One topic that preoccupies pregnant women is labor. As you get closer to your due date, you begin to ponder the fact that a human will be exiting your body. That is a sobering thought. You may feel apprehensive, panicky even.
Everyone wants to tell you about their own labor story. Everyone wants to talk to you about childbirth classes, epidurals, aromatherapy, water births, and so on.
But very few people, if any will tell you what I’ve learned from having 4 kids of my own and helping thousands of women give birth.
Today’s episode is a very special one if you’re pregnant or trying to have your first child. These words will hopefully encourage you and give you some comfort, confidence, and courage to what you were born to do.
Watch this week’s episode and listen to the words I would tell my daughter, my younger self, and words that I share with my patients.
What no one tells you about giving birth
Birthing a baby is the most intimate, personal, godlike experience you will ever have. Your body takes you on a journey to a place you never imagined. Your job is to be brave, to be willing to move beyond your fear, and to say yes.
Remember that women have been having babies since humanity began. Our bodies know how to do this. Your mind may not know, but your body does. Trust the process.
When your contractions are getting stronger and you want to fight them, don’t fight. Instead, relax everything. Let your face relax, then your neck, your core, your legs, your pelvis. Feel the power of what your body is doing!
Your support team (family, friend, doula, nurse, OB provider) is there to remind you that you can do this. If they aren’t joyful and encouraging, they don’t belong there. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to wait outside if you’re not feeling strength from them.
Picture your body opening like a flower. During contractions, your body may feel like tightening up. You might feel like you need to tighten up as well. Don’t. If you can think about letting your body open, labor usually progresses better.
If you want an epidural, ask for one. It’s not a sign of weakness. Epidurals can be wonderful for helping your body relax. They typically run on a pump, meaning that you can feel more of your contractions or less, whatever makes you more comfortable.
In conclusion
So when you’re getting nervous, these other thoughts are something to place beside your panic to help balance it. You have a whole team of people whose job is to bring you and your baby through this process safely.
Lean on them. Trust. Breathe. Because you’ve got this.
If you would like to follow along as I unpack even more about what no one tells you about giving birth then you’ll definitely want to join my email list. I have a free guide below that offers loads of self-care tips from real moms plus two healthy recipes that you can make during your pregnancy.
Leave me a comment below letting me know which video you’d like me to make next. What do you want to see more of on this channel?