When you hear the word “contraction” how does your body feel?  Does it open up like a flower blossoming new life or does it contract and shut down in defense?  What words come to mind when you hear the word “contraction”?  When I ask women these questions they will often say things like they feel their body shutting down and the words “pain”  and “fear” come to mind.   The actual word contraction means to “make small” and we all know there is nothing small about birth and motherhood.

I encourage the pregnant mommas at Nalu to use words that support the birth they would like to have.  For example, instead of contraction what if we used the words “sensation” or “surge”?  Words that invite your power and ability to birth your baby. A contraction is feeling the power of your muscles squeezing together to help push the baby out. The contraction is really your power in action. It is the power surge of birth and life.

Recently, I had the incredible honor to care for a doula when she was starting to have surges. I shared with her what I knew and she probably already knew, but as a gentle reminder that the language of birth is important and contractions can also be called surges or rushes. She told me that she calls them “waves”. Her mother taught her growing up near the beach that you never turn your back on a wave. You always face it. It was such a powerful share and touched me deeply. We then practiced facing the waves of her body by breathing with the waves, allowing her to be carried by them and the power of birth.

With great love and care, we begin to examine the words of birth and begin to replace the words with meanings that empower us and reflect the true magnificence of who we are as women.

By Dr Sura

Nalu Chiropractic

75 Montgomery Street, Jersey City 

646-535-0710

Nalu Chiropractic is a holistic family practice with a special focus on Women’s Health and Healing, including fertility, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, motherhood and pediatrics. Find out more at NaluChiro.com.