Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2017 | Page 9

woman herself. Some women will have this trust because of the culture they grew up in, but for those of us from the more typical western birth culture, I usually find when birth is mentioned, there is generally a response character- ized by fear. A quote I found a few years ago and use as a discussion point in my classes is “Women have lost trust in their body’s ability to give birth without drama, drugs and damage”. So how do we regain this trust, this core birth strength? There are many ways but one thing we know is that the importance of good preparation for birth, both psychological and physical, is often un- derestimated. I would also want to stress the value of psychological preparation. Professional athletes are well-acquaint- ed with the power of positive affirma- tions and visualization to improve per- formance. Research shows that women who actively prepare for birth as a normal, natural event, have lower rates of intervention. Women who have a fear of birth, or who are ambivalent, have higher rates of intervention and caesar- ean birth. So clearly taking a childbirth education class that helps couples PHOTO BY THERES A MILL ETT understand the mechanics of how a baby negotiates the pelvis and what helps and hinders this process is important. But what is also clear is that, just going to a class isn’t enough, you have got to take ownership of your birth by taking time to become strong and aware both physically and emo- tionally. You would never plan to do a 5K running race or half marathon with- out preparing so think of giving birth in the same way as you would any endurance endeavour……..with a little practice every day, visualiza- tions, affirmations, reading a positive birth story, doing some birth focused exer- cise all of these accumulate PHOTO BY SACHA BLACKBURNE and strengthen your belief. Also attending exercise classes with an you are stronger than you know. As an emphasis on pre-natal preparation that educator, I always have to try and strike help you strengthen your belief that a balance between being real about the birth is not something to be feared but challenges of giving birth and not mak- something to be embraced and that ing women more fearful. Giving birth may well be the hardest thing you ever do, even with medical pain relief and the great support but what I can prom- ise you is that building your core birth strength over the pregnancy will make all the difference to your labour and birth experience however it unfolds. Fiona Dill is a registered nurse by profession, she has a Diploma in Childbirth Education (National Childbirth Trust) in 2003 and started Birth Matters Workshops (childbirth classes) as well as VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Caesarean) Workshops. She is a trained Dou- la (Childbirth International) and has been present at over 250 births at King Edward Memorial Hospital. She also teaches Parent- ing Classes designed by the Family Caring Trust (Ireland). Fiona can be contacted at [email protected]. www.mybermudaparent.com 7