Scared to give birth

Ana Paula Markel, Doula, shares advice for women who are scared of giving birth on how to overcome your fears
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Scared to give birth

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It is very normal for women to feel scared to give birth. It is a topic that we don't discuss anymore, as we used to. Menstruation, menopause, and childbirth is not in every women's conversation as it used to be. When it is your turn, you have very little resources to gather information and support. What you have, in most of the TV shows, is very horrible. No wonder woman are very scared to give birth. Now, this idea that everybody else seems calm, is also false. Everybody else is pretending to be calm. We also live in this culture, "How are you?" "Great," when things are not so great. We have this heroic idea that we have to be fine all of the time and that pregnancy is ten months of complete bliss, when it is not. There are fears and anxieties. You are going to have a child. It is probably one of the biggest transitions that a woman will ever go through, and, yes, it needs talking. She needs talking and answering her questions with no personal agendas. She needs information, without judgement.

Ana Paula Markel, Doula, shares advice for women who are scared of giving birth on how to overcome your fears

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Ana Paula Markel

Doula

Ana Paula Markel is the mother of four children. Having experienced two cesarean births, a medicated vaginal birth and a natural birth (in that order,) Ana Paula discovered a passionate interest in the childbirth process. Her goal is to assist mothers and families to explore the many options available in childbirth and to take responsibility for their choices.

Ana Paula has been teaching a very fun and active childbirth preparation workshop in Los Angeles for the past nine years and has supported hundreds of families during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Ana is also a doula trainer for DONA International and has been mentoring new doulas for the past six years. Ana Paula is honored to serve as Director of International Development for DONA International and to be on the advisory board for PAM (Pregnancy Awareness month.) In 2008 Ana founded BINI Birth, a center in Los Angeles dedicated to the childbirth education field, doula training and green pregnancy retail. BINI offers a variety of classes for pregnant couples and new parents. BINI offers yoga, Hypnobirthing, breastfeeding classes and support groups for new mothers and Ana’s very popular workshops. BINI Birth is also the premiere doula referral service in Los Angeles. Ana Paula is passionate about connecting families of all backgrounds with their ideal birth support.

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Transcription: 
It is very normal for women to feel scared to give birth. It is a topic that we don't discuss anymore, as we used to. Menstruation, menopause, and childbirth is not in every women's conversation as it used to be. When it is your turn, you have very little resources to gather information and support. What you have, in most of the TV shows, is very horrible. No wonder woman are very scared to give birth. Now, this idea that everybody else seems calm, is also false. Everybody else is pretending to be calm. We also live in this culture, "How are you?" "Great," when things are not so great. We have this heroic idea that we have to be fine all of the time and that pregnancy is ten months of complete bliss, when it is not. There are fears and anxieties. You are going to have a child. It is probably one of the biggest transitions that a woman will ever go through, and, yes, it needs talking. She needs talking and answering her questions with no personal agendas. She needs information, without judgement.