Buzz
In the same year, I ran a marathon and gave birth, and I realized the mental similarities between the two. Initially, it doesn’t hurt too much, but you must conserve your energy. At a certain point, your body feels like it can’t go on, but you must keep pushing. The end is unpredictable, and that’s the truth of both experiences.
Nothing can truly prepare you for either experience. Childbirth classes attempt to, but they don’t suit everyone. Personally, I’m not interested in specific breathing techniques when I’m in pain. Imagining a peaceful place doesn’t help. I don’t want massages either—just leave me alone.
That’s why I appreciated Serena Solomon’s piece in The New York Times on applying sports psychology methods to childbirth. (This applies to all types of labor, not just ‘natural’ births. Even if you're certain you’ll opt for an epidural, you still need to endure a few hours of contractions at home and in transit first.) Some strategies that sports psychologists shared with her included:
Challenge limiting beliefs. Solomon had a fear of a C-section, so she gathered positive stories from people who had experienced them. This helped her realize that many of her fears were unwarranted, and that others had successfully gone through the process.
Anticipate difficult moments and create a visualization for each. For athletes, this might be the most challenging part of a race. For Solomon, it was the ride to the hospital.
Have a mental reset action, a simple method that connects your mind and body. Solomon used her breathing and hand positioning to help reset herself.
During labor, I developed a similar technique: I would curl my toes tightly with every contraction. While the rest of my body remained relaxed, I directed all the tension and discomfort into my toes.
If you’ve dealt with pain before, whether from sports or other experiences, you likely have some strategies for managing it. Understand what’s ahead, visualize the toughest moments, and respond in whatever way feels right for your body and mind.
