Fear and Anxiety in Giving Birth
Did you know that fear and anxiety in giving birth can affect regular labor? When we are afraid our body tenses up and releases adrenaline. Let’s talk about each of these effects. Today I will talk about tension and next week I will talk about the effects of adrenaline.
One of our first reactions, when we are afraid, is to tense up. Anything from our shoulders to our bottom (which in turn tenses up our pelvic floor muscles – the place baby has to come out!). When we are tense we actually feel pain more. Why? Something we call the fear-tension-pain cycle.
When this cycle is started we are afraid of something and we tense up. When this happens, our bodies perceive pain at a higher level. In labor it can look like this:
“Oh crap, it’s coming! It’s coming! OH NO! Here it is! OUCH, this contraction hurts SO much!”
The whole time this is happening the laboring mom is tensing up her hips, her face, and any other part of her body she can.
So, the question is how do we break this? By replacing fear with knowledge and tension with relaxation. If this is done your perception of pain can be lowered.
If this is able to be accomplished this is what it can look like:
“The contraction is coming. Breathe through it. Oh, it’s here. My body is working to bring this baby down. Keep breathing – focus. And…that contraction is done.”
How do we gain knowledge and relaxation tools for labor?
KNOWLEDGE: Take classes! The best way you, and your partner, can be educated on labor is by taking evidence-based classes where you have an instructor whom you are able to discuss things with and make friends at the same time! Find more information on my classes HERE.
RELAXATION: Take classes, practice, and hire a DOULA! A doula can help provide a calm, and relaxing environment no matter where you birth.
Join me next week as we discuss what happens when we tense up and our body releases adrenaline!
TAMMY VILLAVICENCIO, RN
I am a childbirth instructor and Spinning Babies® educator certified by the Global Childbirth Educator Network (GCEN), as well as a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Educator and Spinning Babies Aware Practitioner. I have years of experience supporting families through pregnancy, labor and birth, and postnatally.
Originally from Michigan, I spent eleven years in Mexico working with a non-profit helping build home for the poor, teaching children and adults, and serving with various humanitarian and religious groups. My passion for education and supporting women came from seeing women birth in less-than-perfect situations.