I’ve no doubt that you’ve all heard me in class banging on about anchoring in labour so I thought I’d expand a little further for you.
Ok, so leaping around like an acrobat and singing your favourite song will invariably shift your mood and make you feel positive but you’ll probably need a slightly more low key approach for when you’re in labour!
The answer is anchoring, a fast simple and easy technique that rapidly taps into your brains automatic system for linking feelings to experience. You will have experienced anchoring thousands of times before, for example a certain perfume or music that reminds you of a particular event or time in your life. Your mind creates a link – an anchor – between a powerful feeling and the stimulus i.e. smell and music.
In class I vaporise lavender oil which not only helps to create a calm and relaxed environment but is also great for relieving stress and tension. Aromas can have a very powerful effect upon us, can influence our emotional state and uplift our mind, body and spirit.
If you’re having trouble getting to sleep at night try a few drops of Lavender oil in your bath water, a light mist on your pillow as you go to bed can help a good night’s sleep. If you’re considering having a water birth, think about putting a few drops into the water or vaporising lavender in the room that you plan to labour in. Lavender oil is also super handy to have around after your baby has arrived too. Lavender is a natural antiseptic and a few drops in your bath is fantastic for helping to keep any vaginal grazing and tears clean and assist the healing process.
During class the music that I play is also wired into your subconscious and your mind will continue to link it to the calm and positivity from each class. Music is a great way to help you focus and to keep calm. You can anchor it even further by listening to it when you have a nap or meditate. Music can be a welcome distraction when in labour and can be used in all birthing environments, at home, birth centre, hospital and even operating theatre to help you recreate those feelings of calmness that you’ve anchored in class.
If you would like a copy of the music that I play in class please let me know, the cd is available to purchase at £8.