"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot." - Eleanor Roosevelt
A new study has found that women who have a fear of childbirth have longer labors than those that do not.
Norwegian researchers assessed fear of childbirth with a 33-item questionnaire filled out by pregnant women at 32 weeks of gestation. After excluding those with multiple pregnancies, breech presentation, preterm labor and elective cesareans, they were left with 2,206 women for this study. On average, the women who had the most fears going into labor spent 47 minutes longer in labor than those who were less afraid.
We all have fears of the unknown or of the all too well known. Have you taken the time to look your fears in the face and find ways to put them at ease? The female body is designed to stop labor in unsafe situations. Therefore, the mother being in a heightened state of fear is a trigger for stopping labor. Take the time to investigate any fear that you have.
Look at your attitude and feelings about the birthing process. Educate yourself and learn your options. Surround yourself with a cushion of supportive people both before and during your birth; Leave behind those Negative Nancy’s (or at least those with discouraging or conflicting views from what you want). Set realistic expectations for your labor and birth. Most importantly, take control! This is not something that is happening to you, there are many options on how to birth and handle labor. Research, research, research!
As always, if you have any questions about the birthing process, if you have fears you’d like to discuss with a birth professional or would just like to come in for a fantastic Certified Prenatal Massage (massage alone has been shown to reduce fear and anxiety in many studies,) then please do come in for any of the Transition Prenatal Massage sessions (including the Couples session) or specifically Labor Induction session during which birthing concerns can specifically be addressed.
A new study has found that women who have a fear of childbirth have longer labors than those that do not.
Norwegian researchers assessed fear of childbirth with a 33-item questionnaire filled out by pregnant women at 32 weeks of gestation. After excluding those with multiple pregnancies, breech presentation, preterm labor and elective cesareans, they were left with 2,206 women for this study. On average, the women who had the most fears going into labor spent 47 minutes longer in labor than those who were less afraid.
We all have fears of the unknown or of the all too well known. Have you taken the time to look your fears in the face and find ways to put them at ease? The female body is designed to stop labor in unsafe situations. Therefore, the mother being in a heightened state of fear is a trigger for stopping labor. Take the time to investigate any fear that you have.
Look at your attitude and feelings about the birthing process. Educate yourself and learn your options. Surround yourself with a cushion of supportive people both before and during your birth; Leave behind those Negative Nancy’s (or at least those with discouraging or conflicting views from what you want). Set realistic expectations for your labor and birth. Most importantly, take control! This is not something that is happening to you, there are many options on how to birth and handle labor. Research, research, research!
As always, if you have any questions about the birthing process, if you have fears you’d like to discuss with a birth professional or would just like to come in for a fantastic Certified Prenatal Massage (massage alone has been shown to reduce fear and anxiety in many studies,) then please do come in for any of the Transition Prenatal Massage sessions (including the Couples session) or specifically Labor Induction session during which birthing concerns can specifically be addressed.