Mini-Retreat - Labor and Birth -

Labor and Birth are some of the most fun and trying times of a pregnancy. Some mothers find this time also the most fearful time of pregnancy.

I am kind of borrowing an idea from our Catholic Doula Program and sharing it here.

If a mother has fears of pregnancy and especially delivery of her baby - she should try  this "Letting go of fears exercise" below. 

1. Ask the mother: “What is your greatest pregnancy fears?” (or “What is your greatest fear?” if someone is not pregnant). __________________________
2. Have mother write it down on a post-it-note or something like that (small)._____________________________________________________________.
3. On the opposite side of the note, ask her to put one positive thing on it—what does she have Faith in? What can she rely on? (Catholics will rely on God helping us through labor, etc.)_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
4. Have her turn her fears into faith by using this tool above. What other Faith item may help this mother? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Rosary, Mass, Confession—examples).

         5. Once the mother has identified her fear; see if there is any way you can think of a remedy to help her: “Tour a hospital” if she has fear of hospital or particular thing that the hospital does during labor. ____________________________________________________________________________________.

OK, so this is just one way of helping a mother during her birth and labor to get her on track.

Now, let's go back to our "couple" - Lucy and Ralph - Lucy is a bit afraid of delivery. She's had some personal issues with her mother abandoning her as a baby, etc. So, she's got a lot on her shoulders as she comes to her labor and delivery. Lucy hires a doula to help her during her birth. The doula is able to get Lucy to follow the "letting go of fears" above for her delivery. This doula also does some relaxation type exercises (such as hypno-babies cds). Lucy is able to have a relaxed birth and it goes pretty well for her. They have a baby girl! 

So, let's back up a bit - what's a doula anyway? A doula is a trained labor coach to help a mother during labor, pregnancy, birth and after birth (postpartum). 

So, doulas can help a mother during labor and delivery! Yeah! 

Talking about doulas - Catholic Doula Program is having a quick giveaway on April 1st - no fooling for a postpartum book - and we are also doing a bigger Easter Giveaway - so check out that website at www.catholicdoula.com and get your entry in for this! 

OK, we hope you enjoyed our Lenten retreat this week - more next time about the Robin and more. Oh, by the way Happy Laterae Sunday - Rose week!