Today, many Western women have become fearful of birth.
It’s easy to understand why when you take a look at the current birthing landscape.
In countries like the US and Australia, one in three babies are born via c-section, which is major abdominal surgery.
Many labours are artificially induced with powerful drugs, leaving lots of those mothers-to-be feeling like they can’t cope without pain relief.
Usually, this pain relief comes in the form of an epidural.
An epidural means being numb from the waist down, therefore stuck on the bed, and sometimes needing assistance with forceps or vacuum, because mama-to-be isn’t able to push effectively.
Many mothers end up exhausted, some traumatised. Some new dads are finding themselves traumatised too.
Then the parents share their horror stories to those who have yet birthed.
So, what can we do about fear at birth?
Check out this awesome TED talk featuring world famous midwife, Ina May Gaskin.
Also check out our article, Your Top 12 Fears About Childbirth Answered.
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I am scared to give birth because I never know about what pain you will have and if your body would go to where you cannot feel it.this is my first and today is my due date
I would describe it like period pain but it comes in intense waves and goes away, then repeats. The thing to keep in mind is that labour “pain” is productive and you are not begin hurt whereas pain you would normally experience in day to day life is associated with something going wrong where it is intense immediate pain with no brakes (and let’s not forget there aren’t those hormones helping you like they are in labour).
I assume by now you’ve likely had tour baby so I do hope it all went well and you are now enjoying your babymoon
I am scared about giving birth as this is my first baby,any ideas how to stay calm x