Mindful Awareness Meditation for Childbirth
In 2010, I attended a Calm Birth Teacher Training with Robert Newman. Calm Birth is vastly different than any other childbirth preparation program such as Hypnobirthing or Hypnobabies.
Focusing on complete oxygenation, this method uses mind-body techniques that have proven to be helpful to birthing women, their partners, and their babies.
With Calm Birth, the woman plays an active role in birth preparation and learns to recognize and release fears that arise.
As she prepares, she heals not only herself but her baby as well. She gains an increased pain tolerance while using deep breathing during the practices.
By releasing these thoughts and fears, she frees her mind and emotions which allows her to labor with courage and strength.
She births undisturbed.
She births with grace.
The program consists of two main techniques. The first is called the Practice of Opening which is a reclining progressive neuromuscular release. Womb Breathing is a sitting meditation where the mother (and her partner as well) learn full oxygenation and gain increased energy for greater function during both pregnancy and birth. The mother practices recognizing her fears and learns to release them to prepare for her birthing time.
This program is geared to help all women birth, no matter the kind of birth they choose or end up having. By sitting into calm, women experience elevated births whether they are natural, pain medication supported, or even surgical.
If meditation sounds difficult or scary, toss your worry aside! The practices are simple, effective, elegant, and guided, based on ancient Tibetan meditation. Birthing in calm doesn’t mean you are inactive, still or passive. Instead, birthing in calm means birthing from a place of inner wisdom and strength, in full function and health.
Please take a look at the three documents below in order to understand the program and to make the most of its use during your pregnancy and, later, your birth.
Calm Birth Forward - the Forward of Robert’s book Childbirth Meditation, by David B. Chamberlain, PhD.
The Benefits of Childbirth Meditation
The MP3 Tracks
The Practice of Opening (Progressive Relaxation)
Womb Breathing (for Pregnancy and Childbirth)