State of Mind and Our Birth

I read the most amazing birth story at The Gift of Giving Life blog.  (I love her blog btw)   The mom had a normal, uncomfortable birth with her first.  When she was pregnant with her second she went to a retreat where she had time to reflect on her fears of life and birth and really work through them.  She got to a place where she decided to welcome any experience.

and then I meditated on each of them by actually opening up to the idea that I would be willing to experience those things, if it did in fact become “my turn” to experience them.

She shared this thought, which I REALLY LOVE!

The Buddists say that pain is inevitable – but suffering is a painful feeling about pain. Pain is simply a sensation, but suffering comes from thinking that what is, shouldn’t be.

She came to this realization:

In my attempt to avoid the fear and pain and discomfort that comes with mortality, I couldn’t help but see how I drew it nearer to me and caused more pain. In this new awareness I found myself saying, “Yes, I AM willing. I Am. So be it.” My heart burst wide open and all those fears just slipped away as I said YES to all of life.

So what does this have to do with birth?

It was in this state of mind- this intense willingness to feel what it feels like to be alive – to intently receive EVERYTHING that life has to offer me – that I gave birth to our second son. I was totally, completely willing to experience birth fully, unlike I had ever done before.

Did letting go of her fear make a difference?

You have to go read the birth story to find out!