I come back to this blog after a while. So I wanted to find something invigorating to write about. Well, I went running to clear my mind, and also to jump start my body, which incidentally had gained some weight.
And, on that first day’s run (after almost an year of finding excuses, real and imaginary, for not running) I started finding all sorts of parallels to birth! So, here goes ….
It is not all about starting, it is about finishing….
So, I went with my midwife friend Erinn for this particular run. We walked a bit, then stretched, and then decided we would aim for 20 minutes of running. I started out at a pace that I thought my body
would adjust to because I have been running for years, right? WRONG! I ran at that pace for just a minute or so, and started feeling winded, achy and everything else. So, I had to adjust my pace down … way down …it is not about starting, it is about finishing. Just like in early labor, you may be excited, anxious to get labor going, but if you tire yourself out, you may not have the energy reserves to complete it. So pace yourself and rest whenever you can.
It is all about feeling supported …..
I can most definitely say that had Erinn not been running with me that day, I would have given up. Companionship, someone cheering you on, and working alongside you definitely gives you the mental energy to go that extra mile and get to the finish line. So too in labor – you would definitely benefit from bringing someone you love, and/or a doula along with you for support. They will be there with you when the going gets tough and remind you of your body’s strength and wisdom. Numerous studies have shown that bringing people who will support and encourage you during labor reduces rates of C-sections, instrument deliveries and even epidurals. So, go ahead, plan your support team who will be with you when you birth your baby.
And boy, does breathing work??? …
Huffing and puffing while I ran those first excruciating minutes, I realized that I was not breathing well. It took me a few more minutes to settle down into a nice breathing pattern. This, along with a slower pace helped me finish the run that day. What did breathing do? It helped pump in more oxygen to my tired muscles. It also took my mind off the “running”. Similarly, in labor, breathing really works. Whether it is deep breathing or patterned breathing, it helps supply good oxygen to the uterus, which is the strongest muscle in your body. This helps in not letting the muscle cramp up more, thus decreasing the pain-tension cycle. Also, it works wonders to take your mind off the “contractions”, once you breathe through it. Remember it is one less that you have to go thorugh to birth your baby.
It may get worse before it gets better ….
I finally finished the run that day. By day 2 I was feeling sore throughout. Had I not run the next day, the soreness would have persisted, and I probably would have not run again at all. Having picked up the courage to run through the soreness, I discovered that I was actually able to run slightly longer than day 1, and even felt less sore afterwards. Similarly, in labor, you may actually get to the point where you want to give up – but physical annd emotional support form your care-providers as well as your loved ones, plus your own inner strength usually gets you past that hump, and soon you will start feeling better and give birth to your baby.
To end the tale of my run – I am happy to report that I am running consistently now for more that 45 minutes every day. The great thing that works about our body is that it works! You challenge it, and it responds in most cases. So it is during labor – just when you feel that you have exhausted the last vestiges of strength, you find more energy to labor on for just that bit longer, in order to birth your baby. What is important is that you remain focused, confident and believe in yourself – and even more important, surround yourself with people who respect your strength and believe in you.
Happy Birthing!
Vijaya
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Divakar