Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Birthing from Within

Pregnancy and birth is a universal experience, rituals vary around the world. But the pain and the fear are common facts all around the globe.

Fear activates the nervous system to produce adrenalin, which can reduce contractions, then makes labour difficult. To enter into an effective birthing process, it’s important to balance the fear factor. However, this fear feeling also brings fears to our consciousness, so we can eliminate it. Like if we look at our fears in the eyes! Worrying eventually activates the search for resources, inside and outside of us.

When the brain perceives pain, endorphins are released to help women cope. These hormones are meant to relieve the pain, and elevate the mood. A high level of endorphins basically helps to shift our mindset to a primitive and instinctive one.
Experiencing such a level of pain forces the mum of going to the edge, and beyond. Mothers need to give it their all, moment by moment. Overcoming this pain can be powerful, and help women to take awareness of this beautiful step in their life. Indeed, this book reminds us that childbirth is a rite if passage, not only a medical event. Experiencing pain helps to know us better. Also, practicing pain-coping methods all along pregnancy builds awareness, focus up to our subconscious.

Many ways of overcoming the pain and fear are proposed in the book.

“Basic tips” are first reminded to the women, such as drinking regularly, eating small portions to keep the energy level up. Creating a comfortable and safe environment: massage, nice and pre-selected music, aromatherapy, privacy...  But the most important to cope with pain, in the present moment, probably relies on old, trustful techniques: stop thinking, relax and breathe!
Letting it go, without worrying about our own image, about judgment, without the fear of “losing it” will make the birthing smoother. Remain natural, and do what feels natural.

Be open and open yourself to others! Spending time and sharing stories with other mums , staying connected with the father or working with a doula is of great support, during the pregnancy and the birthing. Finally, connecting with the baby can lead to a strong partnership!

Different types of self-expression and art therapy are proposed too, such as making a birth art piece, a sculpture, a drawing.  Having a mental picture of us giving birth is a good way to take awareness of the baby and of the birthing. It also helps to become more active in the process.

Scaling the pain, from 0 to 100, helps to differentiate pain from suffer, then to act accordingly and expand our pain tolerance.
Exploring different birthing options is also another good way to become aware of our wishes and become active. Between home birth, water birth, many options are now possible in a safe environment. Taking a stand on positions to give birth is worthwhile too: hands and knees, kneeling, squatting, siting. The very frequent “back” option is probably one of the less effective and natural for women though!



Luckily, as the book states it, nature prepared women’s bodies for the pain of childbirth!

Book: Birth From Within. Pam England and Rob Horowitz


No comments:

Post a Comment