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Why Labour Hurts – Why It Doesn’t Have To! PAINFREE BIRTHING - A NEW PARADIGM

 When you get told something enough times, you believe it, right? So childbirth is painful, isn't it? It's hard work, painful, and terrifying! Well that's what the movies we watch portray; and what we usually hear from our well-intentioned friends and family and perhaps what we recall from our own experiences. I had heard too many stories of painful childbirth to believe any different. This is how we learn anything in life. When you hear something a certain amount of times, it becomes a belief, and then we expect what we belief, and create it. Let me explain this a little further.

For many women in Australia, birth is painful and even traumatic for both Mother and child. Although this is the truth, it does not have to be the case. What I am about to share with you could be perhaps the best kept secret of our time. The information presented in this article is based off science, the mind-body connection, and ancient-old wisdom. After reading this article, it will not only make complete sense to you, but will forever change the way you think about birth, your body; and hopefully your baby's first impression of the world.

My intention and dream for Australian women is that you know the 'truth' about birth; that birth can be gentle, calm, joyful, and even ecstatic (orgasmic!!!) So if that is the case, then why all the fear around birth? Let me start at the beginning…

HISTORY OF BIRTH

As Marie Mongan explains in her book, 'HypnoBirthing The Mongan Method,' (2005) the 'curse of eve' is a myth which has impacted women's beliefs about birthing in a significant way, contributing to painful births. As early as 3000 BC, women had their babies naturally with a minimum of discomfort, unless there were complications. During the time of Moses, Mongan explains, Jewish women had their babies quite easily, often unassisted, and within a relatively short period. Historical records of the period just prior to the time of Jesus reveal that births were completed in less than three hours.

In other parts of the world such as Spain, the British Isles, France and old Europe, the lives of people centred on nature and motherhood. Women were revered as the givers of life. With no awareness of the link between intercourse and conception, women were thought to be connected to deity and statues of full-breasted women and ballooning bellies were created as symbols of the goddess. When a woman gave birth, everyone gathered around her in a celebration of life. The role of women was to nurture, heal, develop and brew medicine. The role of men was to gather food, herbs and building materials. Their roles, although different, were equal.

During the time of Hippocrates and Aristotle, leaders of the Grecian School of Medicine, men took the lead in medicine, although the attitude toward normal birth remained. There was no mention of pain in birth in either of these learned men's notes. They wrote about the mind-body connection, the importance of a birth support person; and in using deep relaxation in childbirth to resolve any complications.

At the end of the second century A.D, many wise, caring women who had played an instrumental role in birth such as midwives and healers were executed and killed by early misguided Christians, as they were believed to be witches. During this time, Christian leaders set out to redefine the role of women in both society and religion. To ascribe to any importance to the laws of nature became a serious offence, and all writings dealing with natural cures, or natural birth, were seized and buried. Law now demanded that women be segregated during pregnancy and isolated during birth. Since women were branded as seductresses, a pregnant woman was viewed as the product of 'carnal sin,' and she was not allowed to be seen to by a Doctor. During her labour, if there were any complications, she and her baby would often die. Women began to fear giving birth. Not because of the birth itself or it being painful, but because of the large number of deaths that occurred due to complications and no medical support. This left the pregnant woman isolated, and terrified. It was only at this time that 'The Curse of Eve' so Mongan (2005) describes, came to be embedded into biblical translations and society began to 'believe' this to be a truth.

During the early sixteenth century, the first books on obstetrics were written and midwifery came back into practice. However, it was looked upon as a dishonourable occupation. In the late 1800's, Queen Victoria insisted she be given chloroform, a pain relief, during her birth. Chloroform could only be administered safely in hospital and so this is where she gave birth. Following her lead, birth was then moved from the comfort of our home, to the clinical hospital setting so that anaesthetic could be administered. Husbands were no longer a part of the scene, and families then had little control over their birth. Maternity wards were dirty and caused many women to die with an infection called 'childbed fever.' The fear of death became even more strongly associated with giving birth.

This fear has been passed down through our generations. Like any information passed on, the message has been altered. What used to be a fear of death during a complicated birth has morphed into fear of a painful birth. This fear is deeply ingrained in our culture. The perception of many is that birth is painful, and something to be terrified of. Fear will create tension, thus pain, and complications. Let's learn why…

THE ROLE OF OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM IN BIRTH

Our central nervous system is like a telephone system. One of its main functions is to interpret messages being sent from our brain or mind, and then determine what goes on in the body in response to that message. A message can be a thought, or a picture in our mind. The impulses that are transmitted from the nervous system are voluntary or involuntary. Here we are interested in the involuntary responses which consist of two parts: parasympathetic and sympathetic.

