How Hypnobirthing Helped My "Positive" Birth Experience During a Pandemic

Prana Mama Alexis Concetta Montalvo shares her experience of giving birth during a pandemic.

Birth can be empowering even in the middle of a crisis. We are amazing beings. We are resilient and we are strong. Sometimes, we don't meet our strength until we need it most. Our mind is powerful. It can build us up just as easily as it can break us down.

Through HypnoBirthing, I was able to train my mind to remain calm far beyond what I thought I could handle. That is just the thing. We don't know what we can withstand until we are faced with no other choice. Sure, I could've broken down the moment my husband was separated from me. Or when I was left waiting by myself with my surges intensifying before my labor was even confirmed. Or at any given moment during my birth. Even after, when they took my brand new baby away from me because my results were still "pending".

But I did not want any of that to be my story. I worked too hard to get through this moment. I trained for it like a race. I literally trained my mind for birth. I practiced in a few short months how to calm myself enough to release Oxytocin so that my body would feel safe enough to relax and birth my baby on my own. I knew that fear would cause tension in my body and that tension would affect my baby. You are in control of your story. You can choose to be the victim or choose to be empowered in the process. You can understand what you can't control, and take a hold of what you can. You are able, you are important and you will get through this. This is one important moment that will be told to your child for the rest of their lives. You can control the story you tell.

Read more of Alexis' story at https://www.alexisconcettamontalvo.com/post/how-hypnobirthing-helped-my-positive-birth-experience-during-a-pandemic. 

**I am not a medical or mental health professional. I am merely sharing my personal experience**