.png)
The birth process is a journey that is affected by both the mind and the physical body. One influences the other, just as gears movement affects the motion of the one beside it and thus the others, the mind influences our hormone production, which influences the uterus contraction, the cervix softening and the dilating. Our mind is the main player in our nervous system that's responsible for both voluntary and involuntary muscles contractions, relaxation and tension.
Thus, I've found that labor progresses smoothly with the most mentally prepared mamas and that's why I'm sharing the 5 beliefs that stall labor! It's time for you to shed these beliefs and get your mind and body ready for the big day(s).
Why do some people move through labor smoothly softening the cervix and opening up, while others come to a halt, cervix firm and closed. The answer to this will differ for each individual because we have unique physiologies and anatomy as well as diverse lifestyles, stress levels, coping strategies, memories, and beliefs that all play a role the chemicals released that affect labor progression.
I'm not going to get into all the hormones here, but I'll let you in on 5 major beliefs that put a halt to your labor process and why.
Belief #1 - Thinking this birth will be like another birth.
As no two snowflakes are alike, no two births are the same and that goes for each birth experience between 2 people and for individuals.
My children were born merely 16 months apart, and they were far from identical experiences. I had an episiotomy for the birth followed by perineal tearing and my 2nd baby slid out like a penguin on ice, no tears, no snips, much easier recovery!
A patient of mine had 9 vaginal births and she said each was its own unique experience.
If this is your second vaginal birth, the good news is that your body remembers how to stretch, open and move your baby through your birth canal.
However, if you had a previous traumatic birth experience and haven't yet processed it, the mind remembers that experience and can send messages to the body that slow or stall labor. Working through past trauma prior to your next birth is a game changer for your body feeling safe and progressing more smoothly through the next experience.
I advise you move into this birth with a curious mindset, free of expectations. Despite a previous birth trauma, or hearing stories of friends' birth challenges, your birth is completely unique. Each spring, flowers create new blossoms, the shoots sprout through the dirt at different at their own pace and the petals open when it's the best time for them. Flowers aren't worried they may take longer or hope their blossoms open faster this time, they go with the flow. A mind free of expectations is able to go with the flow.
Belief #2 - Thinking your birth plan is carved in stone.
If we think of birth as a journey, you know the destination and that's significant to get to where you're going for any journey unless your goal is wander aimlessly. Assuming a nomadic birth isn't your cup of tea, mapping out the journey can be useful as a guideline. Let's call it "birth map" knowing sometimes along journeys there are unforeseen road closures offering detours along a scenic route, traffic is a possibility especially during rush hour near big cities or a new route may pop up on your GPS that you prefer, so you turn to the right and follow that path.
I'm a planner. I like order, I thrive on routine, but, when I embark on a journey, it feels easiest when I prepare for the possibility of change. Labor and delivery typically doesn't follow a set route, the eta of baby isn't known, but what is known is that the calmer one handles the traffic, route change and road closures, the better.
Keep you eye on the destination, and breath through the journey to stay calm through the windy unknown road. The calmness and breath will help guide you smoothly even if the route changes. Frustration and fear of a new direction gives your brain the message to produce hormones such as adrenaline to slow the progression of your labor. However, calmness and open mindedness gives you brain the signal to produce endorphins for natural pain relief and oxytocin to maintain uterine contractions. The pelvic floor releases with ease as the mind gets it's a safe environment for birthing.
" The path of least resistance is ever changing"
Belief #3 - Wishing to follow a time line.
Your birth will unfold as it should, some are quick and fiery and some are slow.
Doctors or hospitals may have time frames for birth lengths based on hospital support staff availability or other general guidelines and policies they have in place. If you feel rushed or pressured through the birth experience, let your providers or your support person know how you're feeling and ask for a moment of quiet time to get back into the best headspace. If your partner tends to be calm and collected in stressful situations, lean on them for that energy. If not, you may consider hiring a birth doula to help.
Labor pauses under pressure, and progresses through peace. Instead of setting parameters for ourselves, understand that the process may take much longer than anticipated and be pleasantly surprised if the roads remain clear and free along the journey.
Belief #4 - Avoiding a cesarean
Listen, no one wanting a vaginal birth is hoping it suddenly changes to a cesarean.
But when we avoid something, that very something becomes our focus. When we tell a child to stop running, they hear run. When we ask a child to walk, they hear walk.
When we say I don't want a cesarean, our inner mind hears cesarean. Instead of thinking about what you don't want, focus on what you desire. Declare your desires and create visualizations that match your desires. While remaining open to the possibility that a new path may appear that still gets you to the same destination.
Tip #5 - Fearing what might happen
Fear is a physiological and emotional response to perceived threat. It causes tension in the body which is more than useless through labor and delivery.
Human minds are designed to pick up on possible threats as a mechanism of survival. Fearful "what if's" are threats that create stress and anxiety. This signals your brain to create physical strength to run or fight for safety. Is running or fighting useful to help things move along in labor? Not so much.
Labor and delivery progresses best when the mind and body are at ease, NOT survival mode.
"What if's" are about future things that don't exist. They are constructs of the mind that take you out of the present moment. There's nothing about a what if that will help your labor or delivery progress, so if you catch your mind wandering to the future, please understand it isn't serving you. Take that opportunity to focus on the NOW, use your breath as a tool to bring you back into the present moment.
Dissolve your birthing worries is a one piece of a smoother birth, getting your body ready is the other!
Learn how to PREPARE YOUR MIND AND BODY FOR BIRTH with my FREE masterclass here. Click Here
Comments