Opening to Birth
Shifting the Narrative from Contraction to Expansion
When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.”
– Wayne Dyer
When we talk about labour, we often describe it in terms of contractions—tightening, squeezing, bearing down. It’s a word that implies restriction, effort, even discomfort. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of thinking about contraction, we thought about expansion?
Labour is not just about pressure and intensity. It is about opening, about making space, about unfolding. The cervix does not clamp down; it softens. The pelvis does not lock up; it creates room. Each wave during labour brings us closer to the greatest expansion of all—welcoming new life.
The ‘Physiology‘ of Expansion
Throughout pregnancy, the body has been expanding in miraculous ways—stretching, shifting, growing. Labour is the natural continuation of that process.
- After months of expansion, the uterus works rhythmically to guide the baby downward.
- The cervix, often described as a gateway, does not close—it thins and opens, widening up to 10 centimeters to allow passage.
- The pelvis, a beautifully designed structure, moves and adjusts, offering more space with each contraction.
Hormones play a vital role in this process, working together in a synchronized way—like an orchestra playing in harmony to facilitate birth.
During pregnancy, relaxin softens the ligaments and joints, allowing them to expand as the baby grows. In labour, oxytocin, the hormone of love and connection, drives the vertical muscles of the uterus to pull up, the cervix to open, and the baby to descend.
Simultaneously, beta-endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers, support relaxation and ease labour intensity, allowing this expansion process to unfold smoothly. This isn’t just a mechanical process; it is an intuitive, physiological unfolding that our bodies are designed for. Instead of considering each surge a painful squeeze, it can help to reframe it as a wave of opening and release.
Expansion in Nature
This idea of opening, rather than constricting, mirrors the rhythms of the natural world:
Waves – The ocean does not resist the tide; it ebbs and flows, moving in rhythm with nature.
Flowers – A blooming flower does not force itself open; it responds to warmth, light, and the conditions supporting its unfolding.
Breath – When we inhale, we expand. When we exhale, we release. The very act of deep breathing reminds us that both contraction and expansion are necessary and deeply connected.
Labor is no different. It is a process of softening, of working with the body, rather than against it.
Reframing Labor: A Mindset Shift
Language is powerful, and how we talk about birth shapes our experience. If we hear the word contraction, we might imagine clenching, squeezing, resisting. But if we shift to expansion, we think of opening, creating space, and moving with ease.
Some alternative ways to reframe common labour terms:
- Instead of “pain,” think of power.
- Instead of “tension,” think of sensation.
- Instead of “coping,” think of surrendering.
- Instead of “getting through labour,” think of working with your body.
This mindset shift allows us to meet labor with more trust, less fear, and a more profound sense of allowing.
Here are some practical ways to encourage expansion during labour…
If you’re preparing for birth, here are some ways to embrace this concept of expansion during your pregnancy:
Breathwork – Deep, slow inhales, and longer exhalations encourage openness in the body. Imagine breathing into your cervix and pelvis, creating space with each breath. Fun fact- your body secretes more oxytocin during exhalation!
Movement– patterns encouraging pelvic balance and mobility, such as hip circles, lunges, squats, and swaying, can help optimise your baby’s positioning for a more straightforward labour and birth.
Visualization – When we imagine an experience vividly, our brain activates as if we were actually living it, influencing our body’s physiological response. By picturing the cervix unfolding like a blooming flower or the pelvis widening like an opening gate, we send safety signals to the nervous system, encouraging the body to soften and work efficiently.
💆 Relaxation & Release – Tension in the jaw, shoulders, and hands often mirrors tension in the pelvic floor. Softening these areas signals the body to open.
When we stop seeing labour and birth as a series of contractions and instead as a process of expansion, we reclaim the narrative of birth. Each wave is a step toward more space, more openness, and ultimately, the arrival of new life.
If we were to think of labour as the finale to a process that started at conception, then it is logical to believe that your body has been expanding, shifting, and preparing for this moment since the very beginning.
As labour unfolds, everything is coming together in harmony—your hormones, muscles, and breath—like a perfectly orchestrated symphony, guiding your baby into the world.
So the next time you think about contractions, remember: your body is not just tightening—it is…
Opening
Expanding
Making space
And in doing so, you are stepping into one of the greatest expansions of all—bringing life into the world.
What words or images help you feel more connected to this idea?
