What comes to your mind when you think about labour and birth?

For far too many women words such as PAIN, FEAR and ANXIETY spring straight to mind. But why is this? Why are we living in a time whereby despite birth being safer than ever women are more fearful of it?

Well, it makes perfect sense that women feel this way– we have been conditioned to see birth taking place with women’s legs strapped up in stirrups screaming away with medical professionals running around them. Think of the films and TV programmes you have watched; they all tend to unfortunately portray this vision of birth. Horror-style birth stories online, in the same way we are more likely to leave a negative restaurant review we are also more likely to report up a dramatised birth story. So, there we are - all we see and hear of birth is fairly negative, it is therefore no wonder that we live in an epidemic of birth fear and anxiety.

But does it have to be this way? NO.  Absolutely it does not. I have a strong ethos that with the correct education, preparation and support ALL women can have a positive and empowered birth experience. This does not mean all women will have a non-medicated vaginal birth, but it means that planned or unplanned caesarean births, hypnobirths, waterbirths, epidural births, assisted births … every single type of birth … and crucially YOUR birth can be positive.

So HOW do we achieve this? It is important we recognise that labour and birth are as much psychological as they are physical events. This means we need to prepare and condition our mind along with our bodies. Your mind and body are so interconnected we can’t utilise one without the other. If we believe birth will be painful and fearful it is likely that is what our body will experience. But if we challenge this, use tools and techniques to prepare and support our minds and bodies we can change this and birth can be calm, empowering and the most incredible time in your life as you embark on the precious journey to motherhood.

I am very excited to be sharing more on this important and I think, essential, topic at The Baby Show in ExCeL London this year- join me on Saturday 5th March at 2:45 and here is to your birth being incredible.

See you soon!

Pip.

 

In the meantime, why not head over to my Instagram page @midwife_pip or check out my Podcast- Midwife Pip Podcast for lots more pregnancy, birth, and parenting information.

 

About the Author:

Pip is an experienced, practicing Midwifery Sister, MSc graduate, founder of Midwife Pip Podcast, Hypnobirth and Antenatal Educator, co- author of published research and importantly a mum.

Pip is on a mission to ensure all expectant and new mums feel like superwoman during pregnancy and when they give birth. Pip believes passionately that with the right support, honest and evidence-based information all birth should be positive regardless of any twists and turns that may crop up.

For this reason, Pip begun her Instagram page @midwife_pip followed by her online courses where she is on hand to support and guide women through all aspects of pregnancy, birth, and the early postpartum every step of the way. Frustrated by seeing families poorly equipped with conflicting, inaccurate, or unrealistic advice and information Pip decided this was not good enough. Pip is proud of how her Your Pregnancy Journey Course has momentously improved women’s pregnancy experiences as well as running her Antenatal Courses to ensure women and families are prepared with the very best information for their birth and start to parenthood. Friendly, non-judgemental advice and all with the benefit of exclusive community support groups. Pip is here to create empowered, positive experiences for all!