The Sympathetic Nervous System

The role of the sympathetic nervous system is to put the body on alert. It is the body's defence mechanism and causes the body to prepare with emergencies or life-threatening situations. It puts our body into the 'fight or flight' mode. Thus our blood pressure and heart rate increase, pupils dilate, and our digestion is suspended. Our organs, including our uterus, are shut down while the blood is taken from our organs to the muscles which will allow us to flee from danger; our arm and our leg muscles. In this state, stressor hormones called catecholamines are secreted which increase the sensation of pain. If we do not feel safe during our pregnancy or labour, we will automatically go into the 'fight or flight' mode.

The Parasympathetic Nervous System

The role of the parasympathetic nervous system is to keep the body and mind in harmony and in balance. It maintains the body functions in a state of calm, slowing the heart rate, reducing stimulation, slowing the firing of harmful neuropeptides, and creates endorphins which are natural pain-numbing hormones. (Mongan, 2005) Endorphins are known to be similar to morphine, in that, they numb pain. Some endorphins are up to 50 times stronger than morphine. Endorphins as Buckley (2005) explains are the feel good hormones. They put us into an amnesiac state and we experience a feel-good high sensation from them, similar to the runner's high after a race. The organs work as they should, and healing can take place. During labour, and in this state, our bodies produce a hormone called oxytocin. Oxytocin is known as the hormone of love and is the same hormone responsible for orgasm, breastfeeding, our contractions, and love making. It helps us to feel nurturing, bonding, loving feelings. If we feel safe during our pregnancy and labour, our body will automatically switch on our parasympathetic nervous system, and allow us to feel relaxed, calm and in control.

Fear – Tension – Pain

When any mammal gives birth in nature, she must feel unobserved, safe, and comfortable. (Mongan, 2005) She likes her privacy, and a quiet, dimly lit area. If she senses impending danger, and begins to experience fear, she will switch on her sympathetic nervous system, automatically go into a 'fight or flight' stage, stall or stop her labour, in case she needs to flee to safety.

We are no different! If we feel uncomfortable, observed, fearful, or tense, we switch our sympathetic nervous on and enter the 'fight or flight' mode. Our body sends the much needed blood from our contracting uterus, to the muscles of the arms and legs. The contracting muscles of the uterus which were working harmoniously together to thin and open the cervix, are now filled with tension as they are trying to contract, but do not have the blood needed to fulfil such a movement. The baby's head is then pushed against a taut cervix and pain is created. (Mongan, 2005) Blood, hence oxygen is deprived not only from the much needed uterine muscles of labour, but to the baby, increasing the chances of foetal distress. Due to the catecholamines secreted in much higher amounts in the mother's blood and decreased endorphins, she will feel an increased amount of sensation or pain during this time. (Reynolds, 1990)

In the HypnoBirthing® The Mongan Method childbirth mind-body education program, they call this the Fear-Tension-Pain syndrome. Interestingly, if this situation arises in a hospital, it will be called Failure-To-Progress and the cascade of intervention will most likely begin. If a labouring woman has gone into this mode, she needs first and foremost, the space and time needed to be able to feel safe. This will switch on her parasympathetic nervous system where she will feel relaxed and calm. Her body will restart labour when she feels safe and unobserved like any other birthing mammal in nature. Often this happens when a woman is labouring beautifully at home, not feeling much sensation at all and progressing well, but then when she arrives at the hospital her labour may stall or stop completely. She may be feeling uncomfortable about the strange place, people, bright lights, observed, or her space may be impinged. Hospitals, although intending to provide safe means for birth, often do not create the most conducive environment for a natural, comfortable birth. Some say that for the process of birth to unfold as smoothly as possible, one must create the same kind of environment as love-making: quiet, safe, dim. It is oxytocin, the same hormone experienced during love-making that allows birth to unfold naturally. So one could assume that to create a similar environment and feeling would assist the process.

There are times when intervention may be absolutely necessary, and we are lucky to have the expertise of highly trained obstetricians. One must listen to their intuition and to their baby/body and make an informed decision by asking questions to find out if, and then why intervention is necessary at that point and what the pros and cons are. Not many women realise that they do have a choice when it comes to intervention and their birth. Although the Doctors will give their opinion as to what they feel may be best for you and your baby, in the end, it is your choice. Do what you feel is best. Hospital staff are usually well-intentioned, but in the end, it is your decision, and you need to do what you feel is right for you in the moment. Make an informed, empowered decision. Become part of the decision making process, not a victim of unnecessary intervention that you may regret later on.

HOW THE MIND AFFECTS THE BODY

Science has now confirmed that our mind (what we visualise, believe, think and feel) has an effect in our body. With every thought or emotion you experience, there is an instant corresponding chemical and physiological response. We have a conscious mind that makes up approximately 5% and an unconscious mind that makes up the 95% of our mind. Your conscious mind is your thinking mind. Your unconscious mind says Tad James in 'Hypnosis, A Comprehensive Guide' "not only holds information that is outside your consciousness, but it also manages sensations and body functions." It stores beliefs, emotions and memories.

