May 10, 2010 3
Apply the Knowledge
Here is a common quote, “Knowledge is power”, right? If you’ve heard this you may have also heard – “Applying the knowledge you learn is more powerful”
I agree with the second one and let me tell you a story about preparing for birth.
There’s a woman who is also a Holistic physician. She’s well versed in complementary medicine and aware of the power of inducing the relaxation response in pain management.
In preparing for her baby’s birth, she took a class that focused on meditation for childbirth. She liked it, thought the method would work for her even knowing that she had to practice the skills to make it more effective during labor.
She had her baby and a friend of hers asked how it went and this mother replied, “I tried the meditation and it didn’t work for me and I got an epidural instead”.
Now, when I heard this I was somewhat surprised because of this woman’s background in hypnosis, acupuncture, etc. Why didn’t the meditation work for her? And it’s fine she got the epidural …
BUT, I know the difference in applying the knowledge you learn verses knowing the knowledge and doing nothing with it. This is why most couples that go to a childbirth class forget everything they learn – they don’t believe it or take the information seriously, or practice what they learn.
I think she didn’t believe meditation works because it sounded like she didn’t try it, or practice to the point where it may have worked. I know, I wasn’t there. But childbirth is similar to athletics: You have to “train” your mind and body for success. You can’t run a 5 mile race and not do the preparation for it. If you don’t, you’ll give up in the 2 or 3rd mile, or drop out!
Childbirth preparation takes building a “birth mindset” to apply and use what you learn in managing labor discomfort. When you do, you’ll have a better experience.
Lesly
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