Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use Calm Birth during my labor?
Womb Breathing is the practice you will probably use most. As you practice it during your pregnancy, you start to breathe completely throughout the day without even thinking about it. By your baby’s birth day, you will be able to use Womb Breathing to center yourself during the labor. This helps you connect with your baby, and it supports your brain releasing hormones that increase joy and decrease fear. If you want to listen to the audioguide during labor, you definitely can, but you might not need to. You can also use it while you’re pushing, to recover between pushes, or while you breathe your baby out.
Practice of Opening is a wonderful way to relax during your labor. You can have contractions and return to the practice, getting deep rest in between. Relaxing your body in this way can help stop pre-labor contractions or allow for early contractions to become more regular and productive.
Can I use Calm Birth for a medical birth?
Absolutely—in fact, Calm Birth is highly encouraged for medical births. The immune system empowerment is ideal for the potential side effects of anesthesia, and speeds healing from invasive procedures.
During the administration of an epidural, Womb Breathing can be used to focus the woman and keep her still during the crucial points. After the epidural has taken effect, the partners can use Practice of Opening to deeply connect with the baby and stay focus on the miraculous process that is still taking place, though the sensations of labor are not as tangible. Throughout labor and during pushing, Womb Breathing is ideal to continue to nurture the baby and deeply connect.
What about Cesareans?
Cesareans, whether planned or not, also provide an important opportunity to deeply connect with the baby through the breath, supporting them through the birth with love and nourishment. Practice of Opening can be a good way to center the woman in her body before the operation, and Womb Breathing should be used throughout by both partners to maintain empowerment, connection, and optimal functioning. If you can listen to the audioguide using headphones or speakers, it can help you stay centered throughout the procedure.
These practices can also be used after the birth to help heal any emotional trauma or physical impacts.
How is Calm Birth different from other childbirth methodologies?
Calm Birth is unique from other childbirth methodologies in its application of ancient and modern meditation science to the pregnant and birthing body. No other methodologies teach complete breathing, channeling vital energy from the air into the body of parents and child. While most childbirth methodologies are focused on natural birth, Calm Birth applies to all types of childbirth. Additionally, while other childbirth methodologies end with birth, Calm Birth offers tools to empower parenthood and life itself.
How often should I practice?
When you are first beginning to practice, it’s best to use Womb Breathing at least once a day, in the morning. Then take several minutes throughout the day to practice this new type of breathing.
Eventually, you will find that this type of breathing comes naturally. Then, you may decide to try the meditation without the audioguide, guiding yourself into empowered breathing for 15-20 minutes. Maintaining a regular practice is important, since benefits increase with consistency. Womb Breathing is the most important practice to cultivate. If you only have time to do one meditation in a day, please do this.
Practice of Opening is another to use daily, if possible. Because it is deeply relaxing, Practice of Opening is best used at the end of the day or during an afternoon break.
How do I incorporate my partner?
Practice of Opening can become a bonding ritual: the partner lies behind the pregnant person, hands on the belly. The partner visualizes the developing body of the baby and focuses their energy on the new life. This is a wonderful way to relax together and deepen the relationship.
Womb Breathing is also perfect for both parents and any other birth attendant. The partner can sit behind the pregnant person, hands on the belly, and practice breathing energy. During pregnancy, birth, and life itself, both partners and baby benefit greatly from this healing practice.
When should I start?
It is never too late or too early to start the practices—from preconception to active labor! Starting early in pregnancy increases the benefits for the entire family, but the meditations are empowering, no when you start.
Is meditation religious?
Meditation is, in and of itself, not a religious practice. While different practices of meditation and prayer have been applied to many religions, the meditations used in Calm Birth were developed from Buddhist techniques but they are not exclusive to any one religion. They are used and taught by people with many diverse spiritual beliefs.
But do I need to be a Buddhist?
No! These meditations are rooted in science, not religion. Many of our teachers, founders, and leaders don’t identify as Buddhist. Our community includes people who practice all kinds of religions, or none at all. We understand that these techniques were made to be accessible to everyone, and that they are rooted in practices that have been refined over thousands of years. If you want to dive deeper into the lineage, we can offer resources, but the point of this is not to become a Buddhist: it’s to learn nondenominational practices that empower every breath of life.