I was at a birth where I happened to be in just the right location and position to snap this picture. With a little help from a built in graphic program this is the result, I will admit, that I love this capture......
But this is more than just a lucky shot. It has occurred to me recently that this is what we all hope birth looks like.
In birth we need only a few things present to be successful really.....
A. A SAFE PLACE OF COMFORT
After all birth can be a tad uncomfortable, so warm buoyant waters and relaxed positioning is just the ticket. Also low light for ambiance and the baby's adjustment to light on the outside is helpful as well.
We all tend to relax a bit in low light. I think it is because it feels as if we blend into the scenery rather than being put on display.
A physically safe place is a must, but I also think that privacy should fall under this category. We need to focus on the task at hand without wondering who is looking on and what they are thinking. Is our hair messed up, or are we doing it right? Am I making too much noise, funny faces, or even "Am I exposed?" Privacy is key for many people.
B. CALM SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
I don't care who is in the room with you, you could bring Barnum and Bailey's Circus into the room (like I did) and if that is calming for YOU, then it would be just the right thing for YOU. But if there is a person who for whatever reason, it could be that they have a funny smell to them, or a voice that sounds similar to nails on a chalkboard to you, or anything more seriously uncomfortable than that, it doesn't matter, they should not be invited to attend your birth. Birthing is about relaxing into the process and opening yourself up to allow your baby to join you in this outside world. Any situation which causes you to do other than relax is not helpful....ie only positive 'affective' people should be involved in the process. Whether you are about to be a single parent with no family, or a two parent family with the extended app. of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents etc all waving pompoms, it doesn't matter, you need uplifting words and works around you and YOU need to feel uplifted. So choose people who speak your love language. People who hear green when you say green. People who 'get' you.
C. A PLAN
I can't stress this enough. Do a little homework before you go into labor. Find out what the realities of birth are. Then figure out what it is that you can do to prepare to be successful. Realistic expectations and a plan can take you a long way.
So no matter if your plan includes your significant other, a sibling, or a paid Doula or a combination of all of these, decide before hand what you think you might need, and then be a bit flexible with yourself, after all, babies cause several changes in your body....all at once. So nothing is set in stone...(so the people you choose should be mental gymnasts and physically flexible as well).
D. Knowledgeable People
Giving birth can be distracting and downright hard work at times, ok often, but what I am getting at is that we need to be able to pay attention to what our bodies are doing in birth and have confidence that the caregiver we have chosen, is capable and confidently watching our process and able to secure ours and our newly entering little person's health and welfare. There needs to be TRUST in that relationship. There is great stress in wondering if our caregiver knows what is going on and can handle the situation. Choose wisely and make any necessary changes, BEFORE you go into labor!
There are I am sure, other things to consider, but in my experience, these are the basics, which is why I love this image. It reminds me that success is not only achievable, but joyfully achievable. Would you look at those smiles. I guarantee mom was grinning from ear to ear as well!
Just a few things I have been thinking about.
Be well.
Cheers, Crickett
But this is more than just a lucky shot. It has occurred to me recently that this is what we all hope birth looks like.
In birth we need only a few things present to be successful really.....
A. A SAFE PLACE OF COMFORT
After all birth can be a tad uncomfortable, so warm buoyant waters and relaxed positioning is just the ticket. Also low light for ambiance and the baby's adjustment to light on the outside is helpful as well.
We all tend to relax a bit in low light. I think it is because it feels as if we blend into the scenery rather than being put on display.
A physically safe place is a must, but I also think that privacy should fall under this category. We need to focus on the task at hand without wondering who is looking on and what they are thinking. Is our hair messed up, or are we doing it right? Am I making too much noise, funny faces, or even "Am I exposed?" Privacy is key for many people.
B. CALM SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
I don't care who is in the room with you, you could bring Barnum and Bailey's Circus into the room (like I did) and if that is calming for YOU, then it would be just the right thing for YOU. But if there is a person who for whatever reason, it could be that they have a funny smell to them, or a voice that sounds similar to nails on a chalkboard to you, or anything more seriously uncomfortable than that, it doesn't matter, they should not be invited to attend your birth. Birthing is about relaxing into the process and opening yourself up to allow your baby to join you in this outside world. Any situation which causes you to do other than relax is not helpful....ie only positive 'affective' people should be involved in the process. Whether you are about to be a single parent with no family, or a two parent family with the extended app. of siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents etc all waving pompoms, it doesn't matter, you need uplifting words and works around you and YOU need to feel uplifted. So choose people who speak your love language. People who hear green when you say green. People who 'get' you.
C. A PLAN
I can't stress this enough. Do a little homework before you go into labor. Find out what the realities of birth are. Then figure out what it is that you can do to prepare to be successful. Realistic expectations and a plan can take you a long way.
So no matter if your plan includes your significant other, a sibling, or a paid Doula or a combination of all of these, decide before hand what you think you might need, and then be a bit flexible with yourself, after all, babies cause several changes in your body....all at once. So nothing is set in stone...(so the people you choose should be mental gymnasts and physically flexible as well).
D. Knowledgeable People
Giving birth can be distracting and downright hard work at times, ok often, but what I am getting at is that we need to be able to pay attention to what our bodies are doing in birth and have confidence that the caregiver we have chosen, is capable and confidently watching our process and able to secure ours and our newly entering little person's health and welfare. There needs to be TRUST in that relationship. There is great stress in wondering if our caregiver knows what is going on and can handle the situation. Choose wisely and make any necessary changes, BEFORE you go into labor!
There are I am sure, other things to consider, but in my experience, these are the basics, which is why I love this image. It reminds me that success is not only achievable, but joyfully achievable. Would you look at those smiles. I guarantee mom was grinning from ear to ear as well!
Just a few things I have been thinking about.
Be well.
Cheers, Crickett
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