Fear in Childbirth

[KnoxvilleDoula]

Why does birth instill such fear into women and the families who love them? I have a theory that partly it is due to the fact that birth is in part, violent. There is blood, there is pain, there is angst, but there is also passion, excitement, hormones, release. This is the height of human experience. We do not remember our own birth.. at least not on a conscious level. Subconsciously, perhaps, we remember the excitement and possibly, the adrenaline rushes, the tinge of danger, the "feel good" hormones coursing through our blood -- yes, even as infants. Why is that? Because WE KNOW HOW TO GIVE BIRTH. Not only do women's bodies know how to give birth, but our babies within us KNOW HOW TO BE BORN. How do they know? They follow the path of thousands of years, hormones and chemical reactions, instinct, nature, call it what you will -- things we do not even yet understand! Why have we let one of the strongest (if not THE strongest) experiences in life turn into a medical event? When did we decide to not work with our own instincts and sway with our hips and moan with the contractions, lean on our birth partners, GIVE IN to that transition to motherhood, BEAR DOWN as our bodies told us and ONLY us to produce our newborn infant wet with our childbirth efforts? This is the birth you can have, it is the one you can choose, it is the one you can manifest. Use this exhilaration as you would any heart pounding adrenaline rushing experience... do not hand off this experience to a machine beeping, feed on the fears of a medical establishment poised to make thousands of dollars for every non-proven intervention, watch your child that grew inside of you suddenly whisked away to a "sanitary" nursery! Empower yourself and face your fears! If you find yourself afraid, let's explore the question:
What am I afraid of?

Copyright: Kimberly Sebeck

[iminluvwita]

Oct. 5, 2009 at 3:15 PM

Their is alot of thought  to that, but it's so true. Everyone has that fear when it's the most beautiiful part of our lives even with all the pain and blood.

[7krystals]

Oct. 5, 2009 at 3:27 PM

I'm not afraid!  That's what I keep telling myself everyday.  I'm not afraid, my body knows what to do, and it's gonna do it wether I like it or not, so why not be unafraid?

So far, I'm actually not afraid.  I'm more afraid of the unknowns (how do I breastfeed?) , and once I know them, I'm not afraid of them...

[7krystals]

Oct. 5, 2009 at 4:22 PM

I'm not afraid!  That's what I keep telling myself everyday.  I'm not afraid, my body knows what to do, and it's gonna do it wether I like it or not, so why not be unafraid?

So far, I'm actually not afraid.  I'm more afraid of the unknowns (how do I breastfeed?) , and once I know them, I'm not afraid of them...

Love to hear that!!!!

(Original Poster)

[Mommygoose]

Oct. 6, 2009 at 10:47 AM

I have more fear with this second pregnancy than I did with my first. I just keep telling myself it will be as beautiful and "easy" as with my first!!!! I need to make sure my Dr and the nurses know what I DO want my birth to be like. When I am sure they are on my side then all will be well!! I will NOT tollerate drug pushing or "restrictions" put on me as I labor. SO will be my advocate with these details!

[Daemons_mommy]

Oct. 6, 2009 at 11:21 AM

I just had my second son a week ago. I ended up laboring for the most part at home. I only labored in the hospital for 2 hours. Part of that was by choice and part was by accident. My contractions never became regular lol. Let me just say that I listened to my body this time and I kept getting down on my hands and knees, I screamed while I pushed and I did what I wanted regardless of what the doctors and nurses were telling me. I kept pushing before the doctor got there and didn't listen. It was empowering and a more comfortable experience than my first birth where I did everything I was told.

[KnoxvilleDoula]

Oct. 6, 2009 at 1:23 PM

wonderful!! keep the comments coming!!

(Original Poster)

[mommypip]

Oct. 6, 2009 at 5:41 PM

I really like this post and it is very true. Woman have been birthing babies on their own for centuries and that is the way it should be! No more unneccessary interventions for me, I will never let a nurse tell me not to scream or a Doctor to force vaginal exams during labor again. I'm having the next baby (if there is one) at home with a really awesome midwife and possibly a doula.

[outstandingLove]

Oct. 7, 2009 at 12:20 AM

Almost everything in America is based off of fear. Childbirth is no different. and it's sad.

But i'm thinking that more people are starting to wake up. It just doesnt seem to be happening as fast as it needs to be.