Our lives are full of transitions - starting elementary school, graduations, becoming independent, first careers, getting married and, of course, becoming parents.
Pregnancy and birth are a big part of the transition into becoming parents, and one that should not be overlooked.
Transitions are intense. They are often a mix of excitement for something new, apprehension of the unknown, and anticipation for something great.
Often, it can feel a little uncomfortable to sit in transition, because we are so eager to get to the other side.
But this state itself is a powerful teacher and how we cope with transitions can lead to insight about ourselves and how we use our strengths and face our challenges.
When it comes to pregnancy and birth, there are so many transitions to speak of - the transition into becoming a parent for the first time or the parent of a newly transformed family with an additional child, the transition of being an individual to being with your child 100% of the time during pregnancy, and then nearly so after the birth. And there is the transition phase of birth that many women experience near the end of the labor process.
Here, your compass strengths and challenges will provide insight into how you handle transitions, some people struggle with them in many ways and manifestations, for instances, I have worked with many women who experience physical symptoms during every seasonal change, many people experience difficulties transitioning from wake to sleep or vice versa, or both.
Some compass directions are challenged by transitions more than others, but overall those who work on understanding the movements of their compass, those who understand how to read the environment and learn how to live within the natural environment and natural transitions that occur all around and within us, they will adapt to transitions with much more ease.
Even more importantly, those who understand the purpose and nature of transitions, they can recognize the feeling it presents with so that they can identify the transition and then move with it instead of fighting it.
When it comes to the transition stage of birth, you may have read birth stories or been in forums where women were recalling their experiences with transition. Some women are very aware of this phase, some women didn't notice it or they noticed it, but they didn't know what it was and only recognize it in hindsight.
What I have noticed over the years of working with pregnant women is that those who are aware of transitions and have prepared to use the full capacity of their senses and awareness, what we call the Natural Birth Compass in our birth program, these are the women who use the stage of transition to step deep into themselves and out of the environment to such a deep level that they experience a transition of their whole being. When they come out on the other side, they are ready for the next phase, they are ready to meet their baby and be the strong mother they found inside themselves.
When you miss the transition stage, you miss a great opportunity for learning about yourself and growing into the next stage. Transitions are a time when we should be exploring ourselves and what we need, what we want, who we want to become after the transition. Like the chrysalis becoming the butterfly, the time of gestation reaches an end and you must do the work to emerge as the new being you will become.
When the chrysalis breaks free of the cocoon, a whole new world awaits, a world free of restraints and full of color, sound and smells. For you, as you transition into the final stage of birth, where you will meet your baby, your world will open into a million new sensations, feelings and joys that come with the end of labor and the beginning of a new family.
Learn more about natural transitions and cycles in the free guide Three Sacred Cycles You Need to Know for a More Confident and Intuitive Homebirth, get your copy by clicking here!
