• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Peggy O'Mara

family • health • justice • culture

  • About
  • Family
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Children
    • Tweens and Teens
    • Education
    • Reviews
  • Birth
    • Pregnancy and Birth
    • Breastfeeding
    • Postpartum
    • Childbirth Education
  • Living Well
  • Making Change
  • Food/DIY
    • Food/DIY
    • Holidays
  • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Store
    • Toolbox for Normal Birth
    • Your Pregnancy: Week by Week
    • Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
  • Log in

Talk to Children about Childbirth

November 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

Many of the couples I’ve taught childbirth classes to—especially those expecting their first child—experienced high levels of anxiety and fear when talking about the specifics of childbirth. Some of them were misinformed, some of them were afraid, all of them wanted the best childbirth experience possible, of course!

The journey to ease their discomfort around childbirth was long and confusing at times, but totally worth it. Most of them had fantastic childbirth experiences, although some didn’t. Those who did, claimed that for them, education was the key. Knowing the ABCs of childbirth helped them to develop the confidence and strength needed to go through such an intense experience, while still being able to state their preferences and, when needed, to fight for them.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION FOR EXPECTANT PARENTS SHOULD START EARLY IN PREGNANCY RATHER THAN LATER, BECAUSE THE JOURNEY MATTERS

Expectant parents might benefit greatly from knowing what childbirth is about before giving birth. Going blind into an experience like childbirth could be frightening, exhausting and even disappointing. When we don’t know, we fear; when we fear, we make the wrong decisions.

Studying, learning, researching, asking questions ahead of time is the key to be prepared, because when you are prepared, you feel confident. The truth is, we are never prepared for the unknown, but we can always be a step ahead of ignorance, and that is already a huge win.

What else can be done to help new families to start their childbirth journey with more confidence and less fear? How can we change the view of childbirth as that horrible painful thing that happens to women, to a beautiful journey that trusts women’s abilities to give birth?

In my opinion, this work starts at home, opening up the conversation about childbirth with our own children, from an early age.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION SHOULD START WAY BEFORE PREGNANCY, AND SHOULD BEGIN AT HOME!

Talk to your child about childbirth in a positive way from an early age and your child will most likely grow up believing that childbirth is not only normal, but beautiful and empowering. Think about how you want your child to experience childbirth when his/her time arrives; the best time to start that trusting journey is now.

Tell your child positive and empowering childbirth stories, even if you didn’t have one. Education wins over fear. Imagine the power of learning and talking about women’s ability to give birth with a young mind! Use that opportunity to change the world of childbirth.

Childbirth is a normal, wonderful event in life and not an illness, treat it as such. Giving birth is the closest you’ll get to being human; don’t fear it, embrace it!


Adriana Guerra is a Birth Doula and a mother of 3, who shares her passion for birth by accompanying parents through the process of giving birth and by creating these MamAmor dolls. MamAmor’s story started in 2007 when Adriana was pregnant with her third child.  In one of her birth doula classes, she came across a handmade birthing doll, and became so fascinated with it that she created her own! In 2008, after many changes to the original pattern and many hours deciding on a name, MamAmor Dolls was officially born!

Related

Filed Under: Featured, Pregnancy and Birth

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Newsletter Sign Up

Get Your FREE Postpartum Checklist when you sign up for my biweekly newsletter.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Email

Top Posts & Pages

Birth in the Squatting Position
Birth in the Squatting Position
Homeopathy In Labor
The Very First Birth Film
What is Natural Breastfeeding?
Ayurvedic Postpartum
Birthing and Nursing Toys
Helpful Resources for New Dads
Acupressure for Colic
DIY Laundry Detergent
ECOlunchbox: Earth-friendly Lunchware and Bento Boxes

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Footer

About

peggyomara.com continues the journalistic tradition of thought leader, Peggy O’Mara, who has been curating exceptional editorial content for over 30 years. Articles on the site are carefully chosen to bring you provocative ideas, excellent writing, and moving photography, all to help you make better decisions.

Archives

Search

Categories

Babies and Toddlers Breastfeeding Childbirth Education Children Culture Education Family Featured Food/DIY Holidays Home and Garden In The News Living Well Making Change Movies Natural Family Poems Postpartum Pregnancy and Birth Recipes Reviews Tweens and Teens Uncategorized Videos

Recent

  • Halloween Candy Dilemma: Sugar
  • How to Cloth Diaper with Organic Cloth Diapers
  • How to Feng Shui Your Home
  • Families Need Direct Payments Now
  • Find Help with Breastfeeding
  • Philosophies of How Children Learn
  • Primer on Ayurveda for Healthy Digestion
  • Get Help for Postpartum Depression
  • The Lives Of Student Parents

Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in