This was a draft that I had typed up during pregnancy and apparently never published!
Recently, a good family friend asked how I was feeling, in terms of emotions. He asked if I felt scared or overwhelmed, maybe because his wife had exhibited those feelings when she was pregnant many years ago.
I responded that I feel excited! I didn’t feel scared. I have been taking an active part in this pregnancy and childbirth process. I have been preparing to understand what pregnancy is and means, what changes my body and mind are experiencing, the work of my uterus and my placenta, relaxation techniques and comfortable positions during pregnancy and childbirth, and generally, how to adapt and accept all these changes.
I’ve learned that there’s a difference between pain and suffering. Labor is painful, that is inevitable. But suffering? Suffering is not inevitable, suffering is a mental state. Natural labor has a rhythm, and if I am willing to ride the waves of contractions, labor will be much less suffering (but likely just as painful 😉
I want and am excited to have an “amazing” experience!
“Decode your body messages, modify your lifestyle, and if you are worried about labor, find out how you can help yourself.” -Kitzinger Complete book of childbirth and pregnancy
A House Rises 