Fear can be a good thing. In the early years of humanity, it secured our ancestors from saber-tooth tigers. It encouraged them to run, fight, or hide in order to conserve their lives. Fear is a natural and useful sensation. It’s likewise among the strongest emotions that we can experience, so strong that it can be immobilizing. I have actually felt that level of fear once or twice, and kid, it’s a doozy!
The insane thing about experiencing worry throughout giving birth is that it causes our bodies and our minds to do all of the things we do not want to be doing when we’re giving birth. When we experience worry during childbirth, messages are sent out to receptors all over the body producing exaggerated and distorted responses (a.k.a. discomfort). These amplified messages then triggered physiological and biochemical changes within the body, preparing the body to eliminate off the saber-tooth tiger (or to take flight by fleing, if that’s more your thing).
The body produces catecholamines (I like to call them the “cats”), which are the fight-or-flight hormonal agents. When we’re not expected to be combating or flighting, like when we remain in labour, the “felines” trigger problems, like constricting the uterus and minimizing blood circulation to all of the places that most require oxygen rich blood during birth (the uterus, the child, and the placenta).
This absence of oxygen rich blood to these critical areas can trigger the labour to stall, which can develop more fear, which produces more “cats,” which slows the labour process more, and it continues and on. When we’re afraid throughout labour, either knowingly or subconsciously, we tense up, labour time boosts, and the understanding of discomfort increases. And what can this all lead to? You guessed it, more fear!
Just in case you’re pregnant and you’re experiencing a few fears about your upcoming labour and shipment, I want to offer you some support. One fast and easy method to switch off the worry of birth is to focus on gratitude. I make certain you’ve heard of this principle prior to because it blew up into public awareness with the motion picture The Secret. But, have you considered how this nifty little trick might affect your birth experience?
Here’s something to consider. We understand that the part of the brain that experiences gratitude is not the exact same part of the brain that experiences fear. When the part of the brain that experiences thankfulness is turned on, then the part of the brain that experiences worry instantly turns off and vice versa.
Here’s the important things about worry. Regardless of all your self-confidence and decision, it can be difficult to simply stop thinking afraid ideas. The truth is: it’s a lot easier to begin thinking grateful thoughts. The bright side is that when you start thinking grateful ideas, the fear switch in your brain switches off, triggering the fearful thoughts to disappear. Which, dear reader, is what can release you from the afraid ideas that may be pestering you about your upcoming birth.
In case you’re not knowledgeable about my work, understand that I love experiments! Here’s an experiment for you. Every time you are stopped at a traffic signal, think of at least 10 things that you are grateful for. Begin generally. This can be as basic as your heart beating, your lungs breathing, the sun shining, or the clouds raining. Once you have actually mastered this action, turn it up a notch and list all of the important things related to pregnancy and birth that you are grateful for: things like your little munchkin’s soccer legs kicking your ribs (you understand he’s strong!), your midwife whose kindness makes your heart tingle, or the health center for providing you a trip so that you can see their outstanding selection of technology.
As you exercise the appreciation muscle in your brain, it will end up being stronger, and as it becomes more powerful, it will be something that you know you can count on when those fearful ideas try to push their method back into your mind.
The final action of this experiment is to exercise your gratitude muscle when worry is trying to slip into your life. As quickly as you feel the worrying feeling of a fear believed attempting to make its way into your mind, immediately grab your appreciation ideas and see what happens. And, just like all excellent experiments, take note of your results. If it works for you, terrific! If not, I make certain I’ll come up with another experiment that will help, so remain tuned.
One final note before I sign off. A good friend of mine was frightened that her labour noises would look like the call of a grey whale. She utilized this little trick for two months prior to her birth, and guess what happened. She had the guts and self-confidence to express all of her birth noises, even the ones that resembled the call of a grey whale.
No comments:
Post a Comment