How exciting that there are more and more studies being done about the effects of pregnant and laboring women's emotional and mental states on birthing outcomes. This particular study finds that women who fear birth have longer labors. 

http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/27/fearing-childbirth-may-prolong-labor/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-57463127-10391704/women-who-fear-childbirth-have-longer-labor-times-study-finds/ 

Researchers at Akershus University Hospital in Norway found women who feared giving birth were in labor for 1 hour and 32 minutes longer, on average, than those who had no fear. 

"I'm glad there's now evidence to say that," Fischbein said, "but it's obvious." 

...duh...

According to the study, women who are fearful of labor and birth have longer labors and are more likely to need emergency c-section and assisted delivery (vaccum/ forcep extraction). 

Now, is that really a wonder? 

Grantly-Dick Read, in the early twentieth century, talked about how fear affects the effective working of the uterine muscles. Go back to the earliest times - the fathers of the Grecian school of medicine - Hippocrates and Aristotle -talked about the importance of the woman's emotional state, and the mind-body connection in labor and birth. Even the Qur'an tells us the story of Maryam r.a. and how she was told by Allah swt "not to grieve" and to delight in the sustenance (dates and water) that He provided. 

And yet, modern medicine is just recently becoming interested in how our emotional and mental states affect our physical, biological states. It has been so focused on treating the body in isolation and as separate and independent of our mind and spirit. 

Indeed it is an exciting time.. as Elena Tonetti says "We are approaching an era where science and spirituality are converging.."
Hear hear.

Huh..
Interesting study of the title above -- comparing women's attitudes towards birth with birthing outcomes and experiences.

http://7thspace.com/headlines/415452/the_influence_of_womens_fear_attitudes_and_beliefsof_childbirth_on_mode_and_experience_of_birth.html

 "Conclusions: In this study three clusters of women were identified. Belonging to the 'Fearful'cluster had a negative effect on women's emotional health during pregnancy and increased the likelihoodof a negative birth experience. Both women in the 'Take it as it comes'and the 'Fearful'cluster had higher odds of having an elective caesarean compared to women in the 'Selfdeterminers'. Understanding women's attitudes and level of fear may help midwives anddoctors to tailor their interactions with women."

 

I stumbled upon this interesting article yesterday about how Hypnosis is occasionally used in medical settings to help patients dissociate themselves from pain and minimize their need for anesthesia. The article is written by two Australian anesthetists.http://theconversation.edu.au/explainer-how-does-hypnosis-relieve-pain-7060 
 
For years before pharmacological anesthesia came about, patients underwent surgical procedures while under hypnosis. In present day hospital settings, patients may feel overwhelmed by external situations, such as the stress of the hospital environment, and become more vulnerable and responsive to suggestions given by their doctor. So the doctor's suggestion can function as a hypnotic suggestion - if he says "this will hurt" - the patient actually feels increased pain; alternatively, if he says "relax it will be fine", the patient feels less pain.

As a woman who has birthed twice and having been involved in the birth community for some years, this is so true when it comes to birth. The birthing woman's senses are extremely heightened. She is focused inwards and yet at the same time suggestions/ comments from others, especially her care-provider (whom she usually holds in high regard) can affect her tremendously. If her husband or Birth Companion, says positive things to her such as "Relax, Trust your Body", this can have a soothing and calming effect on her mind AND her body. If on the other hand, her nurse or doctor asks "Do you feel any pain? Would you like an epidural?"---- this will also affect her, but in adverse way. She may not have felt any pain prior to this, but once the reference to pain and drugs is mentioned, she starts to believe that she is meant to feel pain, and then she actually WILL. She then takes on the role of "helpless patient" and may ultimately unwittingly give up control of making decisions in her birth to her care-providers.

So what can we do?
1) Choose your careprovider VERY carefully

This is a major decision you'll make that may determine your chances of having a gentle birth. Interview your doctor, and observe the way he/ she talks to you and treats you. Does he come from a very cautious viewpoint about birth? Is his philosophy - birth needs to be helped by medicine? Or is he happy to let nature take its course? Usually mothers are very instinctual and can tell if doctor is just stringing her along or if he really intends to honor her wishes for a gentle natural birth.

2) In your birth preference sheet, state that you would appreciate that labor ward staff to refrain from any references to pain or drugs in the birthing room, and communicate this to your care-provider

Depending on your doctor, he may or may not have control over this. If he is known to be  a pro-natural doctor, the nurses and midwives may be used to his style of working and refraining from suggestions of medical help to his patients. Other times, its hit-and-miss - it will depend on which nurse or midwife is on duty on the day.

2) Do research about your intended place of birth well before your EDD.

Find  out the attitudes of the staff in the labor ward. This will tell you alot about what their philosophy is - Do they rush to administer drugs to you to help labor along? Do they encourage natural means of managing labor? e.g. Do they encourage you to utilize hot showers, walking, changing positions, etc? 

3) Hire a Doula
 
A Doula is a professional birth companion that supports the family emotionally and physically. Trained Doulas know the ins and outs of hospital policies and procedures and can provide the family with information for them to make informed decisions. 

4) Father/ Birth Companion needs to protect mom's space

Birthing naturally in a hospital takes a lot of effort and preparation. The hospital is a huge system which has many policies and procedures in place to ensure things flow smoothly from a medical, legal as well as business aspect. The woman birthing without any intervention in the hospital is an EXCEPTION to the rule, not the norm. So it takes a lot of effort and preparation on her part. On birthing day, the father or Birth Companion needs to be vigilant about protecting mom's privacy and space. This certainly can be done - however,  it takes assertiveness, firmness and a little bit of ingenuity :)

When I first heard of HypnoBirthing, it was during my first pregnancy and someone mentioned it in an online Islamic forum I was in. She said it was haram (not allowed in Islam). I was a little curious, but I didn't explore further as I had already signed up for independent childbirth classes with Choices in Childbirth in Melbourne. When I got back to Malaysia and read up more about HypnoBirthing mostly from Soo Wai Han's website, I reflected on my birth experience and realized that indeed I was under hypnosis. I was doing my Childbirth Education course with Childbirth International at the time, so I didn't pursue HypnoBirthing any further. 

After I birthed my second child unassisted at home, Wai Han and I became close friends as we discovered we shared the same passion for childbirth. She urged me to take the practitioner course so that I could give classes. At first I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if it was allowed Islamically. However I checked with a trusted Ustaz and he said that if it helps people it is generally allowed. And so I registered myself ...Best decision I ever made! The course taught me, in many ways, things that I ALREADY KNEW, but couldn't quite put a finger on or access easily. The principles are so simple and basic, yet we tend to overlook them. Now I use HypnoBirthing techniques in my everyday life and use the principles in any situation. 

Here's a great article (albeit slightly old one) in TIME about HypnoBirthing. http://www.time.com/time/connections/article/0,9171,1101040301-593553,00.html

Wow. How long has it taken me to create a post here huh? Truth is.. I have lots of ideas and energy when it comes to birth.. but not so much when it comes to blogging. Am not a blogger by nature.. but this skill can be honed I'm hoping. Anyway, just a prelude as to what's to come - I like photos of birth. A picture speaks a thousand words right? So I think that's what I'll do.. I'll share with you some inspiring pictures/ photos/ posters which I love and that can be the focus of the post! Wish me luck on my blogging adventure!

This particular poster is awesome. Someone (a fellow birth junkie) created it and shared this on facebook, and I'm sharing it with you here :) ...Something so fundamentally simple, yet so difficult to grasp by most people today. This would make a great poster for your birthing room/ nest... I'd like to see this poster up in ObGyn's offices/ hospital labour wards!