Fear of suffering, fear of complications? Childbirth is a unique moment. Each time, it is the unknown. The essential so as to stay zen.
Table of contents
- Become familiar with contractions so that you can stay calm on the big day
- On the day of the birth, we find the right ally
- To stay Zen, get a massage
- Let’s go for the Coué method!
- On the day of the birth, we think about our baby
- We listen to music
- Sing now
- We trust the medical team
- Epidural or not?
- Take a deep breath!
Become familiar with contractions so that you can stay calm on the big day
Similar to period pains but much more potent, contractions are painful. They last about one or two minutes and are not all of the same intensity, which gives us a little respite. The main thing is that you don’t tense up; you let the work happen.
On the day of the birth, we find the right ally
Most of the time, the dad will attend the birth with us, and he too will have participated in the preparation classes. He will be able to breathe with us, help us keep our composure and lend us a strong shoulder when we need to hold on. Sometimes it’s more like a friend or a sister the important thing is that this person is there, listening to you.
To stay Zen, get a massage
Thanks to the “Bonapace” preparation, our man learned to massage our different painful areas during contractions. This partly blocks the transmission of the pain message to the brain. This method reduces the stress experienced by the couple by encouraging the father’s participation during the birth. So let’s take advantage of it!
Let’s go for the Coué method!
We all tend to be apprehensive about the pain of childbirth. It’s normal with everything we’ve heard, but we can also see things differently. We go to the maternity hospital to live an extraordinary experience: the birth of our child. So we are optimistic. Especially since 90% of deliveries go well, there are few cesarean sections, and all the examinations carried out beforehand have confirmed that the baby is in perfect health.
On the day of the birth, we think about our baby
We’ve been dreaming about this for years, and we’ve been waiting nine months for it! In a few minutes or even a few hours, we will give life to our child. We will be able to take it in our arms to pamper it. These little moments of tenderness will make us forget everything.
We listen to music
This is possible in many maternity hospitals. We find out about it beforehand, and before the big day, we prepare our playlist. We prefer soft music, such as soul or jazz, which will allow us to relax and not focus on the difficult moments. We’ll be in our world, which is reassuring and important. When we are relaxed, the cervix opens more quickly.
Sing now
Did you know that singing is a natural painkiller during childbirth? The production of low-pitched sounds by our body increases the production of beta-endorphins, which soothes the pain during labor. In addition, when we sing, we tend to move our pelvis and adopt vertical positions, which act on the dilation of the cervix. One can also “vibrate” low tones, as in the “Enchanted Birth” technique.
We trust the medical team
Normally, we already know them all, having met them before the big day. The midwife, the gynecologist and the anesthetist will be there to help and guide us. The midwife is the most present because, whatever the structure, she is the one on duty and welcomes us. We don’t hesitate to ask her about anything that frightens us; she will be able to reassure us. The pediatrician and the anesthetist are ready to intervene in case of complications, so we stay calm.
Epidural or not?
More than 60% of women ask for it, and for a good reason: it is the most effective way to numb the pain. For some mothers, it is a good way to keep the calm necessary for the baby’s birth. Especially since epidurals are now “lightened” and make it possible to preserve sensations, particularly during the push.
Take a deep breath!
Do you remember the advice of the midwife during the preparation for childbirth? Now is the time to apply them. Normally, you have learned the different breathing techniques that correspond to a specific phase of delivery. During the labor phase or the dilation of the cervix, the breathing will be abdominal, slow. Just before birth, we continue with the same rhythm. This will allow us to slow down our desire to push when the moment has not yet come. For the expulsion, we do a quick inspiration, then a slow and forced expiration.
Conclusion
Your mental wellbeing in pregnancy is just as important as your physical health to help you avoid unexpected anxiety and stressful situations during your birthing experience; the above are some of the tips for stress-free childbirth and often pain-free birth.