Forget anything you may have seen on TV; women lying on their backs for hours, scared and vulnerable, all fighting childbirth as if it was an evil force possessing them.
Imagine this: you are in your chosen birth space, whether it's a hospital room or your own living room, surrounded by your favourite music playing softly in the background. You follow the natural urges of your body to move with the rhythm of the beats, singing and laughing with your birth partner, sharing in the joy of the moment. You sway your hips from side to side, taking small steps on a familiar track, and then slow down as a gentle tune begins to play. Wrapped in each other's arms, you both sway gently from side to side, feeling infinite love and connection.
As another surge comes, you pause for a moment, deciding to sit on your birth ball or lean against some soft furniture to focus on your breathing and ride the wave. You find yourself still swaying, without even thinking about it, as the movement helps to ease the powerful sensations. As the surge fades, you realise that your favourite song is now playing, and you burst into laughter, continuing to dance freely as if no one is watching.
It's just you, your partner, and your baby, moving in harmony through the labour, in rhythm and in love. This is what birth can be like when you embrace the natural flow of your body and allow yourself to be fully present in the moment...
Here are 5 benefits of dancing during labour
A more comfortable experience
Movement and in particularly dancing during labour helps to boost the release of endorphins, your natural pain-relieving hormones.
Boost oxytocin naturally
Dancing in labour will help to reduce stress and anxiety, and boost oxytocin production - the hormone responsible for effective surges. Supporting the physiological process in this way can also result in a shorter, smoother and more comfortable birth experience as you're not holding any tension and the perfect cocktail of hormones is in place.
Support birth biomechanics
Dancing is a form of movement that can be both gentle and rhythmic. Whichever playlist you decide to use, movement will help to support birth biomechanics. By swaying from side to side, rotating the pelvis, taking little steps or more exaggerated ones, it will help creating space - opening up the pelvic area - making it easier for baby to descend and navigate the birth canal. This may result in shorter labour, and may increase your chances to have a natural birth if this is what you are preparing for.
Feel in control of your body
Dancing in labour can help you focus on the process, and stay grounded when things become more intense. Gentle swaying can also give you an increased sense of control over your body. Feeling in control is one of the most important factors for a positive and empowering birth experience.
Bonding with your Baby
A more relaxed birth experience and good oxytocin flow also means that you feel more present and ready to bond with baby straight after the birth.
Beyond the birth, dancing in pregnancy, and as part of your postpartum journey can really help to connect and bond with your baby. It can also help with your general sense of wellbeing.
Note
Please note that every woman's labour experience is different, and what works for one woman may not work for another. Just trust the power of your intuition and go with what feels right in the moment.
Photo credit: professional dance Gemma Marin (@gemma_marin)