A time that is meant to be beautiful and treasured is often a time of deep fears for many moms to be. It’s not only moms who have experienced loss that have fears during pregnancy. It happens to all of us.
In a conversation with my midwife (Ruwaida Moola) she said to me that sometimes the more we know the more we fear, and it really was true for me (and many other moms I’m sure). The more clinical information you are aware of the more you stop listening to your body and your intuition. Realizing this was quite scary for me as I feared I was becoming what I have been trying to get moms out of for many many years.
I LOVE the clinical it’s very very interesting, but I had to remind myself that I have a deep inner wisdom and “mom-intuition” which brought me through 2 pregnancies, births and what is still carrying me through raising my boys.
So how do we release unnecessary fear? Here are some tips:
Breathe - This gift that God gave us is something we often disregard and it can bring us back out of intense fear. If you feel overwhelmed with fear sit down and breathe in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 5. Do this until you feel calmer and more centered to think clearly.
Increase your self awareness - yoga practice is not only about the body element, it allows us to be more aware of what we are experiencing in our bodies with more clarity. When you have clarity you actually assist your healthcare provider understand better what exactly is happening and they can assist you faster.
Go to antenatal classes to educate yourself and your partner about pregnancy, birth AND postpartum. This can also help you to rationalize your fears as sometimes we scared of the unknown or even scared of what we don’t know enough about. Also get someone who you use as a sounding board and support to listen to when you are talking fear based and to be able to reassure you based on evidence based information (this can be your doula or midwife)
Start a journalling practice to get what’s in your mind out and on paper.
Prayer and meditation - This is probably the most important one on this list because knowing that you are held, loved and protected by something bigger than yourself is always an anchor that will hold you down in times where you feel all is lost. Pray the way you know how, even if a start is just in your heart.
Pregnancy, birth and parenting is a life transforming journey that should be held so sacred. Never underestimate the expansion that happens within you as you carry and welcome your little one into the world.
You are doing great mama!
All my love,
Tara
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