We've talked about a lot of different possibilities this week. Some you may find frightening or prefer not to think about at all. However, you've learned that education is a key to overcoming fear.

Doing a relaxation exercise that focuses on the emotional aspects of labor can be very beneficial, particularly if you're feeling tense. This week is the perfect time to introduce this topic.

By helping your partner into a relaxed state using the previously learned techniques, you can begin to help her emotionally relax by using verbal and physical cues. Be reassuring of her choices, the decisions she has made up until this point. Remind her that her flexibility in times of change is a good thing.

Remember that how she feels about labor emotionally can and will effect her body's ability to give birth. A fearful woman will not dilate.

By utilizing touch to ensure your constant presence she never feels alone. By using your voice, she can always hear you. There is also some pretty convincing evidence that smells are very important because our olfactory senses are in over drive. So a favorite lotion or scent might be very familiar feeling as well.

Protecting her environment is an absolute must. The key to doing this in labor is to model the behavior you want others to do. Be quiet. Keep the lights low. Be respectful of her at all times, and not allowing distraction when she needs to focus (like during a contraction).

During your practice sessions use this exercise to discuss the worries that you both have and how you can over come them. By allowing yourselves time to have these feelings they can lessen the fearful intensity. Reminding her that her hard work and planning will pay off and she will have the positive birth that she needs, even when things might not go as planned.

See you next week in class six!