If the thought of giving birth fills you with fear and anxiety, the concept of enjoying the process may seem completely out of reach. For some, transitioning from a place of fear and apprehension to one of happiness and excitement is not a quick journey but please know that it is possible.

The first this I want you to know is:

It’s ok to be scared.

Don't be too hard on yourself if you feel daunted by childbirth. While hypnobirthing emphasises the benefits of being fear-free, I know getting there can be a significant challenge for many. Remember that your feelings can evolve over time, and it is possible to feel differently.

How do I get there?

1. Seek Support and Debrief:

If a previous birth experience is influencing how you feel about your upcoming labour, it might help to find someone you trust to talk to about what happened. A listening ear, a hug, and a cup of tea could be a good place to start in feeling supported.

Additionally, consider booking a birth debrief session with your midwife or obstetrician. This can help you process your past experience and understand why things unfolded the way they did to give you a clearer perspective.

2. Harness neuroplasticity to change your perception of birth

Your brain may have categorized birth as a scary experience, which is entirely understandable given the portrayal of birth in modern media. Even when you're not consciously seeking information about birth, your brain is constantly collecting data. Negative birth stories, dramatic depictions in the media, and fear-inducing narratives can all affect your perception of birth.

The good news is that our brains are adaptable, and the information we feed into them shapes our belief systems. You have the ability to reshape your brain's perception. It requires effort, but it's achievable. By giving your brain lots of new information about birth, your instinctive mindset can alter and you can move towards feeling better about birth.

How can I change my

mindset?

Birth Stories

Reading positive birth stories can be a potent tool in shifting your mindset. As mentioned our brains love stories - Websites like tellmeagoodbirthstory offer a wide range of real birth stories in various forms, providing a more balanced view of childbirth.

Watch some Real-Life Births:

Watching positive real birth videos can be enlightening. They often differ significantly from what we see on TV, helping to reframe your understanding of birth.

However, please don’t see this as your instruction to go off and watch one born every minute (please don’t!) as part of my course we will watch a number of real and beautiful births to support you with this.

Utilise Birth Affirmations:

Birth affirmations act as reminders to your brain that birth can be safe and positive. You can find a free downloadable set of my birth affirmations here.

Listen to Hypnobirth Audios:

As part of my hypnobirthing course, you will be given 5 access audio recordings. Practicing these audios as you fall asleep can help cultivate a calmer, more positive mindset for your birth.

Managing Negative Information:

Avoiding negative information about birth can be challenging, as our brains tend to cling to scary stories as a way to keep us safe in the future. Politely redirect conversations about negative birth experiences, suggesting a post-birth gathering to share stories over a bottle of wine.

Find a Birth Role Model:

If you don't personally know anyone with a positive birth experience, reach out to me and I will put you in contact with someone. Speaking with someone in real life that has had a positive experience can be immensely reassuring and empowering.

Addressing Past Trauma in your birth notes

If you've experienced birth trauma in the past, ensure it's documented in your current birth notes. This will help healthcare providers understand your history and provide appropriate care. This will also mean you don’t have to keep going over this experience with midwives and obstetricians.

Please remember

It's never too late to transform your birth mindset. By taking these steps, you can shift from fear to neutrality, and ultimately, towards a better and empowered birth experience.

If you would like more support - click here to book in a free 30 minute introduction session