PreNatal Snug Support for Mums to be

Pregnant? You need to know this…

What comes to mind when you think about giving birth? A comedy scene from TV? A red-faced woman profusely sweating whilst squeezing her partner’s hand so hard it might fall off? A 1960s midwife rushing around with a pile of steaming hot towels? A screaming woman lying flat on her back in a hospital bed? Or, do you envision a woman calmly responding to the needs of her body?

Chances are you didn’t imagine that last one, and that’s because we’ve been led to believe that giving birth is excruciating, long and painful.

The truth is that feeling calm and relaxed during labour can make for a far better birth. Some women actually enjoy it. Is it possible for you to feel this way when a tiny person is travelling through your body into the world? Yes, and here’s why.

Your unborn baby is snuggled up in your uterus (womb), which is a muscular organ.

During labour effective breathing gives the uterus a good blood supply so it can work at its optimum; without it we experience pain, tension and fear.

Fear creates a cocktail of stress hormones which in turn impact on mind and body creating more tension and pain. Being calm breaks that cycle.

5 reasons to feel calm and relaxed during labour:

• Your contractions will be more effective

• You will feel less pain and more comfort

• You have less risk of tearing

• You will feel more in control and able to make informed decisions about the birth

• Your baby will be more calm

Sophia Hanson is a prenatal yoga and hypnobirthing teacher based in the Highlands. She runs an online sanctuary, sophiahanson. com/services, so you can prepare for the best birth possible.