My name is Amaia, and I am a writer currently living in Mexico. I’m 40 years old and originally Spanish, although I have lived abroad since I was a teenager. Freedom, peace, and wisdom are what I value the most in life. I have dedicated my life to exploring different paths to self-knowledge, diving particularly into Yoga. We all know the world of spirituality and alternative healing can be full of charlatans and disappointing gurus. I have seen my fair share. But the most basic human experiences work as an invaluable litmus test. When it comes to such a raw experience as delivering a baby, there is no pretending. And I want to share here how breathwork became such a godsend during childbirth.
I had never considered having a natural birth. However, when I got pregnant, someone recommended that I read Ina May Gaskin’s «Spiritual Midwifery». In this book, many mamas narrated their natural childbirth stories in a hippie community. It was fascinating to me that C-sections were extremely rare among these women. And none of them were begging for an epidural, which was definitely part of my plan. I understood how fear plays a pivotal role in the way we give birth.
This book taught me that childbirth is very similar to other basic bodily functions. Ultimately, your uterus and cervix are sphincters, just like your rectum. Think about it. What is it like to use a public restroom where you can hear someone next door? Quite different from being relaxed at home, isn’t it? This is a primal response. Your body closes up, and it allows you to run away in case of immediate danger. Like any other mammal threatened by a predator.
By the time I got pregnant, I already had a well-established Yoga practice. I was never the circus artist type, but my breathing was firm. Inhaling and exhaling through the nose. Deeply, slowly, prolonging the breathing out. I had become used to this ocean-like sound that acted as an anchor to my attention. Even during the most challenging poses, feeling like I wouldn’t be able to make it. This tool translated incredibly well to childbirth.
Giving birth to my son was the most intense experience I could have ever imagined. I noticed that if I panicked, I’d start labeling that intensity as pain. It can be scary to feel your body taken over by this rush of energy. It was an exercise in surrender, but this intense sensation was not like a terror switch that you turn on and off. Mother nature is way wiser than that. It was all progressive.
I like comparing labor to standing next to a railway. Imagine you notice a train approaching in the horizon. As the train gets closer and the intensity increases, this force of nature heads toward you relentlessly. It becomes almost unbearable until the sensation reaches a peak, then starts subsiding until it completely disappears. A few more minutes to rest until you can feel the next train coming.
I realized I only needed to make it to that peak, and I’d be good. I just needed my full attention on breathwork, even as childbirth got increasingly more intense. For once, I was 100% immersed in a true meditation experience. I didn’t need a clock, or anybody to tell me how far I’d come. I simply counted my breaths. If this rush of energy lasted for eight breaths and I made it to four, I’d be ok.
Warm showers were also incredibly helpful. And more importantly, I had the freedom to move however I wanted. Lying down on my back was excruciating. I’m not sure how things would have turned out, had I been forced to stay in that position. After five hours, I gave birth to my son, who came to the world as a surprise breech baby. I felt like a true superhero.
This experience made such an impact on me that I later took several prenatal Yoga trainings and learned as much as possible about female wellness. I have managed to help women who were so scared they hesitated to get pregnant at all. This is undoubtedly the most satisfying work I have ever done.
Nobody can know how your birth is going to turn out exactly, even if you think you planned it to perfection. However, knowledge is power. If you’re expecting, learn as much as you can about the natural process of childbirth, including breathwork. Fill your mind with positive birth stories. We’ve had enough of the negative ones. And finally, cultivate your breathing as if it was your best friend. It will always be there for you no matter what. Not only while giving birth, but also helping you handle the most challenging situations, for the rest of your life.
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