Painless Childbirth

Labor is just that…work. Yes, be prepared for hard work. I am sure you have been dreaming about having a painless childbirth. In fact you might have searched the web and ended here because you wanted to find out about painless childbirth. Is it really possible? YES. I experienced a painless childbirth. My lovely daughter came into this world painlessly, without any kind of painkiller, naturally and at home with the help of a midwife. Is this possible for anyone? Yes. In my practice I have had good results. Many of my moms have experienced a painless, blissful childbirth. But it does take work: not only during labor, but before it.

I have written a book of daily actions and suggestions aimed at helping you prepare for this, but until it's published know this: you already know everything there is to know about experiencing a painless childbirth, all you have to do is set your intentions and focus on them daily.

Part of the pain I had experienced in my first birth was largely due to fear. I feared the pressure would never end, I feared I was not going to be able to stand it, and I feared my body wouldn’t cooperate. In the commotion and excitement of things no one had reminded me that this was a natural process, no one had whispered in my ear, “Embrace this a minute at a time.” Once I had given birth to my son (naturally and at home without the help of any painkillers) I was determined to find a way to experience a painless birth the next time, focusing only on the joy.

For my second birth, things were going to be different! I began a regimen of meditation. I visualized the birth, step by step and was determined to communicate with my body and tell it to follow my will.

It was December 3rd 1984. I had a wonderful day, eating my favorite Italian antipasto and nesting in preparation for the birth. My Mom had come from Italy, and was very worried about me having the baby at home. After all, she had both my brother and I at the hospital, and had had terrible and painful experiences. I realized I had to let go of her fears, her memories that were embedded in my consciousness. I didn’t allow her worry to enter my space. If any negative thought arose I'd offer it to the Divine Mother, to take it away.

I went to bed and slept till midnight; suddenly I woke up and felt wetness between my legs. I turned and whispered in my husband’s ear, “It’s time, get ready.” The contractions began promptly and followed a specific rhythm. While B. called the midwife I got up and sat on my knees in front of the heater (it was winter and I was a bit cold). I began to chant AAAAAHHHHHHHHH. At each contraction I would fill up my lungs and allow the sound to come from deep within. I envisioned each breath enveloping my girl with loving arms of fresh air. The sound of my voice relaxed me. I began turning inward in deep meditation. The waves were coming stronger and stronger. I was anticipating them and riding them with excitement and joy.

Nina (my midwife) told my husband to call her back when the contractions were five minutes apart. I let him handle all the logistics; I was determined to be in my special world: rhythm, relaxation and ritual. I asked my mother to prepare a bath for me. Even though it is not advisable once your water breaks to take a bath, my midwife felt confident I knew what I needed. My husband washed the tub thoroughly, and I soaked in the warm water.
Shortly afterwards, Nina arrived. She came to the bathroom and smiled at me. Her confidence raised mine. AHHHHHH transported me into a new wondrous world. I imagined my uterus as an extension of my arms hugging my baby girl, gently helping her slide down the canal.
I announced I was ready to push and went to my bed. Nina asked permission to check my dilation and she carefully and ever so gently checked my status with a flash light. “You have three centimeters to go,” she whispered, respecting the sacred space I had entered. I asked for everyone to leave my bedroom and went into the fetal position. I closed my eyes and began to visualize my cervix and firmly asked it to open one centimeter with each contraction. Transition set in. I was riding the waves every minute for more than a minute. When the next wave arrived, strong and powerful, I’d sound…AHHHHH open up… At each restful moment I would visualize imaginary hands opening up my cervix. AHHHHHH one more centimeter, I told my cervix, let’s do it…… AHHHHH…

Three contractions later, I called Nina and said “I am ready.” She asked permission to check again and with a smile on my face I said, “Go ahead, but as soon as you are finished I am pushing!” “Yes, you are ten centimeters, completely effaced and your baby is ready to come.”
I remained in a fetal position, my body limp. I wanted the room to be as dark as possible, so more candles were added around where Nina was working. Mom came over to my side and held my hand. She was crying. I looked up at her and said “Don’t worry, mom, everything will be all right!” I closed my eyes again and simply opened my legs and pushed. I did not hold my breath and push; instead, I changed breathing pattern and allowed my body to take over.
Mother Nature was going to do the pushing for me. All I had to do was let go and let my ancient knowledge do its bidding. I pushed three times and Natascia’s head popped out. I rested while Nina took the cord that had wrapped itself around her neck. I reached and touched my daughter’s head. One more push and my baby was out. My husband caught our lovely girl as she briskly slipped out of my vagina. He placed her on my chest and mom and I sang her song. “Natascia amore mio, con te tutto il mondo piu’ giocondo sembrera’!”

I had asked not to have my daughter “cleaned up” for I believe the vernix (a thin layer of mucous that covers newborns) was created as the ultimate moisturizer. I massaged it into her skin delineating for her the confines between her body and the outside world. “Here are your hands my little one, these are your feet…” She sweetly laid there for a while, then began her journey for my breast. She latched on immediately and I continued to sing her song while massaging her.

When she finished feeding, Nina took her from me and handed her to B. to cuddle. I pushed twice more and the placenta came out. The birth was over, joyfully and painlessly. Our son (2 years old) had woken up just in time. He walked into the bedroom rubbing his eyes with his little fists. “Here is your baby sister,” his father showed him. His eyes became big for a moment; he said, “Sista.” He came over kissed me ever so sweetly and went right back to bed.

I got up, took a shower while Mom and B. cleaned and prepared my bed. B. and I lay down with our new bundle of joy. She fed all night long while we rested.
Natascia was born at 3:45 am on December 4th 1984 in my home in Marina Del Rey in the same bedroom I still sleep in. If I can do it, so can you!

Today’s Affirmation: Today I will prepare myself for the labor ahead, knowing I will be in the expert hands of Mother Nature!