Why am I afraid of childbirth and how to overcome it

As we well know, fear is something natural in human beings and otherwise we could not experience it. we would have enough interest to survive when we are faced with any danger that threatens U.S. There are many types of fearsAmong all these types is the fear that many of us have and it is the fear of the unknown.

In the case of childbirth, when you are going to be a mother for the first time, this can generate great fear in some women due to the high level of uncertainty about what that she is going to wait for him at the time of delivery, which she is obviously totally unaware of and can only have as a reference what other mothers have told her about it. This is why in this Psychology-Online article: Why am I afraid of childbirth and how to overcome itWe are going to explain in detail what are the reasons why this happens and how it can be overcome.

Index

1. Why am I afraid of childbirth? Principal reasons
2. I am pregnant and I am afraid: what can I do?
3. How to overcome the fear of childbirth?

Experiencing too much fear and anxiety before childbirth can undoubtedly have consequences for the woman who suffers, so it is necessary to do something to reduce it as much as possible. Here are some of the reasons why you may be afraid of childbirth.

Fear of the unknown

It is normal to some extent fear the unknown, so there is no reason to be alarmed if the fear you feel is not disproportionate. The problem comes when that fear is affecting you too emotionally and even physically.

Experiences of other women

Hearing too much information about other women's experiences during childbirth and paying more attention especially to those who experienced it as an extremely painful and uncomfortable situation can undoubtedly be causing you this great fear.

Fear of death and pain

This fear is also produced by all that information that we have collected throughout our lives, either by having seen them in movies, having listened to anecdotes from our mother and other women, having seen news or known cases where the woman dies in the childbirth, etc. It is also important to mention that surely women who feel this type of fear generally all or most of their lives have had a irrational and exaggerated fear of suffering and death.

As we saw previously, it is even normal to feel a little fear since we are facing something totally unknown or at least that we have never experienced in person. Anyway, whether your fear is exaggerated or not, there are always things you should know and what it is. important to do for when it is time to give birth, go with the least fear possible and feel more emotionally and physically ready.

Tips for new mothers

Before I begin to give you some tips to overcome the fear of childbirth, it is important that you know that a study has been found that the factor The main factor that most influences labor pains is the fear that the woman has during labor pain, so it is totally worth following these tips to reduce it:

• Get informed about the birthing process and pregnancy. It is essential that you consult with your GP about any questions you may have about pregnancy and childbirth. Many times we take many things for granted and we can even have some false ideas about this process, so it is necessary that you stay highly informed.
• Preparation classes for childbirth. Currently we have more tools to be better prepared when giving birth, so you can attend some childbirth preparation courses that will teach you to understand what this natural physiological process consists of and they will provide you with tools so that you know how you can breathe and relax in the face of the anxiety caused by childbirth in a effective.
• Talk to a midwife. Midwives have great experience having cared for many women at the time of giving birth, so something you can do is approach one of them and tell them about how you feel, your ideas, fears, etc. and ask him to give you some advice.
• Relaxation techniques. It is important that you learn some relaxation techniques that will undoubtedly help you feel calmer, reduce your anxiety levels and to better manage your negative emotions during pregnancy and even in childbirth.

Finally, if you want to experience childbirth with ease, we recommend these reflections to overcome the fear of childbirth:

• Each woman and each childbirth are different. It is essential that you take this into account and that not necessarily because another woman has suffered too much during childbirth, it will also be your case. Take into account that also during pregnancy, some carry it better than others, that even depends on the body of each person so do not become obsessed with the experiences of others. Also try to stop focusing all your attention on difficult experiences about childbirth and even stop listening to them.
• Seek emotional support. It is important that you seek support mainly from your partner, who obviously plays a fundamental role in pregnancy. You can also use the services of a "doula" (a woman who is in charge of accompanying and providing emotional help to women who are about to give birth). Family support It is a key point that can help you in your fear of childbirth.
• Talk to your gynecologist about your epidural. Ask your gynecologist about the epidural, which is an anesthesia that is given when you have a dilation of approximately 4 centimeters and the effect begins to be felt after 20 minutes. Ask him to tell you everything about how it works and the benefits that this can bring you if you decide to wear it.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Why am I afraid of childbirth and how to overcome it, we recommend that you enter our category of Personal growth and self-help.

• Salabert, E. S. (2016, December 17). Tips to overcome the fear of childbirth. Retrieved January 4, 2019, from https://www.webconsultas.com/embarazo/el-parto/consejos-para-superar-el-miedo-al-parto
• Fear of childbirth, how to overcome it. (2018, October 4). Retrieved January 4, 2019, from https://www.crecerfeliz.es/parto-maternidad/preparacion-al-parto/g80118/miedo-al-parto-superarlo/
• Garcia, I. G. (2009, June 15). Fear of childbirth Retrieved January 4, 2019, from https://www.todopapas.com/embarazo/salud-embarazo/clases-de-preparacion-al-parto-1371