Fear and Birth

Heights.
Spiders.
Dentists.
Clowns.

....Childbirth. 

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We all have our fears, whether we like to admit them or not. For me, it's heights. I love the mountains, but don’t ask me to stand near a cliff. I ain’t doing it!

But why does childbirth have to be one of those common fears? In a world full of fiercely independent and strong women, I have to wonder...why are we so afraid of something that is so natural?

I'm not writing this as a way to bash women who have fears where childbirth is concerned. That is a legitimate feeling. What I want to do is uncover why the fear is there in the first place and how to deal with it.

Unfortunately, we live in a society whose media loves to dramatize birth...in the worst way.

via GIPHY

via GIPHY

The simple truth is, we fear that which we do not understand. And even if you take a childbirth class, 99% of them are just classes teaching you tips, tricks, and methods to make it less painful.

Can I just be blunt with you? There is no easy fix to birth. You've grown a human inside your body. The placenta alone leaves an open wound inside your uterus, regardless of how you give birth.

I believe what parents really need is an education on what's happening during labor and birth. What is it that is happening to your body to cause the pain? What options might you be presented with in your birth setting? What are your options in birth setting, drugs or no drugs, and what are the side-effects of those choices?

We live in a "get rich quick" society. Maybe it's really always been that way. Maybe it's gotten worse with the internet and smartphones with endless information at our fingertips. Yet, even with all that information out there, we still lack basic understanding of childbirth.

Enter: Birth Boot Camp.

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Birth Boot Camp is not a method. It's not a quick fix. It's not a get out of jail free card.

It IS education, an investment, and power through knowledge. I believe in Birth Boot Camp because it is pure education. Options you didn’t know you had, decisions you never thought about, and variations of normal you didn’t know were normal...all of this and more is covered in class, as well as comfort measures, relaxation techniques, and labor positions.

Birth does not have to be scary. Knowledge is powerful. You can have an amazing and powerful birth! After all, birth matters. But that’s a discussion for another day...