TCC and the Birthing Experience

I often use T’ai Chi Chih practice for what I like to call “attitude readjustment,” letting go of emotions that prevent me from getting something done or resolving some conflict (i.e., anger, fear, frustration, etc.). I recently discovered yet another use for TCC, however, when I helped a friend, Anne, deliver her second child. Since I have not had a child myself nor been part of a live birth, I didn’t know what to expect from the labor and delivery process. I had no idea TCC would be a suitable tool or if an opportunity would present itself to include it during the birth, but I also knew that it was a gift I could share, if appropriate.

My partner and I arrived at Anne and Steven’s home around 9:00 p.m. The late evening hours were filled with labor contractions, sporadic conversation, and a feeling of ritual as Anne pulled power symbols out of her packed suitcase, laid them on the dining room table, and talked about the meaning they carried as well as the family members they represented. One of us made Anne a special herbal tea as we took turns timing contractions, entertaining her two-year-old son, Sam, talking with Anne’s sister and nephew, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of another new soul. Eventually the contractions slowed and everyone grew tired so we rested briefly before heading for the hospital around 3:15 am.

Once at the hospital my partner, a massage therapist, performed several seated massages on Anne interspersed with an occasional walk up and down the hospital halls. Around 9:00 am the midwife announced that in the five hours we had been at the hospital the cervix had dilated no more than two centimeters. “We need to change the energy in the room,” she proclaimed, cautioning that if we didn’t work harder at getting the baby delivered, the doctor was going to request that Anne take a drug to stimulate more contractions.

The midwife’s news was greeted with an unheard collective groan. This was supposed to be a natural birth and we were all committed to supporting and respecting the process as it unfolded no matter how long it took. But a night without sleep was beginning to wear on us all.

As I sat wondering what to do, TCC floated into my mind. I realized that now seemed an appropriate time to put it to use. The midwife had said, after all, that we needed to raise the energy in the room. I stood and asked myself which movements would be most helpful and two presented themselves to me: Joyous Breath and Passing Clouds. As I began Joyous Breath I was astonished by its appropriateness (try it and you’ll see what I mean). The downward pushing and exhalations seemed to duplicate movements that might naturally be used by a laboring woman. I followed Joyous Breath with Passing Clouds, starting slowly and speeding faster and faster.

By the time I finished my brief T’ai Chi Chih practice I felt more energized and refreshed and I had a sense that the energy in the room had changed as well.

Soon after the expectant parents returned from their walk we helped Anne squat. Within 30 seconds her water broke; the midwife, nurse, and remaining family members streamed into the room. As I stood holding her two-year-old Sam and watching the wonder of birth right before my eyes I was filled with amazement. While Anne’s birthing process benefited from the participation and contributions of us all, I was especially grateful for the T’ai Chi Chih. I was reminded yet again that, although T’ai Chi Chih is deceptively simple, it has great power.

Surely each birthing process has its own pace and timing, something that is best directed by the universal order. Even so, I’m inclined to believe that the T’ai Chi Chih had a positive, uplifting effect in the room and the energy of all of us present, thus benefiting the final phase of labor and delivery. Certainly T’ai Chi Chih is appropriate at many moments in our lives but it is a most welcome addition when preparing to meet and greet a new life energy (chi-ld).