The urge to care, to love and to give birth are all suggested by dreams of birth. It may be both a spiritual - and, therefore, an unselfish - need as well as an emotional one. Psychologically, we are coming to terms with our own existence and perhaps are recognizing our own validity. We tend to dream of birth at the beginning of a new way of life, a new attitude, new ability, or a new project ? also when we become aware of the death of old ways of being. A woman will often dream of small animals and fish as she approaches pregnancy and birth. A man is more likely to dream of protecting the child or the mother in some fashion.