Normalizing pain in childbirth

Pain

P - Purposeful. The purpose of the pain in labour is in the end we have a baby. Also pain is signally us to do something like move, change position and get ourselves comfortable
A - Anticipated. Do you expect some pain in labour. Good! because knowing that we are going to have some pain prepares us mentally for the task before us. Also when you are in labour you also know that you can anticipate that you will finish one contraction and anticipate more will come
I - Intermittent. Listen I never would've had 3 children if it wasn't for the intermittent break relief in between the contractions. Contractions last for about a minute to a minute and half and when it has subsided you get your break you feel pretty much normal and pain free inbetween. Those are the moments when you recoup, relax and recharge to be able to continue on.
N - Normal. Pain during labour is physiologically normal. In our culture we accept that a marathoner would experience some pain during his run, we would accept that pain is a normal part of life and that some live with it more than others. But for some reason the pain of labour is treated as if it were not normal, is to be feared, avoided and must therefore be treated and minimalized. In fact pain alerts mothers to move during labour which often helps progress labour and speeds labour.

Quiet alert state

The mother labouring .......the quiet alert state

The baby freshly born ...... the quiet alert state

What can we learn from .......the quiet alert state?

Boobs

Boobs, breasts, (I am sure you could think of a few other names that apply here) whatever you want to call them women have them in their own shape and size. Aside from birthing my children the next most important thing I think I have ever done in caring for them and raising them was breastfeeding. There has been a movement that is suggesting that at birth mothers and babies should be treated as a unit not as separate. This obviously benefits both mom and baby in their efforts to breastfeed from the moment a baby is born. We need not look any farther than nature to see that babies were meant to breastfeed. They are born with the innate behaviour to survive and that happens to lead them straight to the breast. And womens breasts prepare prenatally and are ready to spring forth "liquid gold" or colostrum (the first milk). Then the whole wonderful process of feeding, bonding and nurturing begins. The human body never ceases to amaze me! What boobs can do is breastaking. LOL! Want to know more about breastfeeding? Peek at Dr. Jack Newman's site http://www.drjacknewman.com/

Celebrities and birth

People usually have a fasination with celebrities. Pregnant women are no exception. They are searching for stories, facts and research that can help them understand pregnancy and birth. With all the media we allow into our lives it is no wonder that we know a lot about celebrities. But sometimes the media paints a negative slant on pregnancy and birth. Where do we hear about how "normal" birth is? Where do we hear about the choices women have in labour and birth? I found it quite smart and refreshing that Ricki Lake has interviews with celebrities on her web site, mybestbirth.com. http://www.mybestbirth.com/Very interesting interviews and worth peaking at. Just hearing that Cindy Crawford chose a home birth perked my interest even more! Also look for Melissa Joan Hart

childbirth education

Ask yourself, would you buy a car without getting all the facts about it? When you need surgery wouldn't you want to understanding as much as possible about? How about when you decide to get a pet wouldn't you want to know how to care for it? Of course. Gathering information helps us when we are faced with decisions. It help us make informed decisions. It helps us feel more confident about what we are about to experience. Now, ask yourself don't you deserve the most up to date information and practical suggestions to help you embark on the journey of childbirth. If you haven't signed up for your childbirth education classes what are you waiting for? One thing is for certain that women report positive birth experiences if they are able to make informed decisions when they give birth to their children. No matter how long, how painful or if she used medication or natural....we know that if she participated in the decisions on her health care she feels empowered and reports a positive birth experiecnce. So if you are informed as you can be about birth this goes a long when when your big day arrives!

S-p-l-e-n-d-o-r

BIRTH IS.......

S - Special

P - Profound

L - Lifegiving

E - Exciting

N - Normal

D - Dramatic

O - Opening

R - Remembered

Birth......You can do it!!

When I teach about birth I always add a, "You can do it" and I remind the class of how actor, Rob Schneider always makes his small cameo appearances in Adam Sandler movies. He has said that statement many a times and it always cracks me up. And I truely believe that You Can Do It too! I want to energized women to believe in their bodies and the awesome capibility that it has. The very fact their body knows what to do seems to incredible. It certainly helps when women can tap into that inner wisdom. As I get older and wiser I have become so much more appreciative of my body, my womanly body and the potential that was unlocked when I gave birth to my children. Though I never knew half of what I know about birth now, one thing is for certain I said to myself........ "You can do it" and I did!