RaMa Mama: Demystifying Active Labor...

As a Birth Doula, I am constantly trying to find the right words and ways to explain the birthing process to a new mother who has never had the experience before. We can watch a million videos, but labor and delivery will always turn out to be surprisingly unique and possibly different than the mind is able to perceive it to be. Active labor is one of the most intense, powerful, and transformational pieces of the labor and delivery experience. It is not just a physical process, but a mental, emotional, and spiritual journey as well. Instead of focusing on just one aspect, let's break it all down here.

Mentally, there is a major shift from early labor to active labor. This is when we are no longer laughing, talking, snacking, or walking around casually. Things get a lot more serious when this shift takes place. The analytical mind is replaced by the primitive brain, eye contact decreases, conversations become much more difficult to carry, time and space no longer feel the same, and the outer world disappears so that the inner world can focus on the present moment. The body understands that birth is more important than the other, less vital, actions, so it shuts them off.

Spiritually and energetically, there is an energetic initiation happening that allows the physical self to experience the spiritual world like a special rite of passage. The physical self becomes extremely vulnerable, feels helpless, is forced to let go and surrender, and becomes completely stripped down to the most raw and primal part of the being. Spiritually speaking, new mothers become the bridge between the seen and unseen worlds. Instead of feeling in control, there is a huge lesson that birth offers on the process of surrendering. The body becomes the spiritual teacher, and the mind and heart learn how to ride the waves of contractions that the body is providing. The more the mind and heart learn how to let go of control, the more able the mother-to-be feels to make it through each contraction. One by one, each contraction leads the body to the birth and delivery. Contractions start from a resting place, build up energy, peak at the top, start to decline, and end in a resting place once again. Nothing stays the same, it always changes, and every contraction is different than the last. The key of this phase of active labor is in staying present. One contraction at a time, each moment leads the body to the next - and so forth.

Physically, active labor is the process of creating the proper birth passageway for the baby to pass through. It is the physical "activity" that leads to the body opening for a new life to be born. This is a total and complete transformation of the cervix from zero centimeters dilated to ten centimeters dilated. Instead of the feeling of "having contractions", moms-to-be merge with the entire process and become the birth from the inside. The uterus contracts in waves of coordinated upward motions that pull the cervix around the baby's head, opening, dilating, and becoming thinner (effacing) to create space. The baby instinctually rotates through the pelvis, following a very precise set of movements that help to navigate the way through the canal. The ligaments of the body become soft because specific hormones are released to help open, relax, and soften the body for the birth. Bones in the pelvic region become mobile and participates in helping to create space. This process continues until the body is completely open and ready. There are little moments of rest in between each contraction for mommy and baby to regain strength for the next contraction. The body re-oxygenates, there is time for hydration, and most importantly - mommy gets to try and rest for whatever time she has between contractions. The sensations that the body offers serve to open and create space, so trusting this process and the sensations is key to allowing the pelvis to stretch open, the cervix to lift and get out of the way, and for the baby to dance its way down the canal.

Active labor is a complete workout - from head to toe. Stretching, expanding, moving, opening, transforming, and trusting are vital for this process to happen. Like ocean waves crashing on the beach, the woman is the Divine water vessel that allows nature to mold the landscape, transform the being, and bring a new living being to the Earth. This life came from Love and will return to Love one day, and it is our job as a birthing team to allow Love to guide every birth to the physical plane. Love does not break, it bends with flexibility and adaptability. Love allows for miracles and creates space for destiny to unfold. Before the baby can be pushed out of the body, the body has to open and create space for a new life to emerge. This process is a spiritual initiation for all involved in the birthing process. Stay present, surrender, go inward, breathe deeply and be guided by the breath, and become one with the birthing experience. Active labor is the gift that creates space for Love to expand in all ways. It is a miracle and a blessing.