How to Prepare MENTALLY for a Natural Birth
I often say birth is more of a mental game than a physical one.
We often prioritise the physical preparation for birth and like to diagnose physical problems as to why birth may not have gone to plan, this is because physical obstacles are tangible, they make sense to our logical minds. However, what I feel here at NBC is that our mental game is more of the priority.
If our mental game is at 100% for birth, we can:
Remain calm during labour
Stay in our reptilian brain during labour which allows our natural birth hormones to flow effectively
We are able to have consistent regular contractions for our individual body
We are able to move intuitively
We are able to feel empowered and trusting throughout the process of birth
We are able to experience pain without suffering
We are able to feel an amazing connection with our partner and especially our baby through birth
We are able to look back onto our birth experience with satisfaction, power, confidence, and calm.
What I believe is required to mentally prepare for a natural birth:
Learn ‘How to cope with Pain in Labour’ we have a whole workshop on this hehe- click here to check it out.
Build trust and confidence in your body to birth naturally
Reconnect and fine tune into your intuition
Lets break these 3 aspects down
1.How to Cope with pain in labour
We explore what happens when you are pushed to your Edge of Tolerance.
What is your edge of tolerance?
When you put yourself into voluntary discomfort- How long do you remain in that discomfort before you TAP OUT. How much pain are you in before you TAP OUT.
When you are burning your but in pilates doing clams- When do you stop, rest your glute, give it a punch and carry on.
When you are lifting weights at the gym where do you stop for a breather before you are finished your reps, where do you pause to catch your breath.
This level is your EDGE OF TOLERANCE.
Now when preparing for birth we have to become aware of what happens in your mind, manifesting into physical symptoms of the body, When you push past this edge of tolerance.
What are the thoughts?
How does your body physically react?
What happens to your heart rate?
What happens to your breathing?
When you are labouring contractions have no mercy- they will push you past and through to the other side of your edge of tolerance- How you handle yourself when pushed well past that edge of tolerance is VITAL.
And I assure you this is much easier to figure out and develop coping mechanisms when pushed past this edge of tolerance in pregnancy rather than in labour.
I have found that 7 practical techniques that our mamas report back saying were the MOST effective
Diaphragmatic breathwork
Sing this diaphragmatic breath as a distraction
Using this diaphargmatic breath as a surrendering tool
Comb technique
Relaxing the body and face
Affirmations
Changing pain perception
Keen to explore your edge of tolerance and practise these practical strategies in a safe setting?
Check out our workshop here.
2.Build trust and confidence in your body to birth naturally
The act of building trust and confidence in your body to birth naturally comes down to getting deep within yourself.
How your mum, sisters and friends around you have birthed, stems deep beliefs about your perception of birth.
It is important to get super real with yourself here, and often through meditation can be a great way to do this.
How do you truely feel about birth?
Do you feel like you can do it- do you truely believe that our bodies are designed to birth naturally, labour is a physiological process, birth is NORMAL.
Or do you have deep seeded fear surrounding birth?
Do you have a distrust in your body?
Building this trust is vital.
Yoga is a beautiful way to do this- Check out Pregnancy yoga here.
We also have numerous FREE meditations that help move through Fear towards pregnancy and birth. Instructions on how to access these here.
3.Reconnect and fine tune into your intuition
Movement is the best way to do this
Practise quiet intuitive movement
Allow this to be a time to connect with your body and connect with your intuition
Feel what your body wants and lean into that
What causes a negative discomfort in your body and avoid that
Switching off the surrounding noise and tuning into your intuition
And thats a wrap to how to prepare MENTALLY for a natural Birth!
I hope this has helped and I am always open to any questions you have or advice you desire <3
