Building a Strong Mental Fortitude for a Positive Birth Experience
Hi Mama!
We're thrilled to have you with us as we journey together toward the beautiful and empowering birth experience you desire. In this blog, we’ll be diving into a crucial aspect of birth preparation: mental fortitude in labor.
Birth is an incredibly beautiful and transformational experience; birth is also probably the hardest thing you will ever experience. It can be the most empowering experience of your life followed by joy and euphoria OR the most disempowering and traumatic experience followed by depression.
What is Mental Fortitude?
Mental and emotional strength in facing difficulty, adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.
When it comes to birth, what do these things look like?
Difficulty: Birth is challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally
Adversity: An unplanned birth outcome or intervention
Danger: A situation or intervention that causes harm or trauma
Temptation: Did someone say ‘epidural’?!
Why is Mental Fortitude Important?
I believe a great labor experience is more mental than it is physical. A strong mental fortitude can help you cope with discomfort, it can help you stay flexible and adapt to changing circumstances with labor being unpredictable, it can help you stay focused and persevere through each stage of labor (especially if your labor ends up being “long”), and it can make the experience more fulfilling and empowering.
So how do you build a strong mental fortitude for your birth?!
Take radical responsibility for your body and your baby
Educate yourself so you stay in a peaceful state of knowing
Put together a team you trust who can support you
Create a list of positive affirmations about your strength and capabilities
Challenge yourself to do things on a daily basis to get outside your comfort zone
Learn how to calm your nervous system when needed: practice deep breathing and relaxation
Visualize a positive birth experience, visualize the birth you desire
Identify your “WHY”: What type of birth do you desire and WHY
Stay tuned…
for more tips, stories, and resources on how to have your best birth!
And in the meantime, if you are looking for in-person support in Orange County, LA County, San Diego County, and the Inland Empire, click the button below to schedule your FREE consultation for any of the following services:
Birth Classes
Birth & Postpartum Doula Services
Birth Photography & Videography
Placenta Encapsulation
Lactation Support
Birth Planning Sessions
& More!
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