Positive Imagery to Encourage a Positive Childbirth Experience
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Researchers are discovering powerful mind-body connections in health and wellness. With that in mind, not only am I making all the necessary physical preparations to have a successful, drug-free natural childbirth, but I am preparing mentally, as well.
This mental preparation leaves no room for hearing horror stories of labor that went on for hours with intense pain that even drugs couldn’t quell. Unless these stories serve a medical purpose, such as what measures may help avoid this situation, they don’t benefit anyone.
I know there are others like me out there. How do you politely muzzle well-meaning friends and relatives when they begin playing a game of “top this,” as they describe their worst labor experiences? It takes a bit of nerve, but it can be done politely, with a smile, and no one’s feeling should be hurt.
I simply acknowledge their difficulty. “I’m sorry you had that experience,” I say. Then I explain why these tales will not help my frame of mind or enhance my own experience. “I’m trying to keep positive thoughts in my mind. There’s no guarantee that will help me avoid complications or difficulties, but combined with good childbirth instruction, a midwife I trust, and my husband’s support, a positive frame of mind certainly can’t hurt!” I explain that we are open to, and prepared for, any possibly, but negative stories will only serve to make me more nervous, and anxiety, as it has been shown, leads to higher blood pressure, which can lead to pregnancy and childbirth complications.
Beyond that, going into labor more relaxed will just lead to a more pleasant experience. A friend of mine likes to talk about her 36 hours of labor which led to an emergency c-section. “It really wasn’t bad,” she said, because she had entered the delivery room with a positive outlook and maintained this disposition throughout. I could listen to these kinds of stories forever!
In most cases, when I politely explain why I don’t want to hear about what a horrible ordeal childbirth is, the women in question hastily assure me that everything will be fine and, in the end, it’s all worth it… Something I knew all along, but you can’t hear positive reinforcement too often!
I’m not advocating that a pregnant woman should live with her head in the clouds. I am using every resource available to educate myself on complications that may arise during delivery, and then promptly replacing those thoughts with images of a positive childbirth experience.
This also means surrounding myself with people who want to share inspiring, beautiful childbirth stories. I understand labor is hard work. Labor hurts. But the happy ending that results from these tales makes it all worth it.
When you’re sharing your labor stories with expectant moms, don’t sugarcoat it, but please do try to accentuate the positive. Have an uplifting childbirth experience to share? Please post it here.
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