I am ecstatic, I just found out I'm pregnant! We are so excited about bringing a new little life into the world and becoming parents for the first time. We are enjoying seeing the faces of those close to us as we share our happy news and concealing our secret from those we're not ready to tell. Boy or Girl? Baby Names, Prams, Cots and Nursery Colours are soon consuming my thoughts, but deep down other emotions linger. During the time I'm alone, I start to consider 'that' day. The day of the birth. I am scared. What do I expect. No-one I've spoken to has ever explained what birth will be like - not really. Most Mums smile encouragingly saying "It'll be worth it" or "You'll be fine" Good intentions, but hardly reassuring. It doesn't stop the incessant worry about the pain of childbirth. Everyone knows how
excruciating it is - don't they? Doesn't it burn? Will I be cut? Still the birth looms. What about surgical procedure: Induction? Forceps? Ventouse? Hospital Smells and Screams, the Bleep of the Monitors, the Stirrups! Will my baby be taken away after birth? I will be out of control, reliant of strangers. Doesn't birth last for hours and hours? Did you see that birth documentary last Wednesday - the near death emergency? Back to the pain. The midwife told me about the drugs that can help, but they do have side effects... Perhaps I'll have a epidural - have you seen that needle though! The days and weeks roll by, and 'that' date is imminent. I need to make some decisions sooner or later, but meanwhile the fear builds. If you look under my mask of happiness, you will see I am terrified. What should be a cherished and beautiful experience weighs so heavily. I fear the day of the birth of my baby.
Many women fear childbirth ranging from apprehensive to phobic. This prose illustrates some of the most common thoughts that women have as birth approaches. What would it mean to this woman to have a positive and confident mindset? How much happier would she feel? What would be the effects on her baby? A gentle and fear free approach to birth is entirely possible...
