There was a clock on the wall in the birthing suite for DD's birth and unfortunately for me, I used it as my focus point. I stared at that thing, watching the minutes tick past so painfully. I didn't have the energy to ask DH to remove it (and I was scared for him to leave my side anyway). This time around, I will be birthing in the same hospital and DH is under strict instructions to remove any clock from my line of sight.
I was thinking that I'd put up a photo of DD, in the few minutes after she was born - y'know that face that each mum must have regardless of circumstances of birth when you first see your baby. DH managed to take photos of DD in my arms, of me bawling and her looking up at me. The photo inspires me so much, even now almost three years on, that even through my fear and uncertainty of a first labour, I did get there in the end (even though it was a forceps delivery). I want that photo up to remind me that I CAN do it, I HAVE done it and there is nothing to be afraid of.
Was there anything that you looked at or stared at during your labour to give you strength? What tools did you use to get you through, to help your focus and concentration?
I don't think I focused on anything visual in labour with Amelia, but during pushing I know I focused 100% on the part of my leg that was "feeling" contractions. Don't remember seeing anything at that point at all! Perhaps I had my eyes closed? Ask PZ, she seems to remember more than anyone else who was there
With DD1 I was focused on trying not to physically harm the horrible midwife who I had been graced with having for my labour and birth.
With DD2 I focused on the clock in the car whilst we were driving, then the clock in the birthing suite. But that was because I had given DH and DD1 2min to get to the birthing suite before I pushed, they only just made it. Whilst pushing I just closed my eyes and went off into my own little world, and let my body do its job.
With DD3, I skipped the clocks and the midwife, and shut my eyes and went off into my own little world again. It was kind of like meditating really. I just totally relaxed, and took my own ego away from my body and let me body control what it had to do. This time round I was a tad sad labour and birth was over, I was really in an awesome groove.
Oooo good idea PRM.. I was wondering what I should bring for a visual focus this time round. A photo of my first born is a great idea!
Last time I closed my eyes and focused on making sound and feeling the flowing through my mouth and my breathing. That seemed to work. I don't remember if I focused on anything visual.
I've long been a less than average sleeper. I've learned over the years that the one thing that sends me off to sleep is listening to the sound of my own breathing and matching it with the sounds waves make when they crash into the beach. It helps calm me, erase any worries and sends me off to sleep. I wonder if a recording or something like this (even my own imagination doing it) will help? I need to stay calm. I'm usually pretty good during something that's intense, but I felt a bit out of control last labour and I really need to reign it in this time.
both my parents have passed away(my dad passed 2 weeks before i gave birth DD1 at the same hospital so it was really important for me to have their photos as my focal point. for DD2's birth i had same photos as well as one of DD1 just after she'd been born and put on my chest . my doula also had calming music playing in the background which helped me immensely. my favourite track was 'Super Woman' by Alicia Keyes and to this day whenever i listen to it, it brings back beautiful memories of what was both a joyous and bittersweet time for me
I had my eyes closed and all mention of time was banned!
I was focused internally in a kind of spiritual way on how my body and my baby were working together. I focused on moving around on my knees in the water and the sounds that I made through each contraction/push.
In between I talked to everyone or listened to their conversations. I talked to the baby too. I was there to do a job and I was determined to see it through. And I kept reminding myself each contraction was one step closet to holding my baby.
I had a flower opening visualisation in early labour. Completely forgot about it when things really kicked off!
I had my eyes closed and concentrated on the actual contraction, never thought to have a focal point. Woulda been a good idea though!
I did have a clock and at one point I thought I couldnt go on as the clock had moved 2 minutes and it felt like hours.......it was! The batteries had gone flat
I had my eyes closed for about 5 hours of my 6 hour labour. I focused on my breathing, which I sucked through my teeth, the feel and smell of my face being buried into the fit ball, and visualised a flower opening up. The breathing was thesis thing for me. Once I got that right, it was perfect.
With DD I was petrified and induced and it was REALLY painful. All I could think of was the pain. Labour lasted 23hrs from first contractions to birth. I was on my back in bed with monitors and the drip in and I was miserable, scared of a c/s (which had been threatened because my labour was slow). Thankfully, with DS's 1 and 2, the shower was a godsend, I moved around more, and my gorgeous Doula helped me focus. And once things got really serious, I closed my eyes and focused on the contractions, feeling the baby and my breathing. I thought of the contractions as my body pushing baby down and out and visualised it. I didn't think of it as being painful.
I was all about sound, making my breaths in as long as possible, and breaths out were long, loud, almost musical aaaaaaaahhhhs. I had a lot of music on that I found strength giving, which was amazing for me.
I have no idea about when I was pushing. Apparently it was 2 hours 20 min, but it felt like about 5 minutes. I think I was just focused on how awesome it was to be pushing I do know that I paid attention to the light, so my eyes must have been open. The sun was setting, and it was one of those lovely pink and orange golden sunsets and it was streaming in to the room making it all beautiful colours.
I was focused on the clock, counting down each contraction, realisng that everyone I got through meant it was one less till i got to meet DS.
Even if I didnt like the clock their, they now have huge ones in the rooms at the northern dont think i could move it if i wanted too??
With Moo I couldn't think of anything besides the pain, plus I had my eyes closed. It's going to sound silly but with Buster all I could think of was a nice, long, hot shower! I just kept thinking that after all of this I was going to get that wonderful shower and it was going to be total bliss etc Funnily enough once he was born I wasn't even that interested in showering and had the quickest one I could get away with! I also concentrated on relaxing. I was on my knees and my waters were running down my legs, I found that if I tensed up during a contraction my waters would stop of course, was a great way to remind myself to relax.
What was your focus during labour?
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so it was really important for me to have their photos as my focal point. for DD2's birth i had same photos as well as one of DD1 just after she'd been born and put on my chest 
. my doula also had calming music playing in the background which helped me immensely. my favourite track was 'Super Woman' by Alicia Keyes and to this day whenever i listen to it, it brings back beautiful memories of what was both a joyous and bittersweet time for me 
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