A peaceful birth?

A recent comment from our college friend Brandon:

"We took Hypnobirthing classes before our first was born and Meghan has used those tools during all three labors to be able to birth naturally. I'm hopeful you're reaching lots of first time moms who confront the most daunting task: undergoing a completely unfamiliar experience that is fraught (culturally) with fear.

Good on ya!"

In that vein, hoping to reach those moms, I'm posting this essay to moms by fellow HB practitioner Shelley Albini.

A peaceful birth?

By Shelley Albini

When was the last time you heard a story about a peaceful birth? Do those two words even go together? A new mom could probably count on all her fingers and toes all of the horror stories she has heard about birth. A first time mom, facing the unknown experience of birthing a baby is so susceptible to the comments of others. The fear gifted to her by “well wishers” actually helps perpetuate the story that birth is a painful, scary experience.

What if it’s true that “birth must be painful” is a man made construct? Simply put, the pain of childbirth comes mostly from fear which (based on the horror stories of others) physiologically causes the body to work against what it wants to do to birth a baby. Many are familiar with the instinctual response of “fight or flight”. As a basic survival instinct, when a person senses a threat, real or perceived, their body throws out adrenalin so that they can either run for safety or stay and fight. In fear, blood is sent away from the uterus and to the extremities. There are many stories about woman laboring continuously at home but the minute they get to the hospital, they become afraid and everything seems to stop.

It’s like trying to drive with the emergency brake on. You know you want to go forward, but something is holding you back. In birth, that something is usually fear. So how does one combat the fear? Understanding what the body can do and trusting in the process can take one quite far in allowing a peaceful birth. Knowledge is Power. There is much written to support the fact that the body’s natural pain killers – Endorphins – are available to birthing women as they let go of fear. By understanding what their body can do given the chance, many allow the natural process to occur without suffering.

“Don’t be a hero” many say when one chooses a natural birth. How nice to know that as one chooses not to have medical interventions, they are not choosing to be a martyr. They may feel pressure and burning. The body isn’t doing something to you; it’s doing something for you. When one runs a marathon and crosses the finish line in pain, they feel the rush of knowing that they have accomplished a great feat. By allowing the body to go through the course set for it from the beginning of time, babies are born alert and mothers recover quicker.

Other natural methods can alleviate the need for medication and allow the body to do what it was meant to do. These include warm water, breathing, relaxation, self-hypnosis and fear release techniques. Web sites listed below can give more detailed information about each of these.

You are making choices as to your child’s first impression of the world. Does the place you are choosing, have the same balance of caution and trust that you have? Do you know the difference between the services provided by a birth center and that of a hospital labor and delivery floor?

Do you know the difference between an Obstetrician and a Midwife? Have you ever heard of a doula? (a person certified as a labor caregiver who has been trained to “mother the mother”) Be picky about the childbirth education class you choose to take. You can take the one offered by the hospital or you can choose among other private classes. Look at your options – you are the consumer.

Ask your caregiver their philosophy of birth. Most often birth is a natural process – not a medical emergency. [Ask what their personal cesarean rate is and what it is at the place you intend to birth.] In this day and age options are the key. What does a peaceful birth look like to you? It could be a hospital birth with a doula in attendance, it could be a birth center waterbirth, it could be a homebirth. Answering this question is the best “medicine” as you relax into the process of bringing your baby into the world. Gather information and make an informed choice. A peaceful birth is one of the most empowering things a woman can experience. I wish one for you.

http://birthcenters.org (National Association of Childbearing Centers

will help you find a birth center in your area)

http://hypnobirthing.com

http://www.dona.org (doulas of North America)

The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer

Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation by Pam England

The Birth Partner: Everything You Need to Know to Help a Woman Through Childbirth

by Penny Simkin

Gentle Birth Choices: A Comprehensive Book and Video Guide Making Informed Decisions About Birthing Centers, Birth Attendants, Water Birth, Home Birth, Hospital Birth

by Barbara Harper

The Doula Book: How a Trained Labor Companion Can Help You Have a Shorter, Easier, and Healthier Birth

by Marshall H., M.D. Klaus, John H., M.D. Kennell, Phyllis H. Klaus, Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth I.M. Gaskin

Hypnobirthing® A Celebration of Life Marie F. Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy.

[I have most of these titles available to loan if you are local.]