Is it Naive to Think You Can Influence Your Birth?
DID YOU HEAR about the woman who had an orgasmic birth? She spent most of her labour in the birthing pool reaching for the high notes. What do you think about that?
You might also have heard the one about the woman who said she enjoyed her baby’s birth so much she wanted to do it all again the next day. Isn’t that crazy?
Isn’t it naive to even think you have any control over your baby’s birth?
Are women who prepare for birth, or visualise an ideal birth, or create a birth plan living in la-la land?
Do you think they’re setting themselves up for a whopping disappointment?
Would it surprise you to know that they are not living in la-la land? Understanding the physiology and psychology of birth is an enormous step in the right direction towards an empowering birth experience. Let’s keep it real here, the truth is no-one can guarantee you the birth of your dreams, but you can massively stack the odds in your favour of that birth by thinking, breathing, moving and acting in a certain way.
Fact.
This is not some fantasy land.
This is based on science, physiology, and evidenced by birth.
When a labouring woman experiences fear, tension or pain in her body specific hormones are released that slow down labour = more effort, less progress, and a fast track to medical intervention, an increasing dependency on pain relief, or the need for instrumental delivery. Of course YES there are curveballs, and sometimes stuff happens that means intervention or assistance is a woman’s first choice, a necessary choice, and a life-saving choice.
There is no universal perfect birth. It’s a personal choice based on the birthing woman, her preferences, and her baby’s needs on the day.
But do you agree that knowing how to breathe to give the body what it requires for more effective and less painful contractions would be useful? That intentionally flooding the body with the hormones it needs for a more comfortable labour would be beneficial? How reassured would you feel if you knew the right questions to ask your midwife or consultant, and how not to panic every time you felt a contraction?
The bottom line is that you cannot NOT influence your birth. You cannot choose to NOT be involved in the process because you already are involved whether you are aware or not. Even if you consciously choose to do nothing in preparation for your baby’s birth you are still positively or negatively influencing the outcome.
How you are feeling, what you are doing, what you are thinking ALL impact on your birth experience YOU’RE THE ONE!
YOU can massively stack the odds in your favour of a better birth when you know how.
What to do now? Join this free workshop How to Prepare for a Calm & Confident Birth. It’s ONLINE on Thursday, May 13th from 7pm - 8.30pm. If you want to know more check this out, otherwise fast-track straight to the group here.
Birth preparation is one of the kindest, most loving things you can do for you and your baby whether you’re in your first, second or third trimester now is the best time to start influencing.
