Community› The Bump Message Boards› Natural Birth
Natural Birth
New Discussion

CNN Article: Fearing childbirth may prolong labor

AmyRIAmyRI member
in Natural Birth

https://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/27/fearing-childbirth-may-prolong-labor/?hpt=hp_c2

Dr. Stuart Fischbein chuckled when he read the title of the press release: "Women with a fear of childbirth endure a longer labor."

The release was promoting a study published this week in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Researchers at Akershus University Hospital in Norway found women who feared giving birth were in labor for 1 hour and 32 minutes longer, on average, than those who had no fear.

"I'm glad there's now evidence to say that," Fischbein said, "but it's obvious."

For those of us who aren't OB/GYNs, it may seem more like a cruel joke. Women who are afraid of the pain and the possible medical complications associated with giving birth have to suffer through it longer?

Study author Dr. Samantha Salvesen Adams initially thought her team would find the prolonged labor could be explained by other factors - women who feared birth the most were first time mothers, who are known to have longer labors anyway, or obstetric interventions like epidurals. But when those factors were taken into consideration, the difference in time between the fearless and the fearful was still 47 minutes.

"Mental stress is associated with physiological arousal and release of stress hormones," Adams wrote in an e-mail. "During labour, high levels of stress hormones may weaken uterine [contractions]."

In other words, the adrenaline released when a body is stressed stops the oxytocin hormone production that makes a woman's uterus contract, slowing labor. It's a natural, biological response to fear, Fischbein said.

Fischbein, who's also a co-author of "Fearless Pregnancy," said women today are afraid of giving birth because they're surrounded by horror stories.

"We have a society where sensationalism sells. They're pounded with information [about] things that can go wrong with childbirth. Of course you develop fears."

To understand Fischbein's lack of surprise at the study results, you have to take a look at the way other mammals give birth.  For example, when cats, dogs or horses are in labor, they find dark places to have their offspring in peace.  They eat when they're hungry, pace if they're in pain and run if something comes near them.

Compare that to a hospital setting, where a woman is given ice chips, strapped to machines while laying in bed and surrounded by people who are constantly interrupting. Though the machines and medical personnel are sometimes necessary, Fischbein says the stress comes from being in an unfamiliar environment.

He recommends women find a doctor or midwife who will take the time to talk through their fears and dispense honest advice about the birthing process.

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
#3 Due April 2016
Report Reply to Post

Re: CNN Article: Fearing childbirth may prolong labor

  • JcrabJcrab
    And this is partly why I am so glad I decided on a HBAC - being comfortable and safe in my own environment really helped. I can even say it was work and intense but not exactly painful. Having the perfect support team and MW really helped too.
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • sschwegesschwege member
    Good article, thanks for posting!  This is a big part of Hypnobirthing, releasing the fear.  It's sad that most of what women hear are these negative horror stories, particularly first time moms.  
    image




    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Third Birthday tickers My Ovulation Chart Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • drpaynedrpayne member
    Makes sense.  My midwife told me yesterday that the two hospital transfers they had last month were for 1) a mom who was not sure if she even wanted the baby and 2) a single mom who got pregnant after a one-night-stand.  I'm sure the psychological part of that is huge.  (I'm not generalizing... I was a transfer, also, but it was due to a large, posterior baby... the last place I wanted to go was the hospital).
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Pregnancy Ticker
    Report Reply
  • jennadoll87jennadoll87 member

    imagesschwege:
    Good article, thanks for posting!  This is a big part of Hypnobirthing, releasing the fear.  It's sad that most of what women hear are these negative horror stories, particularly first time moms.  

    Yes so true, its sad that no one seems to share their beautiful birth stories but EVERYONE wants to share the gory details of their terrible birth. No wonder women in our culture today fear birth!

    EDITEDEVERLYBEAUTYSHOT565923_751707052852_1602485043_n_zps74c305a1 photo EDITEDEVERLYBEAUTYSHOT565923_751707052852_1602485043_n_zps74c305a1-1_zps6c64b4ff.jpg Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"