Birth Talk -Contractions

Lesly — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:59:43 +0000

The words we use to communicate our thoughts, feelings, and actions are important. Especially to a woman in labor.

Kipling once said, “words are the most powerful drug to mankind” and indeed they are! They can are also be a source for added anxiety.

Let’s look at the word “contraction”. This is the most commonly used word to describe a physical action of the uterine muscle when a woman is in labor. This is a hard and cold word. It creates tension. And because it is used so automatically and an accepted word, it’s use over rides any opportunity of the mother to choose her own words to describe what she is feeling physically.

A contracted muscle just means it is in a state of tightness when in use. Contraction and relaxing of muscles simply creates movement. Like running, walking, forcing a muscle to contract in your arm, as muscle builders do. The uterine muscle tightens and relaxes during the labor process to birth a baby.

Hospitals are notorious for using words that add to a laboring mother’s anxiety. “Contraction” is one of them. I Here are some better words to replace “contraction”to create a “sigh” of mental relief for you.

waves, waves of energy, tides, sensations, tightening, and ___________ (what ever you what to call it). When you give it your own label, what you feel physically is accepted more and less anxiety is attached to it.

When you’re home tell your friends and family that for fun you decided to give the “contractions” your own name when they start. You call it ____________. Okay, have a few laughs over this, but it helps.

When you’re at the hospital and you hear the word “contraction” numerous times, just know it’s an accepted term used in the medical profession to describe labor. Chuckle with understanding and continue to associate with your ______________.

It works. It’s part of the Birth Mindset

Lesly

Birth Talk -Contractions

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Birth Talk -Contractions