The birth of a child is a great event. At the same time, it is also associated with pain and stress for the woman. The previously unknown form of pain causes anxiety and this is completely normal. Almost every pregnant woman has to deal with fear of childbirth. Meanwhile, in addition to natural methods, such as special breathing exercises, there are also medical ways to limit the pain and take away the woman’s fear.
Where does the fear of childbirth come from?
Already pregnancy is a completely new and strange situation for the woman, if it is the first child. The feeling of being at the mercy plays a major role in the early days for many pregnant women and fuels the fear. In addition to the uncertainty of what will happen to one’s own body, the thought of the child’s health is naturally always present. Will my child survive the birth in good health? Will it develop normally? How can I make the birth as pleasant as possible for my child? These are all questions that many expectant mothers ask themselves throughout their pregnancy. These uncertainties lead to anxiety. In addition, there are the many stories that are known from television or told by friends and acquaintances regarding the pain. The intensity of the pain is difficult to describe in advance. So naturally develops the fear of the unknown and also the fear of not making it.
What are women afraid of during childbirth?
Women are primarily afraid of the pain during the upcoming birth. The first harbingers of labor begin to appear toward the end of pregnancy, and the woman knows that it will be much more intense during the actual birth, and this promotes fear. In addition, there are the thoughts about the well-being of the child. The seconds until the first cry are an eternity for mothers. The prior uncertainty of how the child will survive the birth and whether there will be complications also causes anxiety.
Tips for an anxiety-free birth
Still, there are a number of ways to counteract and alleviate anxiety. Women who are already being cared for by a midwife during pregnancy should talk to her about any existing fears. It is especially important for the pregnant woman to admit her fear. The birth of a child is presented as the greatest event, but fear of it is also absolutely legitimate and normal. A midwife can be a great help in overcoming the fear and the personal contact creates a pleasant and relaxing basis of trust. Detailed knowledge about the birth process prepares the pregnant woman optimally for the day and this education about the process of birth also has an anxiety-relieving effect. It is equally important that the woman has confidence in her body. The female body is created for this process and the biological prerequisites for birth are given by nature. If trust can be built up in this regard and the reliance on one’s own body is strengthened, the anxiety is reduced a bit.
- Muscle relaxation: relaxation exercises are learned and practiced in childbirth preparation classes. These hardly alleviate the pain, but help the woman to deal with them. Yoga, meditation and other relaxation exercises also have a positive effect on the process of childbirth. They help the expectant mother to relax and deal with the pain.
- Acupuncture: is another method that can be used before birth to relax the muscles. According to studies, acupuncture can even shorten the birth process.
- TENS: A so-called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS for short, is also a drug-free option for pain relief. However, in most cases, this method is only used in the early stages of childbirth.
- Antispasmodic drugs: These so-called spasmolytics are used when it becomes apparent early in the birth that the cervix is too spasmodic. These drugs, for example Buscopan, are administered either in the form of a suppository or as an injection. This allows the smooth muscles to relax.
- PDA: One of the most effective forms is epidural anesthesia, or PDA for short. This involves injecting a local anesthetic into the back, near the spinal canal. After that, the body is numb from the point down.Through a catheter that is placed during the injection, the agent can also be re-injected if necessary. The woman subsequently no longer feels pain, but can experience the birth with full consciousness and actively participate.
- Hypnosis: In addition, there is also the form of hypnobirthing. Here, the woman can be put into a kind of hypnosis. This method is intended to take away fears and better deal with the pain.
When anxiety takes over – psychological help.
Fears often have an irrational background. If all the methods listed above do not help and the fear of childbirth is still huge, sometimes there is an anxiety disorder. In this case, a professional psychological consultation usually helps. This is usually the last chance to take away the pregnant woman’s fear of childbirth by analyzing the fears objectively and thereby alleviating them if necessary.
The most natural thing in the world
Giving birth is without question one of the most beautiful events in life. Nevertheless, the process is associated with great pain for the woman and fear of it is absolutely legitimate. With preparatory talks, the right relaxation exercises and trust in your own body, this fear can be brought under control.
