- Facing birth fear head on
A little bit of trepidation or uncertainty is normal when such a life change is approaching but if you’re really starting to worry and dread is creeping in, consider finding a professional who can help you with your fears. Hypnotherapists are great at dealing with specific fears such as blood or needle phobia whereas hypnobirthing teachers are trained to help you prepare for your birth more generally. Midwives will help answer specific medical questions and doulas can be a great source of emotional support for the whole family. - Politely decline what you’re not happy with
I was so stubborn about this. I just couldn’t bear it. Not only would I refuse all birth stories as soon as a well-meaning person started to talk (whether they seemed good or bad, I just couldn’t take the risk), I also didn’t want to hear about or see anything medical – dentists visits, operations, general health stories, hospital programmes on TV. I just had to protect my space. - Stay close to your partner
I now look back on my pregnancy as a magical time for us as a couple. We had so many beautiful conversations about how our little girl might look, what we should call her, how she might grow up. At the time though, on the days that were difficult, I did feel a gap between us that I wasn’t sure how to fill. My body was working so hard to grow our little human and there were so many things that I felt like only I could understand. I know now that this was probably my mega protective mum hormones taking hold – I think these same hormones were what was making me feel like only I could get it right. Know that this might happen and make an effort to share. Your partner will most likely love to be included and take some of the strain for you. - Meditations and visualisations
This was one of the most amazing parts of being pregnant and now that I already have a child, it likely won’t happen again. Whenever I had some time alone, I would sit on the floor, facing our garden, and breathe – directing energy to my baby, sending positive energy her way. Some days I would wait for her kicks, others I would imagine a golden glow getting stronger each time I breathed in. There are loads of pregnancy visualisations that can accompany meditation – Headspace is one of my favourites (I’m just a fan! This isn’t a paid endorsement). I also carried with me a vision of how I wanted my birth to go: My partner and I, at home, with the door to the garden open, laughing and dancing, ready to gently welcome our baby into the world.
Keeping your anxiety in check during pregnancy isn’t easy. It’s so worth making the effort though. A calm and confident mum will birth and raise an equally calm and content baby. The 9 months will be over before you know it. Hang on in there mama.
Hannah is a KG hypnobirthing teacher, mama, writer and feminist. She’s passionate about women’s and children’s health, and runs hmhypnobirthing.co.uk, helping parents to be in south London plan for empowering, confident births. She can also be found on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
