Re: [ozmidwifery] birth and the power of the mind

[Marilyn Kleidon]

There are many theories about why some women feel more pain at birth than others. I have been at many straight forward births that were painful, but progressed anyway. We all have different ways of coping and dealing with pain and expectations for what is happening when we feel it. I have a dear friend in California who attended Bradely Childbirth Classes and the word "pain" was forbidden at that time (26 years ago), it worked for her and you can never to this day use the word "pain" in the context of labour contractions around her. After knowing her all this time I realise that pain is a very negative word for her. I, on the other hand, became entranced (please, don't ask me why, 'cause i don't know) with Greek Mythology at a young age and actually liked the Spartans and their toughness. This helped when I had my teeth drilled without novacaine in my teens, and I learnt to escape the very real pain by going outside my body. When I took childbirth classes in the 70's I found the breathing techniques taught really helped me to do this again during labour. However, when I tried to go inside with this method, I just couldn't do it, I had to leave again, it was a strange experience like watching yourself give birth. For the birth of my 3rd daughter in the USA, I was attended by wonderful nurse midwives in Chicago who had me read a lot of books, including "Spiritual Midwifery" by Ina Mae Gaskin plus other writings of hers and  attend yet another set of classes. I found Ina Mae's work illuminating because I realised that my labours were both painful and sensual and so for my third birth was able to embrace this aspect of birth. I would have to say that for that birth second stage was orgasmic. It was also short, but very intense and full of pleasure.  The Farm was in its heh day at the time, and Ina Mae was quite explicit in her writings, which was what I needed at the time.   Some people on this list recently recommended the PINK KIT which I purchased from www.commonknowledge.com and think is most inciteful on birth preparation especially in the instruction given to help a woman and her partner become familar with her pelvis and especially the muscles therein. It seems to me that when labours progress slowly, often times there is tension in those deep muscles that line the inside of the pelvis from the lumbar spine down to the pelvic floor. Relaxation of those muscles so that the baby can descend is quite an art. The birth process is always so interesting.   marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: Frank Jockel To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 10:58 PM Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] birth and the power of the mind An English obstetrician, Dr Grantly Dick-Read, summed it up beautifully in his book, "Childbirth without Pain". In a nutshell, he described the "Fear-Tension-Pain" Syndrome as programming by society on womenkind to expect pain. And what you expect is what you get. The expectation of pain, introduces the "fight or flight syndrome". This increases blood flow to the limbs by 200% -300% and also produces adrenaline. The effect of this, is to direct the blood away from the uterus and placenta where it's needed most critically. The uterus, which needs to expand gradually, is hit with the adrenaline, which constricts muscles. The sum total of this disastrous combination, is PAIN. Simply providing this basic information, goes someway to alleviating this problem, however reprogramming expectant mothers with relaxation and guided imagery, goes alot further. There is a group of therapists who provide a process called HypnoBirthing which is centered around this concept, and the results are spectacular.  Gentle birth, baby entering the world nourished because the placenta has been adequately fed and no trauma.  Regards, Frank Jockel [EMAIL PROTECTED]   -------Original Message-------   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wednesday, 20 November 2002 02:51:32 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [ozmidwifery] birth and the power of the mind   I have often thought that the power of the mind would have a vast impact on labour and so forth. Haven't 'been there' for too many birth and each has been with women who were really sure, informed and so forth, but fear played a HUGE factor in my experiences.  Could people please share their knowledge on how fear can impact (or doesn't if the case may be) on labour lengths and especially in regards to vbac.  My vbac although supported and informed was still long and hard, but the second vbac was great as there was that self assuredly and understanding that my body knew what it was meant to do so my brain didn't fear what my uterus was doing.  Also does anyone have comments on "is simply providing information alleviate fear?"  When women are 'empowered through information' is this really all that needs to be done to empower, or does faith have an important role to play?  Does the faith or trust of those around the birthing women have an impact on her empowerment? There's a couple of questions for those beautiful midwifery students to ponder (and the seasoned professional). Jo Bainbridge founding member CARES SA email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] phone: 08 8388 6918 birth with trust, faith & love...