Fearless Birthing: Approaching labour and birth with confidence
- Amalhopebirthing
- Nov 17, 2024
- 4 min read
If you talk to a pregnant mama today, she will probably be able to mention at least one fear or doubt as she prepares to birth her baby. This is normal. Most of the time those fears can be put to rest, leading to a much better birth satisfaction.
Today, we will talk about the effect of fear on labour and birth, and how mamas can move into a place of self-confidence and joy instead.
What are some common fears?
Studies have shown that women have different fears when it comes to labour and birth.
Fear of pain during labour
Anxiety during pregnancy about birth
Fear that labour will take too long
Fear about making it to the hospital in time
Fear about interventions such as cesareans, epidural etc
Fear of complications with the baby
Not confident of childbirth
Possibility of losing control during labour
Fear of pooping during labour
If you have thought any of these things, I want you to know that it's okay and that you're normal.
However, I also want you to know that staying in that place of fear will only hinder you and rob you of the beautiful gift that labour and birth can bring to you.
Let's unpack it a little. I would love you to understand the effect fear may have on your birth experience, and how to avoid it.
How does fear affect my labour and birth?
Fear, anxiety, loneliness or the feeling of being watched or judged are all emotions that can cause the release of excessive stress hormones. Stress hormones (cortisol) makes labour longer and more painful.
Studies have shown that women who fear more are at risk of having greater adverse birth outcomes, as well as, more likely to struggle from postpartum depression. We don't want that.
The beauty of the love hormone
When a mother enters the last few weeks of pregnancy, her body works very hard to prepare for labour and birth. There is a great symphony of hormones at play in her body. Two of the more dominant hormones at play in this orchestra are the hormones of oxytocin, also known as the love hormone, and adrenaline.
They both serve different functions. If there is an interruption, it can throw them both off balance which can have various effects on the outcome of labour and birth.
During labour, the stimulation of your pituitary gland causes oxytocin to be released in huge amounts. Oxytocin causes the uterus to contract, which increases the frequency of your contractions. This is important because the contractions are what brings the baby down! Without oxytocin, there will be no contractions, and labour will slow down or even come to a stop.
Oxytocin is critical for labour to flow!
Oxytocin will also help you to feel relaxed, calm and even perhaps sleepy. These are good things!
Being at peace, enables you to feel connected with your body and will help you to listen to your body. Listening well will enable you to know how to move or what labour positions to do to help move your baby down and out.
Here comes adrenaline
Towards the end of labour, when you’re entering transition, in order to get ready to push baby out, the symphony of hormones changes up the tune. Now, the adrenaline hormone takes the center stage.
We normally feel adrenaline when we are in stressful, fearful or dangerous situations. Adrenaline is what helps us escape from danger! it protects us. Adrenaline gives us a rush of energy to get away.
This is fantastic for pushing baby out! All of a sudden, a woman will feel a burst of energy, and with a mighty roar (probably a few roars) and display of power, will be able to push her baby out and give birth.
However, if a woman experiences fear or severe pain during labour, instead of oxytocin flowing, she will be overcome by adrenaline which will slow or stop the labour down. And this can lead to a cascade of interventions she probably didn’t want.
This is why it can be so helpful to support birthing mamas to be in calm, peaceful birth settings where they are surrounded by a support team who will be able to love on her, encourage and support her during one of the most challenging moments of her life.
Isn’t it interesting that the love hormone helps bring your baby out? Just as hopefully, the act of love- which brought your baby in. How beautiful! Love is the opposite of fear!
Keep the love flowing in and the fear moving out
There are different things you can do to be mindful of in order to boost or maintain the levels of oxytocin…
Try to labour at home as long as possible. Most women feel safe at home where they feel comfortable and at peace.
Whether at home or at the hospital, dim the lights. Bright lights causes less oxytocin.
Reduce noise as much as possible. Pop those earphones in if you want to block out voices. Or have your husband and birth team advocate for you to keep your birthing space as quiet and calm as possible.
Touches, kisses, cuddles and caresses with your husband during labour will also boost your oxytocin levels
Take advantage of labour positions such as dancing or swaying to draw close to your husband
Hugs, encouragement and massages from your doula or other support people will also help you feel safe, seen and love
There are so many things you can do to have a good birth experience. Don't remain in fear. Get out there and find the answers to your questions. Vanquish your fears! Find a doula, attend childbirth education classes and immerse yourself in the birth world of knowledge!
In hope,
Esther
Sources
The Christian Childbirth Handbook
Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn
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