcare professionals. Meaning is individual and can be related to spiritual questions. Spirituality does not require a religious orientation in order to be embraced; it can speak to secular and religious people alike. The study based on women's diaries shows that 'transition to the unknown' during pregnancy is central, which includes meeting one's life situation, meeting something inevitable and preparing for the unknown. The 'transition to the unknown' includes travelling from the past, through the present, towards the unknown and the future. The life-opening that starts during early pregnancy continues during the birth when forces related to both suffering and strength may be developed, which can be explained with the concept of the 'border situation'. Care during childbearing in many countries is mainly influenced by the medico-technical approach where medical interventions are the main focus.
