The Advantages of a Mindful Birth preparation
Mindful Birth classes are very different to other information based pregnancy classes. We are focussed on developing skills that you can apply not just in your pregnancy and labour but generally in your new life as a parent. You will learn to develop awareness, trust and understanding in your body. You will grow in confidence as you prepare mentally and physically and emotionally for the birth of your child and your birth as a parent.
Our classes will major on the following topics (click on a topic to find out more):
- what we mean by a mindful birth experience
- the myths and the facts - why birth is painful for some people and not for others
- conditioning your mind and body to deeply relax
- special breathing techniques for the different stages of labour
- massage techniques to release endorphins
- how to design your own affirmations
- a summary of birth scenarios, tips on how to cope and writing your own birth plan
- the important role for fathers in the birth process
- mindful breastfeeding
Your course will start with an interactive discussion of the reasons why being mindful (achieving a clear mind and true awareness) is integral to a calm birth experience. Later on in the course Marie shares with you her own mindful birth of her daughter which brings the course to life. She explains which affirmations and visualisations she used to stay grounded in the present moment completely aware of her own body and anchoring a level of deep relaxation.
We know that women experience the sensations of labour very differently. It is a unique experience. We share with you the facts about our physiology and how we psychologically deal with pain. Through powerful imagery and careful explanations you will learn to how to minimise the discomfort of labour and some women will even go on to have a pain-free experience.
We know that once a thought is accepted and acted upon by the mind, behaviour becomes easier with each subsequent similar thought. We will show you how to deeply relax and through practise of this in your own time you will condition your mind and body to remain calm. By imagining a safe place for the conscious mind to feel at peace the mother's birthing instincts will take over. A relaxed physical state optimises the flow of hormones and oxygen so that the powerful uterine muscles can do their work effectively.
For the most part of labour your entire body will be relaxed and your only efforts will be to stay calm, focussed and grounded in the present moment. There is a special breathing which can help with this. During your contractions you will experience the tightening of the uterine muscles, a wave like sensation and we will teach a special breathing for this also. For the birthing phase we explain the sensations you will experience and what you can do to work with the powerful expulsive reflex as the baby moves down and out.
We teach several kinds of massage during the course. These will help relax you, release endorphins and enhance your connection with your body. Massage is one of the key ways that your partner can help you during labour as he (/she) tunes into the rhythm of your labour and helps you deepend your relaxation.
Affirmations are a vital way of securing a positive attitude towards your labour. We provide suggestions of what your affirmations might be through the course CD and the materials. We even go further and guide you towards creating some of your own.
Every labour is a unique journey. It is not possible to predict what your experience will be. However, we can discuss the medical system here in The Netherlands and how to make your personal birth choices. Some scenarios here are special amongst Western society and to be applauded for example the high home birth rate and continued training to enable vaginal breech births. We talk about some scenarios and what you can do when you face choices.