Congratulations!
How are you feeling? Have you been swamped with negative pregnancy and birth stories yet? Almost everyone seems to have at least one horror to share...and they do - what a pity!
After a lifetime of hearing negative stories, it is little wonder you could be feeling a wee bit terrified by now! Those stories seem to cover everything from days of screaming agony, being torn from one end to the other, to depression, the end of lovemaking, unfaithful husbands and years of misery. Seriously, if you believed it was all 100% true, there is no way you'd volunteer to have a baby, right?!
But, some of it sticks, sometimes even when your head says, "What rubbish!" It all starts in the womb. There is increasing research evidence that stress & anxiety among pregnant women brought about biological changes in their babies, making them more susceptible to depression in later life.(University of Newcastle 2008) You & your baby don't need to become another statistic. I can help you release those fears and help you feel in control, and happily looking forward to bringing your child into the world.
Perhaps you have already had a negative birthing experience which left you or your partner feeling anxious and fearful about your next time? Let me help you release and heal that pain, so you can bond with and enjoy your child, and feel empowered to welcome another.
It is the natural male instinct to protect his female from harm, so it is not uncommon for MEN to feel excluded and powerless during pregnancy and birth if they haven't been actively involved in the mental and practical preparation. The Pregnancy Emotion Detox Workshop is designed for partners too, or he may feel more comfortable with a few one-on-one sessions. A confident, supportive, calmly reassuring partner or support person is an enormous asset for any birthing woman.
Perhaps it is not the birth per se, but the financial or career or relationship or body image or self identity issues that are concerning you? Perhaps you don't know what it is, you just don't feel right. We can work through these issues together, especially the unidentified ones, so that you feel resourceful and capable again.
You are in a life-changing stage of your journey, and whether it is the most empowering, amazing experience of your life, or whether you are left feeling emotionally battered, can be your choice. Does that sound harsh? Not for a second am I suggesting you can control the birth, but you can control your preparation through pregnancy and your attitude before and during birth. Read how easily.
It doesn't matter what process the birth takes, whether short or long, natural or caesarean, at hospital, home or in the taxi, with drugs or without - seriously, any or all of those processes can be either a wonderful or traumatic birth experience.
What is most important is how the birthing mother feels:
Do you feel safe?
Do you feel supported by the people with you? e.g. is that pride or sheer terror on your partner's face?
Do you and your support people trust in birth? e.g. understand the natural process and how your body and your baby are designed to work together during birth, the power and role of your natural hormones, and the helpful role of working pain.
Do you & your support have the confidence and knowledge to make informed decisions?
Are you feeling acknowledged as the 'expert' of your body and your baby?
A positive birthing, no matter what process it took, gives you the confidence to care and nurture your baby, yourself and family.
So are you all alone in this? Is simply feeling confident enough? Of course not!
Knowledge is power, and there are many places you and your support people can learn all you need to know about your choices and how to prepare yourselves. Afterall they can't be much support if they aren't on the same page as you!
Bring your partner and support people along to Growing Content's Pregnancy Emotion Detox Workshops, small groups, no re-living of trauma, and a great chance for them to clear their buildups of negative emotions from the past so they can be as calm and supportive as you need them to be. Obviously the workshop benefits flow on to all areas of their lives, not just that one day when you welcome your baby into the world.
In Brisbane I suggest you start with Birth Talk at www.birthtalk.org and Childbirth Education Association at www.ceabrisbane.asn.au
For overall well-being support such as naturopathy, massage, acupuncture www.paddingtonclinic.com.au
I look forward to helping you make this birth the most empowering, amazing experience of your life. Contact me to discuss your needs now.
P.S. Have a Babymoon!
I heard this great concept recently and would love to see it adopted everywhere! It's derived from the traditional "laying in" period where in some societies women were expected to rest in bed and be waited upon for a week after giving birth.
In the modern Babymoon, as preparation pre-birth you draw up or photocopy a weekly timetable which you can use as a roster. When someone says they would love to help you out or come over to see how you are getting on once baby arrives, you or your partner whips out your roster, smiles and firmly says: "That'd be really appreciated, would you cook a dinner for Tues night, and perhaps give the bathroom a quick clean while you are here. Thanks so much!"
No need to feel guilty or embarassed - it's a win-win situation, if you remember to write them in so there are no double-bookings!
Instead of feeling you have to rush around and clean/tidy the place then entertain your 'guests', while trying to stay awake and not feel resentful, you have a useful alternative.
You can relax, enjoy getting to know your baby, and recover much faster. You retain control of your home and life. Those who genuinely care about you will appreciate the chance to give practical help. Those who don't will quickly leave you and your baby in peace, and that has to be a good thing!
To link in with a professional skilled in helping you clear fears and unresolved issues quickly, freeing you to enjoy your pregnancy and birthing, contact Sue Lester now.
| 
