Boy, do I remember how overwhelmed I was about being pregnant and yes, fearful about birthing my baby. My first thought was “How is this baby going to come out of my body!”, right? I bet you may have thought the same at one time or another.
Today, moms-to-be, perhaps even you, are more overwhelmed simply because of ALL the information available on the internet, in book stores, magazines, TV, etc. about having a baby.
Birth has become more complicated than it needs to be.
First, let me tell you two stories that changed my life, my philosophies about childbirth education, how I teach, and what I believe to be true now.
Years ago when I graduated nursing school, I was absolutely elated to begin my career as a labor and delivery nurse. I loved it because I was going to help women through their labors and see babies being born! One ay there was a laboring woman who was so scared she was crying and screaming. One of the “seasoned” nurses I worked with went into her labor room and screamed back at her “shut-up! Shut-up! Screaming is going to do nothing for you!”
Well, I was shocked and now the humiliated woman was crying hysterically. It was awful. I couldn’t believe this nurse had behaved this way to a “patient” – especially to a woman in labor. It was an “attempt” the nurse would tell me later “to get control of the situation” . I wanted to help this woman and just didn’t know how at the time.
Several months later another woman was admitted to our labor and delivery unit. This woman during her labor was breathing slowly. She looked very relaxed and peaceful. Not at all frantic like the woman I told you about previously. The lights were dim, and the atmosphere was very serene. She delivered a baby without medication. It was the most beautiful birth I had seen and been a part of in a hospital environment.
I was perplexed! How could these women behave so differently during childbirth?
Lesson #1: Compassion, respect, and genuine support makes a difference in how a laboring women responds to her experience of birth. A pregnant woman, and during labor, needs support throughout this experience and even after, at home with the baby…
Soon after I discovered I was pregnant. I of course did what you’re supposed to do – enroll in a childbirth class. I did , and it was the worst learning experience I ever had. It was a 4-hour “crash” course. I assume because I was a nurse experienced in helping others, this would be a “peice of cake” for me. I didn’t really learn anything new. After all I was a labor and delivery nurse and knew the physiology of birth. I learned nothing to really prepare me for the physical and emotional aspects of labor.
Lesson #2: Childbirth classes are VERY important in preparing for birth. The shorter the class (“crash” course, one day classes included) the less prepared you’ll be. Also, the instructor can make a HUGE difference in what you get out of the class …
Because my own childbirth class was HORRIBLE, I decided to become a childbirth educator and give women through my classes the support and education they needed to make informed choices in preparing for birth as well as building their confidence.
Lesson #3: No woman’s birth experience should ever be criticized or judged, but honored and respected. Not just from others, but for yourself as well no matter the type of birth you have, medicated or not, Cesarean or not …
My son’s 1st birthday! Yum!
Through my experience as a labor and delivery nurse and years of teaching, I have developed a philosophy that childbirth is 30% physical and 70% emotional. I know from experience that emotional stress can influence the labor process. The calmer you are, the better the quality of the birth experience.
I know it’s not easy to be calm. But I introduce relaxation methods such as meditation and hypnosis in my class. You can’t be stressed and relaxed at the same time.
The benefits of relaxation methods are many when used regularly through pregnancy and labor because they reduce stress and enhance the physiological process leading up to and including birth. They are also beneficial to baby as well because they enhance their immune system and well-being.
Lesson #4: Meditation, hypnosis, reduce “labor pain” significantly. It is also “self-care” where the greatest benefits of relaxation come from with-in to move a woman through challenges and blessings of pregnancy, birth, and transition to motherhood , and throughout her life
The most important element of preparing for childbirth is you because you are the one personally experiencing it. So learning what you can actively contribute or not, to your birth experience will make all the difference in how you experience it.
The Childbirth Classes I offer online, are “hands-on”incorporating movement, touch, breathing, relaxation, coping skills, and “mechanics” of birth that you put together like a symphony. Yet, only you can play the “music”.
I care about your worries and questions regarding your upcoming birth experience. What’s important to me is raising your awareness about how much YOU can do during labor with compassion and support.
If you decide to take a class with me, you’ll learn so much about yourself, the labor process, and how YOU can manage it while experiencing a graceful, satisfying birth of your baby 
.
You can experience a free mini class with me right now, here
and, check out the FREE online childbirth class here
Much love to you, and if you have questions, send me a message here
Lesly
Lesly Federici, RN, BA,
Certifications: National Guild of Hypnotists, Lamaze International, Calm Birth, Reiki Master
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