Bringing presence to the intrapartum experience

Abstract

Being present during childbirth, having the wisdom to anchor oneself to the here and now through the breath and the body, may have profound spiritual, psychological and physiological implications. The knowledge and skills of meditation and relaxation are currently overlooked by prevailing medical model of care underpinning many maternity services. Bringing such wisdom, which is now supported by a growing body of evidence, into childbirth preparation and practices has the potential to improve childbirth experiences for all those involved. This chapter examines the influence that introducing meditation and relaxation during and around childbirth may have on the way that new life emerges in the world. The authors draw on the existing literature and reflect on the experience of an ongoing systematic effort of embedding the knowledge and skills of meditation and relaxation within the context of NHS maternity services. By describing the processes of development, service delivery and sharing research and evaluation, including feedback from thousands of women, their birth partners, and hundreds of health care professionals, the chapter brings new insights to this important area of childbirth practice.