One of the main things on my birth plan is to try and relax. I know that babies get born; the female body is pretty darn amazing; the most natural thing in the world; etc. etc. However, the mechanics of the whole thing seem really dodgy to me.
I’ve just started mat leave and in between the million loads of laundry I have to do I now have the chance to learn some yoga techniques. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the courses but was able to book a one off private lesson with a yoga teacher who is also a doola (a professional birth partner).
Basically I want to get myself as calm as I can and to try (to as great a degree as possible) to let my body do its thing without my brain thinking and interfering with silly notions of basic geometry. I am hoping that learning about different breathing techniques will help me control the pain and learning different body positions will help me stay comfortable.
I loved the session and even fell asleep at the end of it I was so relaxed (yes despite my big bump!)
The way I figure it if I arm myself with a load of tools such as breathing and good positions, and Daddy is on top of all the available drugs etc then I shouldn’t have to engage brain for the duration.
Clinical Comment
Simon Mehigan Consultant Midwife
Being able to relax when you are in labour is one of the most important things you can do to help let your body do what it was designed to do…give birth! Yoga is great way of focusing your mind which then allows you to free your muscles from any tension they may have. Some pregnant women use hypnobirthing techniques during pregnancy to get them into a relaxed state before the birth but also to enable them to relax during labour. Liverpool Women’s has recently taken part in a research study in relation to “self hypnosis” for labour the results of which should be available next year.
Learning to relax is also going to also going to come in really handy once your baby is born. Sleepless nights, crying babies on top of the physical process you will be going through to recover from giving birth can sometimes lead to things getting on top of you and all seeming to much to cope with. These feelings are normal, but having some relaxation techniques you can use when things get on top of you can make a huge difference.
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