5 Ways for a Low-Stress Birth

Who wants a stressful birth?  NO ONE!  Unfortunately, over 30% of women are delivering through C-section these days.  That is probably not by choice, but by stress (read: emergency C-sections).  I am a childbirth educator, and LOVE LOVE LOVE to talk about birth :-) When I get to talking, there is little stopping!

Here are my top five ways to decrease your stress in the birthing room:

1.  Educate yourself. 
Consume books on healthy pregnancy and natural birth.  These types of books will give you positive views on birth.  The typical books given or suggested to women often tell you a month-to-month list of things to stress about.  Women are very often insecure, and even the strongest of women can become insecure during pregnancy.  Books (and websites!) that reinforce these insecurities are not helping you.  Even if you do not want a natural birth, read lots of birth stories that depict the strength of a woman in this most womanly event.  This will help you feel powerful.

2. Be a visionary. 
Visualize your birth months before it happens.  If all you can think of is stressful situations, then you may want to talk about this to a friend or even a psychologist.  Try to visualize it being peaceful and powerful.  This is why you want to do step 1.

3.  CHOOSE your practitioner.  Choose your practitioner. CHOOSE your practitioner.  
You get it?  Your practitioner will have a typical birth in his or her mind.  The poster child for his or her practice.  Then there are variations on this.  The variations will be the drastic occurrences he or she describes.  Try to find out what these two things are and decide if your ideal birth fits into this model.  You may have to come up with some creative questions to really discern this.  One hint: "interesting case" to a practitioner probably means "complicated."


4.   Worry.  
Birthing From Within writer Pam England says "worry is the work of pregnancy."  It seems weird to say women should be worrying about pregnancy and birth.  The truth is that women already worry a lot about pregnancy.  If we methodically think about our worst fears and decide now what we would do in that situation, the worry and fear will subside and you will be more able to enjoy your pregnancy and even--gasp-- labor!  Sometimes these worries become circular.  In these cases, it may be of great assistance to speak to a counselor and process through these issues now.  Your baby will be happier for it, too.

5.  Relax.  
This is probably one of the most difficult steps because we are trained to go-go-go.  When you are finished worrying, you can completely relax and let go of the birth experience you want.  This will firmly plant it into your mind and make it much more likely.  Enjoy your pregnancy; it never lasts forever.

Bonus step for VBAC hopefuls:
Finish a project.  Many midwives agree that a woman's attempt at VBAC often stalls around the same place as the last birth.  Women in this situation often feel (consciously or subconsciously) like they can't finish a project.  Start small, like a craft project, and work to larger projects, such as a garden or building something.  A counselor may be of great use to you in this time as well.



What is your birth story?  I love to hear them all!

Photo credit: www.stockphotos.com