Advice for Mother at the Time of Birth

[luckydog]

From Spiritual Midwifery:

Don't complain, it makes things worse. If you usually complain, practice not doing it during pregnancy. It will build character.

I read this a couple days ago, and I keep thinking about it. I'm generally a good sport, but I could certainly complain a LOT less.

(Especially if a more graceful/gracious demeanor will facilitate a somewhat faster labor, seeing as both of my last labors were 17+ hours and involved lots of complaining!)

[ahdoula]

I focused on this my whole pregnancy. With my first two I thought I had the right to b**ch and moan about everything and they were a long hard 9 months! But I really decided to have an positive attitude this time, despite the usually difficulties. I am starting to loose it here at the end but overall I think my lack of whining made the pregnacy much eaiser-for everyone!

[supermuma]

I kept this in mind with both of my labor/births...luckily I found that book with my first pregnancy! I think it helped tremendously!!!!!

--And it really does work....they are right. Complaining just makes it worse. It REALLY worked well with my son, I think! Kept me focused on what I had to do to get him out..not on how hard it was.

[elvishlucky]

Thanks for sharing this! I'm going to work at not complaining for the next few weeks

[AmBam]

I think you posted that "just for me"!

[luckydog]

AmBam

Well, I have personally not had the nerve to say anything about this to my DH. He would totally hold me to it!

[becoming]

It's so true! I complained the whole way through my first birth, then the second time I really focused on being as positive as possible, and my second birth was a much better experience.

[AuntG]

Awww, then how will everyone know how miserable I am?????????

[IamPink]

[ahdoula]

I complain to a good freind of mine and in my journal. Other than that I try to keep my mouth shut- but having the outlets make all the differance!

[roadfamily6now]

i definitly agree!!!! i dont complain much and have a very easy, pleasant pregnancies!

[luckydog]

I'm over halfway through this book now. I can't believe I'm on my fourth pregnancy and this is the first time I've read it!

I wish I would have sooner. I'm actually finding it quite transformative when it comes to some mental roadblocks. I thought I had my healing birth when I had my third baby at home, in the water, but I see I still have issues to work through.

What I am learning particularly is how I have so much responsibility for setting the tone and mood for my birth. What I can do to ease the experience rather than simply rely on superhuman support from my spouse and other birth attendants. I took the huge step two births ago to lose my reliance on technology, but I still didn't completely get it.

So this book is really helping me ajust my attitude and expectations tremendously. I didn't expect to like it so much. I really picked it up at just the perfect time. Inspiring.

[marziechar]

40+ weekers!!

*bump*

I don't know about all you, but I really needed to re-visit this post about now....