Coping with Fears of Labor

This full article is published here (commentary is mine).

In order to resolve fear and prepare actively for your childbirth consider the following guidelines:

• Realistic coping skills and education to the normal process of birth. (Read lots and lots of books until you get bored with the topic because you know it so well. It will help you, to understand what is actually happening in labor and birth.) Take classes that teach the normal process of birth and read books that emphasize what goes right and why, rather than focusing on what can go wrong.
• Read stories of births that went well (Ina May's Guide to Childbirth!!!), women who coped with the intensity of contractions and were supported in the labor process, by a doula and/or their partners. Allow yourself to take in the positive experiences women have to balance the messages you heard growing up. This is an important part of the healing from [other's] emotional pain around childbirth. But do not stop there.
• Use a body centered hypnosis and visualization tape for resolving your fears. Create a birth visualization on tape that you can use in preparation for labor. Address your fears, rather than run away them. (I would have thought before I gave birth that this kind of thing is really pretty hokey, but this is essentially what I did during Hypnobirthing classes, and it's what helped more than anything. Imagine beginning labor with calmness and confidence!!) Embedding a new story about birth in your nervous system must take place experientially to be effective. Doing so, will calm your mind and ready you for labor, rather than leave you a victim of your fear. This preparation allows you to replace the negative messages embedded experientially through the limbic system, which holds the emotional charge of [other's] stories about childbirth. The experiential process is critical to allowing you to separate from [other's] negative experience and be ready for your own positive labor and childbirth.
• Create a birth plan and assemble your birth team. (Get a doula! GET A DOULA!!) Allow yourself to be supported during this significant life event. Choose a birth practitioner that supports the way you want to give birth, whether you do so with an epidural or not. Consider having a doula present who is experienced in helping women cope with the normal and healthy intensity of labor. Prepare with your partner for this pivotal family life event. Some of the best anesthesia is the soothing that comes from genuine, supportive encouragement! (Absolutely true!!!)

Research shows that respect for the woman during the process of labor and childbirth, and a woman's active participation in the experience, are key contributing factors to positive feelings of self-esteem in birthing women. Addressing your fears about the birth through active education and preparation is what will allow you to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

* Get educated. * Face your fears. * Hire a doula.

More articles here and here.