Preparing for the Phenomena of Postpartum Program
Just like pregnancy, birth is a rite of passage that deserves an entire training on it's own. The content of this blog entry will discuss the things that I will make the most impact in your birth. We have already talked about finding the right medical provider for you but what about a birth doula? The role of a birth doula is to be present with you during birth to provide education, emotional support, physical support and to be your cheerleader. If a birth doula isn't an option for you is there someone (in addition to your partner) that you could ask to be your support during labor and birth? We know that when women are supported by other women that they feel loved and safe with there are better birth outcomes.
It's also important to understand the FEAR->TENSION->PAINcycle. Some people report experiencing birth as manageable, pain free or even enjoyable! Birth doesn't have to be seen as a scary painful event like our society and media have trained us to think. Birth is a normal process for the human body and isn't inherently a medical emergency. I challenge you to look into reading birth stories or watching you tube videos of positive birth experiences. The common elements in positive birth experiences are feeling confident, respected and safe with their medical provider and place they are birthing at, having support present that helps the birthing person to feel loved and supported, and having a plan to mentally re-frame fear of pain to embracing labor with relaxation techniques and having an abundance of pain relief options. All of these things help to avoid the feeling of fear. What we know for sure though is that the emotion fear causes tension in the body and a body that is laboring and trying to expand to birth a baby needs relaxation not tension. Tension is often the source of pain that is not manageable in labor and birth.
For this section please:
-Watch the video below.
-Finish up working through the Childbirth Prep Worksheet from the last section.
-Let me know you are ready to receive the Birth Like a Boss ebook written by my doula trainer, Angela Gallo (Angel Phoenix Arsenal)
-Please watch The Business of Being Born documentary. More information here: https://www.thebusinessof.life/
-View the beautiful images by Spirit Y Sol below. You can find more of their work here www.spiritysol.com
-Complete the following journal prompts.
What does your ideal birth experience look like? Feel like? Has it changed over time?
What fears do you have regarding birth?
Who do you want present at your birth? (If you aren't comfortable being naked around them or you often feel like you can't be your true self around them I wouldn't suggest you have them present.)
Do you feel like you are working with the right medical provider for you? If not or if you are not sure what do you need to do to make sure?
How do you feel after learning about the short comings of the majority of our maternity care systems in America?
-Contact me and let me know you are ready to receive and discuss birth plan templates, birth affirmation coloring sheets, and the labor and birth space preparation form. Also, let's discuss doing a fear release if that feels appropriate to you.
Remember: If taking in this information becomes uncomfortable for you it is important to shift and move these feelings. Feel them, identify what you need to learn from those feelings, then take action to move those feelings. This could look like free writing in your journal about your feelings, moving your body or expressing your feelings verbally. If you can't get unstuck, reach out to me and we will do a clarity coaching call.
With love,
