I’m going to tell you a story……

She’s been contracting for 2 days, though the midwife tells her she’s “not in labour yet”. She’s deflated. (Yes she bloody well is in labour! “Latent phase”, “Early labour” whatever! She’s still contracting. And exhausted! How about some positivity here about the stellar job she’s doing?)

She’s now “only” 6cm. The doctor says it’s “slow progress”. She’s dejected. (“ONLY” 6cm!??? You absolute LEGEND! You’re over half way. Ramp up the cheer squad)

She’s advised to have her labour augmented to “get things moving”. She’s frustrated. (It’s no wonder her contractions aren’t as effective as they should be …. her Oxytocin is fighting to be heard over the Adrenalin!)

The pain is too much. She’s exhausted ....... “I can’t do this without an epidural”. She’s disappointed. (Of course! Adrenalin increases your perception of pain and decreases the efficiency of the contractions. The more that “goes wrong”, the more stress hormones are released. There’s no room for Oxytocin or Endorphins. It’s no wonder you just need a break.)

She can’t feel when to push, and it’s “taking too long” so the doctor decides to deliver the baby with forceps. She feels like a failure. (You fabulous Badass Birthing Goddess. It’s not your fault. Your beautiful body just went through hell and back, fighting against the resistance).

The forceps don’t work so the doctor recommends a Caesarean. She’s ….. probably relieved at this point! But mainly defeated.

So much negativity. It’s not surprising that a woman can feel like a failure during her labour. Especially when NOTHING goes to “plan”.

Unfortunately our health system still requires women to “tick boxes” in labour, dilate at a uniform pace, and stay on schedule. We can’t change that in a hurry. But what we can change is your response to it. Your labour can be affected by a myriad of things, most of them out of your control …….. BUT the hormones of STRESS are the MAIN obstacles in the way.

A simple change in perception could prevent this “cascade of intervention”.

We are superhuman. That is a fact. We have the ability to release a whole pharmacy of awesome pain relieving, 'Wonder Woman' strength-inducing chemicals into our bloodstream, just through the POWER of our thoughts and feelings.

A little positivity goes a long way in labour. If only we could learn how to open that treasure chest of Superpowers when we need to. Oh wait …. WE CAN!!!

Learn how to power up your inner Superwoman with me at Birth Essence. Understand the Nature of Reality and how to Manifest the birth you want, or even just to allow what ever happens and still come away feeling like a Super Hero.

I was feeling creative and artsy ...