Embracing the Flow State: A secret to a peaceful and powerful labor and birth
It is said that when women give birth they leave their bodies and travel to the stars to retrieve the souls of their babies.
I have seen this many times. It is such a powerful and magical event to observe a mother who is fully in tune with her body, following her intuition and deeply focused on her goal.
She is there, but she’s not. It’s almost as if she’s in another world. Because she is
Have you heard of the flow state?
The idea of the flow state was first introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. He observed the phenomenon that occurs when individuals become totally immersed in an activity or skill. During a flow state, there is increased focus and performance where outside distractions become quiet and the individual becomes one with the task at hand. A place where time doesn’t exist.
When individuals are engaged in an activity that matches their abilities, interests and offers clear goals, they are more likely to experience the state of flow. While this term is typically reserved for high performance athletes, professional artists or musicians, we also observe this phenomenon in labor and birth.
When the conditions are right and you are prepared, you can access this deeper state of being. Finding your birth flow will help you tap into your intuition and become perfectly aligned to the challenge and surrender of birth. Imagine laboring with a heightened focus, effortless action, and a profound sense of fulfillment. Fear becomes quiet and your purpose becomes clear.
Sounds great, but how do I get there?
It is possible for you to fully embrace the flow state of labor, but it takes some commitment. With some preparation, you can increase your awareness and put some skills in place to help you find your focus.
Interested in having access to a trusted and wise resource? Consider virtual doula support for more peace and confidence.
Fun fact: The flow state is also sometimes called the “genius state”
Here’s a few tips to unlock your birth genius
Invest in your education
Having a foundation and a reference for what is going on at the physiological level is a great first step. Knowledge empowers. The more you understand about your body, the more you can trust that birth is a normal, healthy process and not a medical emergency (for most people). The more you know can help you be prepared ahead of time to make any kind of decisions and protect your peace during labor. Making unexpected choices, without all the information is a quick way to become anxious and distracted.
Having a foundation and a reference for what is going on at the physiological level is a great first step. Knowledge empowers. The more you understand about your body, the more you can trust that birth is a normal, healthy process and not a medical emergency (for most people). The more you know can help you be prepared ahead of time to make any kind of decisions and protect your peace during labor. Making unexpected choices, without all the information is a quick way to become anxious and distracted.
Harness your hormones
During labor, the chemical changes within the body, can contribute to a heightened state of awareness and focus. In this altered state of consciousness, the birthing person can more easily access their inner strength, connect with their body, and manage each contraction with a sense of purpose.
Release your fears
Fear is the opposite of flow. It does not allow you to access this deeper level of focus and surrender yourself to the process. Do some soul searching and start identifying and challenging your beliefs about birth. We were not raised in a vacuum, and it’s totally normal and expected to have some anxieties surrounding birth. We have all heard and seen many horror stories surrounding birth (thank you Hollywood) but we hear fewer encouraging examples of positive birth.
Remove all the obstacles
Learn what not to do and what distractions can potentially get in the way of you getting in the zone in labor. If you are giving birth in a hospital setting, this is an extra challenge for you. The hospital, while may be great for emergencies, is also a very disruptive and uncomfortable environment. Think about how you can you plan to create a peaceful environment and be clear about your wishes and preferences. A calming birth environment is more supportive of an intuitive birth experience.
Support and Connection
Having a healthy circle of support around you is so helpful. Get your partner on board and educate your friends and family about birth. Make sure your partner is learning and practicing along with you so they can be an active member of the team. Equip them with some techniques and tools to comfort you and help you get back on track if you face some challenging moments. Consider hiring a doula or work with a virtual coach to add another level to your support team.
In summary, birth can be more than just birth. Birth can be transformative and magical. The act of labor and birth is more that just a physical event, it is a profound invitation for you to go deep inside yourself, tap into your instincts and access your greatest source of strength. With some extra support, knowledge and skills in place you can find your birth flow and experience greater focus, trust and enjoyment during your labor and birth.
Unlock your birth genius, embrace the flow state, and celebrate the incredible power within you! Are you pregnant in the Raleigh-Durham Area and need some help along the way? Consider investing in a birth planning session with me. I will share some practical tools and insights to help you release your fears and prepare your mind and body for your best birth.
