On the couch with Mandy…
I’M TERRIFIED OF GIVING BIRTH
Dto be a mum on’t get me wrong, I’ve always wanted husband wants me and now that I’m in my late 30s, my of birth just to get my skates on. But the concept both told me such horror terrifies me. My mother and sister best of times – but it’s stories and I’m squeamish at the my friend went into actually become a major fear. When at my house, so I labour a few years ago, she was actually soon as I dropped her had to take her to hospital, but as going through such off,I threw up at the thought of her can start a family of my pain. How can I get over this, so I thought of it, but my own? I know no one really likes the fear is taking over my life. Jenny, Leeds MANDY SAYS: which seems to be what There’s fear, and there’s the fear of fear,
The first step is you have and is often more difficulttoovercome. negative thinking – through putting what I refer to as ‘the debt’ – the with low pain tolerance, a reality check. Women, including those of techniques medicines give birth again and again, with the help choice. Some people use and experience that give you a degree of medication and some opt for breathing techniques and hypnosis, some you decide to do, it’s a caesarean as a method of delivery. Whatever, this is the next step. important to prepare for that process, and not just for birth Breathing techniques are immensely powerful,
I suggest you join a yoga class but also for managing anxious feelings. to learn how to emotionally as soon as possible, which will help you that you begin to connect support yourself through your breath so get pregnant, you should meaningfully with your body. If you do too, as it will help you continue to do yoga throughout that pregnancy engage with the experience. to prepare mind and body to focus and of the pain of childbirth It’s also worth considering that your fear related to becoming a parent might be a distraction from other fears
Talk with your husband about that might also warrant some attention. you become anxious or wanting to start a family. Notice if and when displacing those anxieties on nervous, and become aware you might be to your fear of the pain. but you say that is what Of course, you don’t have to have children, fear compromise that you have always wanted, so don’t let your fear with your husband, freedom of choice. Commit to facing your reality checking and and working through it by preparing yourself, start a family belongs to you staying in the moment. The decision to
Take back both, not your fear, and can be a great joy. control, one small step at a time, and reclaim your choice. Mandyx