Think back. Do you remember in high school biology class when your teacher talked about the "Fight or Flight" response in animals and in human beings? It was ( is ) a built-in physiological response to fear and danger needed for survival.
If there were a real fear of being in danger, or even a perceived fear, our bodies would automatically respond by either confronting or fighting the danger, or running, taking flight from the situation. Our bodies are designed to respond to two emotions physically: fear and anger. This was, and still is, an automatic, natural response. So, what happens in our bodies physiologically when we experience these emotions?
In times of danger, either real or imagined ( stress and anxiety ), the fight or flight response is automatically activated and hormones in the body, including adrenaline, are released into the blood stream where they circulate and communicate to organs in the body to instantly react to danger.
The hormones "shut down" nonessential organs, such as the stomach, bowel and bladder. Blood flow is increased to the heart, lungs, brain, and to muscle groups in the arms and legs so that we can react to danger by fighting it or running from it. Also, there is an increase in oxygen demand. As we breath more rapidly, we get more oxygen circulated to the brain, heart, lungs, and muscle groups to react to danger more efficiently and quickly. Sensations we may feel physically as a result is: An increased awareness of environment, pupil dilation, rapid heart rate and breathing, perspiration, temporary loss of bladder or bowel control, shaking, trembling, tension, and nausea. When either the fight or flight option is not appropiate, such as when going on that much wanted job interview, adrenaline and other related homones stay circulating in the body causing muscle groups to tense.
For our ancestors, the fight or flight response served a purpose! The release of adrenaline was useful for hunting for food or protecting family and territory. Today, however, our society is way more complex compared to our ancestors, and adrenaline release today is constant because of stresses in our lifestyles. We are always on the go. Communication with others has gotten to the point where you can be reached by cellular phone while on the toilet! Please! We are rarely in a relaxed, quiet state of being, and yet there is profound research stressing the benefits of relaxation, and the lack of it leading to illness. If we could take pills for instant relaxation, we would, but we can't. Our bodies are constanly running on high.
Now, what effect does the fight or flight response have on women anticipating the birth of their babies. It has great impact! First, there is the fear of birth and the discomfort associated with it. Remember, fear, real or imagined, can trigger the fight or flight response in our bodies. For a woman who is in labor this can have a negative effect.
The uterus is a nonessential organ relative to the fight or flight response. Therefore, blood flow will be shunted away from the uterus to the organs needed to respond swiftly. Also, the uterus is a muscle and will tighten, just like other muscles in the body, as we experience "fear". The decrease in oxygen to the uterus will also increase discomfort in that muscle. The body will be tense and ready to react. This creates a heightened awareness and increased perception of sensations (pain). The more uptight we get, the more tense, and the more tense, the more discomfort we experience.
Along with the joy of pregnancy and birth of a baby comes with it a host of hidden concerns that in themselves cause stress, and may contribute to anxieties felt throughout the pregnancy to delivery of baby, and afterwards. They are concerns about being good parents, finance, housing, daycare, health of baby and mother, pain, physical appearance, support from family members, unresolved relationships, parenting issues, other birth stories, changes in marriage, career, medical care, and partner support, just to name a few and of course depending on the couple's situation. If any of these stresses/anxieties can be resolved before the delivery the more at ease you will be, and the less adrenaline and related chemicals will be floating around to cause havoc.
Suggestions for expectant couples embracing the following ideas:
1. Recognize that going to a hospital to give birth does not mean that you are ill. Hospitals can make couples very uncomfortable by all the technology surrounding them. The words bed and illness are closely associated as is pain and illness with the word hospital! Having a baby is a natural event,so, you must shift your thinking to..the experience I am about to have is normal, therefore, I can relax, trust myself, and accept the physical sensations I will have as a healthy, progressive sign that the birth of my child is nearing. I have chosen the hospital environment to facilitate the birth of my child. Everything has been taken care of at home, I can relax now, etc.
If possible, You want to be free from as many stresses as possible so that you can concentrate on the birth experience.
Start viewing the hospital's labor bed as a tool! These labor beds are incredible! They were designed to come apart to assist the laboring woman in delivery, to help her during labor by adjusting parts of the bed to move up or down. Don't see the bed, lay down on the bed, and stay in the bed, as you would if you were really sick. You're not! Remember you are having one of the most natural, oldest, healthiest, and neccessary events to perpetuate mankind: having a baby and creating a new life....here's to the future!
2. Go to a childbirth education class! You will learn a great deal about the birthing process, ways to stay in control, relax, have a tour of the hospital to see where you will deliver, learn about and understand the use of medications if needed. Education and knowing you have a say in your care alone helps to break the fight or flight syndrome by reducing stress.
3. Most important, learn and PRACTICE methods in relaxation and breathing so that when the time comes you will be able to call on them with ease, and do this not just when you have a baby, but apply them to your life in general. These are life skills in reducing stress that can be used over and over again, and can contribute to your total well-being throughout your life.
The fight or flight response can be stopped.
Fight or Flight
(C) 1998 All Rights Reserved. A Service of U Smile Communications. CEO, Lesly Federici info@leslynotes.com
"There are homes you run from and homes you run to " Laura Cunningham
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