Are you scared of giving birth?
I am a prenatal yoga teacher and birth education based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I’m also mum to two children and I’ve had one hospital birth that did not go to plan, and one home birth that was everything I hoped it would be. Combining the knowledge I have gained from my training as well as supporting hundreds of mums over the last 7 years of teaching pregnancy yoga and birth preparation classes in Edinburgh, I love to help pregnant people and their birth partners feel ready for birth.
Fear of Giving Birth
When preparing for birth, it’s not enough to only prepare practically. Psychological prep is key to helping you have a positive birth. But how? Start by dealing with your fear. It can be scary to voice your fears.
Sadly, birth has become synonymous with fear thanks to the media showing predominantly dramatic/dramatised versions of birth. What we know is that normal physiological labour is disrupted by the Fear-Tension-Pain cycle. The more fear=more tension=more pain, which can lead to a cascade of medical interventions. If you can deal with your fears beforehand, you are less likely to fall into this cycle.
In my first pregnancy I didn’t do enough emotional prep and my birth didn’t go to plan. I can practically pinpoint the moment fear took over and derailed my labour. Second time, I spent my entire pregnancy preparing emotionally and my birth was everything I hoped it would be. It was challenging, intense, painful and perfect.
Birth Prep Activity
Write down your fears around pregnancy, birth, post-natal recovery, parenting. ALL of them. Naming them takes away some of their power and lets you see what work you still need to do. Do you need to ask your midwife or consultant more questions? Speak to your birth partner? Is there anything you need to learn more about?
If you’re scared of tearing, research ways to minimise the risk (e.g. perineal massage) and also aftercare tips in case you do (hello peribottle).
Scared of being in pain? Learn about and (crucially!) practice techniques to keep you calm, research comfort measures and educate yourself on different types of pain relief.
What do you think? I’d love to know if you’re going to try this, let me know in the comments. And if you’re sitting there thinking you don’t have any fears at all - are you being completely honest with yourself?
Overwhelmed?
If you live in or near Edinburgh and you would like to explore things like this in more depth as your prepare for the birth of your baby, why not join me for Pregnancy Yoga? If you are feeling unreasonably anxious or scared of birth, a few counselling sessions could really help. Please reach out if you would like to find out more.
