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Phone: (408) 603 - 7875 Email: andria@angelpeace.com
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Your
Body, Your Birth - Part 2
by
Andria R. Wagner In my first article, I wrote about a woman’s need to own her power and choose the birth experience that suits her best (to read that article click here). That was pre-painful birth experience, since my first son’s birth was fairly easy. After the birth of my second son, I understood why women get epidurals. That said, I am grateful that I had a home birth, otherwise my son probably would have been delivered by c-section, which is precisely why I chose to birth at home. Hospitals do not always allow a woman to peacefully birth in her own time. Once admitted, you must submit to a hospital’s timetable, thus leaving yourself open to medical interventions that are not always in the best interest of you and your baby. On the other hand, there are many birth options that allow you more freedom and give you a chance to trust the natural process in which women have partaken for eons. My first son was born at home in 2004 in a birthing pool we set up in our bedroom. The birth was simple, straightforward and relatively pain free, with no complications. My second son was also born at home in 2006 in a birthing pool, it was also simple, but longer and more painful than the first. After many hours of contractions and my water not breaking, waiting to push became very challenging. My expression of pain would have made any “normal” person offer me an epidural were I in a hospital. I am glad that I didn’t have that option because I got through it without the side effects and risks. My son was able to breastfeed right away with no problems, rather than have trouble latching on due to fatigue that drugs can cause a newborn. I did tear because I was so impatient to get him out that I pushed too hard and too fast. I have never been so determined in my life to finish something. The whole experience was a lesson in letting go of control, relaxing in discomfort, and allowing the birth to unfold naturally. We don’t control the birth process; the baby’s soul chooses when to enter this world. Often, we rush by inducing, planning early c-sections, or wishing labor would come on early, forgetting that our baby has a say in the matter. This is our first opportunity to respect our child’s infinite wisdom and allow them to teach us what they need from us. How well are we listening if we are forcing them out before they are ready? My first son came three days before his estimated due date. I was certain my second son was going to arrive two weeks early. Boy, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I think he was trying to teach me a lesson in letting go of expectations, he came sixteen days past his estimated due date. Most women would ask why I would do that to myself and the answer simply is that he wasn’t ready to come out. I knew that he was healthy and happy in-utero, and I was prepared to allow him to come out in his own time. After weeding and planting some mums in the garden earlier in the day, contractions finally began at 9:00 pm. I thought that he’d surely come fast. After all, my first son’s labor was eight hours from the time my water broke to the time he was born. Not so this time. This second son of mine was still trying to teach me the lesson of not trying to control the outcome. You’d think I would have figured that out after waiting sixteen days past the due date. My water broke around 7:30 am, after a long night of breathing, crying, resting (or trying to), waiting, rocking back and forth during contractions on the toilet (by the way a great place to labor), and getting in and out of the birthing pool expecting it was time to push. Had I been in a hospital, they would have done a c-section or broken my waters, which could have led to a c-section anyway. I am grateful that I chose to birth at home and grateful that there are midwives who are willing to assist women who understand that birth is a natural, normal, everyday occurrence. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to pray and trust in divine order during labor. It is also necessary to develop that trust during pregnancy. For example, I learned that ultrasounds are not needed in a healthy pregnancy. At my 19 week ultrasound I had a sinking feeling in my heart that this was stressful to the baby, not to mention the technician was less than friendly. I have learned that a fetascope is a reliable way to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Practice trust during pregnancy so it can serve you during labor. If you are always second guessing yourself and thinking what could be wrong, you will most definitely create that reality for yourself and the baby. Upgrade your thoughts to the highest level possible, so that when labor comes, you will be prepared. Control is something that we struggle with daily. We want things our way, and we want it now! Cultivating patience and releasing control will bring more peace during labor. Yoga and mediation are a great way to practice this, not to mention helpful in becoming more aware of bodily sensations teaching us to discern whether or not something is wrong. Most of the time our minds run rampant and all we can do is visualize negative scenarios. Correcting this negative thinking during pregnancy will allow more trust and faith in the birthing process and in our body’s ability to birth naturally. We all write birth plans these days, which is great, however remember that your baby may have other plans. I’ve realized that the birth has way more to do with what your baby wants than what we want, so be willing to change plans and be flexible. You can choose homebirth; upwards of 90% of all women can birth at home assisted by midwives. It is a freeing, peaceful, comfortable, and empowering experience. My then twenty-month old son slept through his little brother’s labor, waking up only at the very end to hear his mama roaring like a lion. Know that the details have a way of working themselves out. Sometimes we worry so much about how the birth will go, yet in the end the results are always miraculous. Choose to trust in your body’s wisdom and in the universe’s ability to deliver your baby in the best way for both of you. Trust in your strength as a powerful woman. Prepare by praying, meditating, walking, doing yoga, eating well, breathing deeply, surrounding yourself with only positive people and positive birth stories, and let the rest fall away from your awareness. To me, birth is not a big deal. It is amazing and I am in awe of our strength as women, but for me, it’s just one of the many awesome gifts of womanhood. Know that you have the power to co-create a life-changing experience for your family. You can apply “The Secret” and manifest a perfect birth experience if you so choose, by keeping your thoughts positive, preparing your mind for labor, and trusting it will all be okay. All births are perfect learning experiences. If you had a less than ideal birth experience last time, try to listen to your inner wisdom about making changes before the next one. Pregnancy is an excellent time to take a profound leap of faith. For more
information about this topic, email
Andria@AngelPeace.com. Andria resides in Los Gatos, CA with her two sons. She is a Reiki Master and an Angel Therapy Practitioner® certified by Doreen Virtue, PhD. For more information about home birth, read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin.
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