Birth can be one of the most amazing experiences in a
woman’s life, a time of great transformation and joy. The way a woman prepares
herself for birth influences the way she will experience that birth. The secret
to a positive, calm and gentle birth lies in its preparation. Childbirth just
like any other big events in our lives deserves the same dedication and time we
would invest in planning a wedding or a special anniversary. To truly prepare
for childbirth we need to slow down the pace of daily life and dedicate our
full attention to not only prepare for the physical demands of labour but also
prepare for the emotional and even spiritual aspects of bringing a new life into the
world. Birth is not just about having a baby; it’s also about becoming a
mother, a father, about becoming parents and all the responsibilities and joy
that come with it.
For a woman to birth easily, she needs to not only
feel absolute trust in her birthing body but complete trust in those who are
assisting and supporting her during labour. She needs to feel calm and happy
with the choices she has made and probably most important of all she needs to
be free of all fears and limiting thoughts.
My top tips for a calm and
blissful birth:
·
Educate yourself about the birthing process.
Read and when you think you have read enough, read some more.
·
Find out what is available in your neighbourhood
in terms of childbirth preparation classes. Find out exactly what they offer,
ask questions and choose the one that fits your needs.
·
Ask yourself: “what is my question
about birth?” Most questions we ask have an underlying reason. This is why we
ask the question in the first place. Do you wonder how you are going to cope
with the intensity of birth? Or do you ask yourself whether you are strong
enough to have a natural birth? Once you find your question, you can start
working on finding a solution to your question. Adopt a solution-focused
approach.
·
Find out what your options are
concerning home birth, hospital birth, a freestanding birthing centre or a
birthing centre within a hospital. What do they offer or not offer and weigh up
your options.
·
Choosing and preparing your birthing
nest: opt for a birthing environment where you feel most comfortable and safe
to give birth. If the birthing place you would prefer is simply not available
look at ways to create your perfect birthing nest. Be creative! Aromatherapy
oils, pictures, birthing ball etc will help you feel more at ease.
·
Select the right care provider for
you. Whether you choose a midwife or a gynaecologist you need to feel that
this person is fully listening to you, what you want or wish for your birth.
You need to feel that it is someone you can absolutely trust.
·
Spend time putting together a birth
plan so everyone including your birth partner knows exactly what your wishes
are. Be flexible too as birth can unfold in many ways so it is important to
discuss your birth plan in advance with your care provider.
·
Your birth companion doesn’t have to
be your partner or husband. It can be a close friend or a close relative.
Someone who you know can support you during labour. You may even consider
employing the services of a doula.
·
The mind and body are profoundly connected. What the mind
sees the body will simply follow. One of the most effortless and pleasurable
way to prepare for childbirth is through relaxation and creative imagery.
·
Spending time bonding with your
unborn baby will not only bring you great joy but also plays a crucial role in
your baby’s cognitive development and connection to life outside of the womb.
Why not do it together with your partner? There are many CDs on the market
which uses simple guided meditation and visualization to help you bond with
your little one.
·
Read or listen to positive birth
stories which will inspire and empower you. Do not be tempted to read or listen
to birth stories which will only feed your fear or cause you to have doubts in
your own birthing abilities.
·
Keep a journal, scribble, draw and even paint. Let your
creative juices flow! You will be amazed how much of your innermost thoughts
and emotions you will uncover. Perhaps even discover inner strength that you
were not consciously aware of. If on the other hand you uncover a negative
image, emotion or thought concerning birth, replace it with a positive image or
thought.
·
Write you own birth affirmation. It is a
powerful tool when it comes to strengthening the mind and projecting your
intention. A birth affirmation can be one line, a paragraph or a whole page!
The choice is yours.
Creating your own calm and gentle birthing experience
doesn’t have to be stressful. It only requires a little time and effort.
