Posts Tagged ‘bradley method’

Conquering the Fear (childbirth without dismay)

 Nothing in life is to be feared.  It is only to be understood.  ~Marie Curie

I once heard a story about two kids who were trying to help a new butterfly to emerge from its cocoon. The result was devastating, as when the butterfly was delivered from its cocoon, it did not have those beautiful full wings.

What had happened? Apparently this is a part of the struggle the caterpillar goes through when it is emerging from its cocoon… The struggle helps to develop strong, beautiful wings….

Could it be that as women we also need a struggle during labour to become beautiful, strong mothers, who are able to meet the challenges of motherhood?

Could it be that we need labour to birth our children, not to be delivered from them.

Could it be that we need labour  to learn to love ourselves and to learn to trust our bodies, to learn to listen to our instincts…

 There is so much fear in our society associated with childbirth, and yet it is the most ancient and proven-to-succeed “technology” of our bodies.

I always wonder where those fears come from. What is their origin? While I’m searching for answers to these questions it looks like those fears and superstitions around childbirth are definitely well maintained by the media, Hollywood and medical authorities.

 Fear plays a huge role in our ability (or actually inability) to birth peacefully, drug free and joyfully.

When we are fearful or anxious our body produces certain hormones, which have a tensing affect on our muscles, blood is drawn away from internal organs to extremities, as body enters “fight or flight” mode.

On the contrarily when labour begins a woman needs to be as open as possible and as relaxed as possible.

Easier said than done, you might think.

 Well, the first step in conquering that fear of childbirth is to understand the process.

The more you and your partner know about labour, what is happening and why, the more confident you will be with your body functions and the process itself.

Part of that knowledge is to understand medical procedures, their pros and cons, and to know your options as an educated consumer.

The next step is to learn what you can do to stay healthy and low risk during pregnancy, how you can prepare your body for the physical challenge of labour.

Last, but definitely not least, is how your partner can get ready to be involved during labour, how he can support you and become your labour coach, not just an observer with no control over the situation.

Fear can survive only in the midst of uncertainty…

The more you do as a couple to build up confidence in each other and in the birth process itself, the less you will feel the grip of fear, the less you will succumb to its debilitating power.

You will face the challenges of childbirth with delight and understanding how valuable it is for you and your child.

You will bring out the best in yourself, the best in each other and the best in your care provider so you can give birth with confidence and joy.

You will develop those strong, big and beautiful wings which will help you to fly over the challenges of parenthood.