Have you noticed more pregnant women since you’ve been pregnant? More baby shops, more babies?
Or when you buy a new blue car there seems to be blue cars everywhere!
This happens because of a part of your brain called the Retinacular Activating System (RAS). The brain has to filter out the thousands of pieces of information it is exposed to everyday – around 11 million bits. It has to somehow determine what to focus on as it can only process around 50 bits!
So how does it decide? It focuses on what patterns, beliefs, fears you currently have and shows you more of those!
If you believe that labour and birth is scary, incredibly painful and full of possible danger then you brain will bring you attention to birth stories that show that. Therefore, keeping you in the “fight/flight” mode and releasing adrenaline.
If, however, you decide to re-train your brain you can seek out positive birth stories (and yes, there are many!) as well as positive ways to prepare for birth in an empowering way, then you can train your brain to show you more of that.
Some ways of doing this would be to read empowering birth books such as Birthing from Within (Pam England), Gentle Birth Method (Dr Gowri Motha) Mindful Birthing (Nancy Bardacke) Positive Birth (Milli Hill) as well as attending prenatal yoga classes, practicing birth hypnosis and choosing childbirth education classes which focus on empowerment, innate strength and a positive approach.
Another way is to practise guided visualisations and affirmations – “My body is made to do this” or a phrase that resonates with you. Say it to yourself just before sleep when the subconscious mind is more open or during a deep relaxation in yoga class. Another suggestion is to write down what your “perfect birth” would be, then you might like to put it away or some women prefer to read it regularly. (I did this for my second birth at home and my labour and birth unfolded exactly as I had written!)
You can watch videos such as “Orgasmic Birth” – yes some women do have orgasms during labour or check out “Positive Births” on You Tube
During labour you may choose to have a recording of a positive relaxation or you repeating your affirmations. Or you might prefer visual cues – written affirmations on the wall or beautiful photos which remind you of letting go (such as waterfalls or ocean waves)
So tell you RAS what matters. Focus on a safe, straightforward labour and birth, be aware of your self talk and most of all TRUST that your body has grown your baby beautifully and knows how to birth your baby too!
Have a safe, positive birth and a wonderful, healthy baby.