A Labour of Love

If there is one main theme that runs through giving birth to a baby, it is love.

While a baby is in the mother’s womb, it is a time when the she can begin to bond. When a mother talks to her baby whilst pregnant, she is feeling loving emotions that produce a response in her body that her baby can sense. Her baby will start to associate the happy voices he hears with the positive responses from his mother. And thus begins the bonding process.

It is not uncommon for a baby that is born into love to hold steady eye contact, immediately after the birth, with both his mother and father. The baby is studying the faces to whom those well-known voices belong and thus continues the bonding process, which began in the womb.

Babies who are carried and birthed in a loving and gentle atmosphere are often easy to spot. They are generally calm, contented babies that are very attentive from the moment they are born and become confident and adept toddlers.

Since a baby was meant to be conceived in love, it stands to reason that a mother who is lovingly supported during pregnancy and the birth of her baby will:

·         feel more at ease emotionally

·         be able to cope better with changes during her pregnancy

·         be able to cope better with discomfort during the birth

·         be more confident in birthing the baby without unnecessary intervention

·         feel more confident in caring for the newborn

One of the best things you can do for your baby is to ensure you have loving care and support. This may be through your partner, through your friends and family, and through your doula. Your support people during labour should help to make you feel confident, safe and loved.

Help make the birth of your baby a "labour of love" by the choices you make before your baby arrives.

By Jen Staniforth

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