Top 5 Birth Myths – Episode 3

Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoyed this video.

For more information about birth myths read my Birth Myths article here.

Myth #1… You’re pregnant, now you can eat whatever you want without worrying about it

Eating whatever you want while pregnant is one of the most common birth myths.

When I was pregnant it seemed like every other woman I met wanted to shove a fried Snickers bar or some other junk food down my throat, telling me, “Oh you don’t have to worry about it now honey, your pregnant!”

I assume they were referring to my not having to worry about getting fat…

But getting fat was the least of my worries.

My body was working harder than it ever had before. I was growing another human being inside of me, and it was up to me to make sure I was giving my baby the best nutrition so that she would grow healthy and strong enough to journey through birth and to emerge with good health, awareness, strength and vitality.

Remember, when you are pregnant the health of your child is in your hands. This is not the time to indulge all of your cravings and start eating recklessly.

Pregnancy is a time to prepare your body and your baby for a healthy birth, and part of that is maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

Myth #2… Giving birth is just like you’ve seen in the movies

For many woman, our first impressions of giving birth are formed by watching woman in movies and TV have their babies, which show childbirth to be dramatic and painful. This is one of the scariest birth myths.

If birth were anything like how it is shown the movies, that would mean your contractions will begin and you will suddenly turn into a crazy person, yelling at the top of your lungs and cursing the fact that God made you a woman! It will be excruciatingly painful and you will be lucky to make it out alive…

Luckily natural childbirth is not like that.

Remember, Hollywood is in the business of making things appear dramatic and their portrayal of giving birth is no different.

Go watch some videos of you real women giving birth to their baby’s naturally. You will see that they look nothing like the women on TV. They aren’t yelling or screaming, there’s nobody rushing around, it’s all very calm and magical. They are just very beautifully and peacefully birthing their babies.

Giving birth was not like in the movies. It’s nothing to be afraid of. Giving birth is something that is natural, beautiful and empowering.

I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity to experience something so amazing!

Myth #3… Giving birth is horribly painful

That birth is naturally painful is another one of the big birth myths.

During my birth, there was definitely a point where I could have interpreted the birthing sensations as pain. But I knew that wouldn’t do me or my baby any good, so I made a choice to interpret the sensations in a purposeful way.  I expanded my mind beyond the fear of pain and it opened birth up to me in a brand new way.

I saw it for what it truly was. These sensations were not there to bring harm to my body. They were a magnificent and powerful energy that was working through me to bring my baby into life!

With that realization my contractions suddenly became very pleasurable, and I felt myself actually enjoying their intensity.

Birth is not a walk in the park. It is very intense and powerful. It requires your full attention to remain in a calm peaceful and relaxed state for your baby. The actual sensations feel very similar to strong period cramps, not exactly pleasant, but very doable.

If you keep telling yourself that you are in a lot of pain, you will be.

But, many woman giving natural childbirth report having no pain, and have even described their birth as “orgasmic”

Myth #4… The hospital is the best place to have a baby

Despite what the mainstream media and medical establishment might have you believe, giving birth is not normally a medical emergency. That is one of the biggest birth myths.

Most women don’t need to be rushed to the hospital and surrounded by doctors and medical equipment to get our babies born.  Hospitals are hectic, high stress places designed for sick people and emergencies. Not a place for a normal healthy woman to be having her baby.

Midwives have known for thousands of years that a Momma gives birth easiest when she is in a calm, safe, supportive, and loving environment where she can feel relaxed and remain centered and peaceful.

They also know that every birth is as unique and beautiful as the sunrise.

When a Momma has a natural uninterrupted birth she can instinctively tune in to her body’s primordial rhythms and follows it’s lead, allowing her body to beautifully bring her baby into her arms at its own pace and in its own perfect way.

Myth #5… You are different in some way, so you can’t give birth naturally

The idea that there is something wrong with you, which will prevent you from having a normal birth is another birth myth.

We are fond of claiming that our hips are to narrow, our cervixes won’t open properly, we’re too small, too big, or not stretchy enough…

But for most normal, healthy women that is not true.

Most of us just need to learn to have trust and confidence in our bodies. Woman who give birth naturally have just as good a success rate as woman who have medical births.

Medical interventions are not necessary for most woman, because woman’s bodies are naturally designed to give birth.

The fact is – it’s not we who birth our babies. Our bodies do most of the work. When your baby is ready to be born your body will naturally become very soft, flexible and stretchy. Your uterus will begin contracting all on its own, your hips will adjust, opening up your pelvis and your cervix will thin out and open, until your baby has enough space to slide out into the world.

Your job is to relax enough to give your body permission to do its magic without tensing up and getting in the way.

Don’t be fooled by birth myths…

Now that you know these birth myths are just that, I hope you feel better about considering a healthy, natural childbirth for you and your baby.