Bruce Lipton, cellular biologist in his book 'The Biology of Belief' explains how our beliefs affect our cells and our DNA. Gregg Braden in 'The Divine Matrix' a book written about various different quantum physics experiments describes how our beliefs create our reality. What we believe, our perception, and how we feel, have either a positive healing affect on our body, or a negative, illness-creating affect on our cells. Knowing this explains why just positive thinking does not work. Positive thinking is done with the conscious mind, and is not enough to get what we want. If your subconscious mind has a belief that birth is painful, but your conscious mind is trying to think positively about the birth, you can bet that your subconscious mind will win. It is the most dominant part of our mind.

If your subconscious mind has negative beliefs about birth, or painful memories of past traumatic birth experiences, or associations to birth with what you see in the movies, those images created in your subconscious mind send a message to your nervous system. Your nervous system interprets that as 'birth is dangerous.' This will trigger the 'flight or flight' response.

If you have unconscious negative beliefs/associations, or past trauma and unresolved negative emotions related to your birth, or a past birthing experience, or your approaching birth, these will need to be addressed, and released before your labour. See a professional hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner, Kinesiologist or other professional who deals with releasing blocks in the subconscious mind. The HypnoBirthing® Mongan Method deals directly with addressing, and releasing both conscious and subconscious fears, preparing you and your birth companion for a natural, more comfortable, gentle birth.

Issues of the mind which may trigger the fear-tension-pain syndrome

There are many different conscious or unconscious issues which stem from fear, and can trigger off our sympathetic nervous system during birth. Some are included below:

• Any fear in general that you are feeling at the time
• Fear of pain during labour
• Fear of not being a good parent
• Not wanting the child or not feeling ready
• Fears concerning financial issues
• Fears concerning your relationship
• Feeling unsupported during your pregnancy or labour
• Not feeling comfortable with your choice of birthing place or care provider
• Unresolved past birth trauma
• Fear of tearing or ripping
• Unresolved personal birth issues (issues from your own birth which are not healed)
• Unresolved issues between your parents or in-laws

Jayne, a friend of mine, an experienced midwife told me the story of how fear affected one of her friend's labour. Her obstetrician had told her that if she did not go into labour the following day, she would be induced. As Jayne was speaking to her friend, her friend blurted out how she was feeling really unsupported by her husband. She was feeling very down about it and had not mentioned anything to him. It was really playing on her mind and she was worried about what would happen after the birth between them. Jayne advised her friend to talk to her husband and let him know how she felt. Jayne got a phone call the next day from her friend saying that soon after she had talked to her husband she went into labour!

10 TIPS TO GENTLE CHILDBIRTH

1. Release your fears and all concerns during your pregnancy and most definitely before your labour begins. Talk to a friend or family member, see a professional, or enrol in a birthing program which focuses specifically on this or see a professional to assist you. It will be priceless!
2. Learn self-hypnosis and use it during your labour to manage and even numb sensations! Use the power of your mind to control the level of sensation you feel. HypnoBirthing® teaches this.
3. Trust your body, your baby and nature's process of birth. Your baby is just as much a participant in the process of labour as you are, so trust them and work with them. Some are quick movers, and others need time, nurturing and a little patience. Remember that birth is normal and natural! Your body is designed to do this. Women in comas' have given birth before! Your body just does it. You don't have to 'do' anything to give birth. Dr Michel Odent, well-known natural birth advocate says that one cannot help a physiological process, the point is not to hinder it!
4. Visualise your labour and birth going smoothly and just how you would like it to be. This will reinforce to your subconscious mind, hence your body, that birth is safe, normal and easy.
5. Choose a supportive birthing companion and care providers who support your wishes for a natural birth.
6. Change the word 'pain' to 'sensation.' When you do feel a sensation during labour, accept it, surrender into it, and work with your body. Tensing your body is the worst thing you can do as it will only increase the sensation you are feeling. One must really let go during labour and birth and soften into the process.
7. Relax as much possible and use any breathing techniques you have learnt.
8. Practice daily relaxation (which is the same as self-hypnosis). When your have trained your body in how to relax easily and quickly, you will be more likely able to do this during your labour.
9. Be assertive with the hospital staff, and create an environment that is similar to love-making. One where you feel totally comfortable and able to relax and go within to your body and to your baby. Play relaxing music and have candles or oils burning in dim light.
10. Do not listen to negative birth stories, read material that does not support your wishes for a gentle birth or engage in conversations that are about painful, traumatic birth. Choose to focus on what you want, as that is what you will create.

Reynolds, G, J. (1990) Pain and sensory perversions. Clinical methods. The history, physical and laboratory examinations. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=cm&part=A1581.

Buckley, S. (2005). Gentle birth, gentle mothering: The wisdom and science of gentle

practices of gentle choices in pregnancy, birth, and parenting. Australia: One Moon Press.

Mongan, M. (1982/2005). HypnoBirthing: The mongan method.United States: Health Communications, Inc.

James, T; Flores, L; & Schober, J. (2000) Hypnosis:A comprehensive guide. United Kingdom: Crown House Publishing Limited.

Published in The Art of Healing Magazine and Friends of The Birth Centre Magazine