It is a common assumption that pregnancy takes patience. After all, we wait in anticipation for months to meet our new little bundle. Throughout those months there seem to be endless changes happening in our lives and our bodies that require us to exercise patience: the crazy mood swings, the limitations on our physical abilities, the searching for clothes that fit, and on and on. All of this patience practice is in service to what is required of us upon the birth of our baby: more patience.But what about during labor and delivery? Patience can seem an odd request during this seemingly stressful time. After all, everything happens so fast, right? Or at least it should. We get this notion from watching the depictions of labor and delivery on television or film.
Here is the standard popular culture rendition of labor and delivery;
1. water suddenly breaks in a large whoosh all over the floor of an inconvenient place - mother seems to be taken by surprise
2. hail a taxi or jump in the car - there is only a few minutes to make it to the hospital before baby arrives
3. in the hospital, intense pain insues followed by baby's birth
4. celebration, rest and relief
If this is our expectation of a birth, it is easy to see how women could become frustrated or disappointed when faced with what actually happens. The truth is that each woman experiences labor and delivery a bit differently. The pace of labor and delivery can be very fast - like in the movies. But many times it is slower and less frantic. AND it slows even more when a mother changes locations thanks to the fight or flight response.
The fight or flight response is an automatic response to a threat that is either real or perceived. The body releases stress hormones in preparation for either a fight or a flight as a response to this threat. What does this have to do with labor and delivery, you ask?
Mothers generally begin laboring at home - a place of familiarity and comfort. Often, contractions progress quite nicely at home. When contractions become closer and more intense, mothers commonly decide to transition to the hospital or birthing center. The anticipation at the hospital is tangible - mom is finally very close to meeting baby after so many months of waiting. Patience becomes a challenge at this point!
During the transition to the hospital the mother's sense of familiarity and comfort is interrupted. The body perceives this change as a threat and labor stalls as stress hormones are released in preparation for a fight or a flight. This used to be a very helpful response, meant to ensure that the mother was in a safe place for labor and delivery by stalling labor until that place was found. However, in today's culture the stalling of labor often results in impatience, frustration, anxiety, stress and the administration of pictocin or other drugs to stimulate contractions. Often, these interventions lead to further interventions.
Understanding this natural, automatic response during labor can help women cultivate patience with themselves and their partner during such an exciting event. Patience can help reduce stress in the body and created a more peaceful sense of a hospital environment. This sens
e of peace will lead to an increased sense of comfort and safety, allowing labor to progress. There are several things laboring mothers can do to increase the level of comfort and safety perceived in the hospital environment.
Dim the lights. Turn the heat up in the room (I had my hospital room at about 80 degrees!). Soak in a hot bath to relax tense muscles (this can also quickly increase dilation of the cervix!). Choose a position in which YOU are comfortable for labor rather than a position that is convenient for your doctor. Practice breathing techniques. Turn on some music.
And be patient.
