Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABIHM

A grand adventure is about to begin.
                      - Winnie the Pooh

WHEE can be of enormous help in pregnancy, labor and delivery.

Having a baby is a very special event. For many people this is truly a blessed experience. There are all the joys of bringing new life into the world; bonding in new ways with a spouse or partner; learning ever deeper, positive  lessons in life; finding deeper meaningfulness in living; and much, much more.

Having a baby may be a special experience in very different ways. Being pregnant may present many serious challenges. An unexpected child may be a strain on relationships, career, finances, health and nerves.

WHEE in pregnancy

Pregnancy may stimulate varieties of anxieties, particularly if this is your first pregnancy. It is very normal to worry about any new experience that is of major importance in your life. There are many changes going on in every aspect of your being.

• Your body is adapting to provide a nurturing environment for your baby. Your uterus will grow, as will your breasts.
• Your emotions may be a bit wobbly, due to major changes in hormones.
• Your mind may be more distractible, and your sleep patterns may change.
• Your relationships with your spouse or partner, and with other family members and friends may change.
• You may find yourself thinking about the meaning and purpose of your life.

The pace and intensity of changes may be slow and gentle, or you may find them unexpectedly sudden and intense. If any of these are uncomfortable, you can ease your transitions through pregnancy using WHEE.

Jessie was truly delighted to find herself pregnant. Although this had not been planned, she and Tom, her boyfriend of three years, found themselves comfortable with the prospect of having a child. They had been hesitant about getting married, but this brought them closer with each other to the point that they were committed to tying the knot.

Jessie was surprised to find herself fretting in her sixth month about whether Tom was firm in his commitment, and worrying about gaining more weight than her doctor recommended. When she started having trouble falling asleep at night, and started waking frequently in a sweat with nightmares about being alone and abandoned, losing her teeth, and losing the baby, she sought the help of a counselor.

She was greatly relieved to learn that these are all common experiences of women during pregnancy. With the help of WHEE she was able to clear her anxieties and worries and was sleeping normally within two weeks. Jessie was particularly grateful that she had the use of WHEE at any time she needed it, and that she could even use it in public without anyone knowing she was de-stressing.

The first pregnancy and impending motherhood include major changes in lifestyles, relationships and obligations. It is normal and natural to feel anxieties, worries and fears about such issues. Talking with other women who have gone through these experiences is also helpful – for practical advice and support.

More in WHEE for Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery – Part 2

You may reproduce all or parts of this article in your journal, magazine, ezine, blog or other web or paper publication on condition that you credit the source as follows: Copyright © 2012 Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABHM   All rights reserved. Original publication at WholisticHealingResearch.com where you will find many more related articles on this and similar subjects of wholistic healing. 

Further information about WHEE

Basics of the WHEE process

WHEE Videos

Appreciations for benefits of WHEE

Problems helped by WHEE

Book on WHEE for Pain 

WHEE workbook

WHEE workshops

Articles:
   Introductory WHEE article

   WHEE for trauma and re-entry problems 

   WHEE for children

   WHEE-kly brief articles

WHEE research