Natural birth or assisted
Natural birth has some advantages, as many know. Here are a few things I was not initially aware of, especially if you fear pain!
1) I did not know how to listen or to trust my body. I was certain listening to the “pros” was better. Through my birthing years I began to learn how to listen.
Perhaps the body needs to move or stretch, or the mind needs clearing, and distractions or people who are in the room, need to be removed. I tried music, mediative prayer, movement, and low groaning sounds. Different approaches worked at different times during labor.
Beginning labor, I could do anything to keep my mind off what was happening, music, a comedy show, being held by my husband, or praying were comforting or distracting at this early stage.
As labor progressed, I often found walking about, swaying, and mentally accepting the next sweep of contractions was beneficial, and slow deep breathing.
The final stages for me were tumultuous as my birth were generally fast at the end, and always in a hospital setting. Hospital staff could stunt my ability to listen to my body’s cues. I was often told at the final stages to lay back and give birth, when honestly my body was saying other things, such as turn over or stand. I learned to doubt myself and my body. After a few births, I reentered a period of willful mindfulness. I tuned in to my senses more and found I was not listening to them, I was busy panicking due to the undue stresses of hospital practices. I finally found the courage to push back after a few babies. My best advice here is to practice mindfulness often while pregnant.
I did listen when staff were more helpful; as a midwife may have been. But I also learned to listen to the designs of nature and what my body was saying, stand up for myself, and say no, when I did not feel it was right for me.
2) I was afraid of pain; I did not know my pain would increase alongside endorphins creating a dreamlike state that could assist me in dealing with the pain. This I learned over time. I learned to moan and breath with the process, instead of against it. This was an empowering experience. In this method, I learned to love birth, my body, and being myself!
3) Keep your energy up. I did hear this said, but I was never allowed anything but ice to snack on while in labor, according to hospital rules. This was not always intuitive and likely caused me some dips in energy towards the end of labor.
4 Many of the stages of birth can be assisted at home or a birth center and assisted by a homeopath aside a midwife, this is especially helpful in a crisis. I learned to love Arnica!
