Forbidden trance: why medicine hijacks altered consciousness during birth

Imagine a woman in labour, her eyes closed, swaying rhythmically to an internal beat. The room is dim, quiet, save for her deep, primal moans. Suddenly, she says: “I can see my baby. She’s coming down” This isn’t a scene from a mystical novel. This is Sarah, a first-time mother, experiencing what scientists are now calling the “birth trance” – a profound altered state of consciousness that modern medicine has been suppressing for decades.

In hospitals across the world, 80% of labouring women are subjected to interventions that disrupt this natural altered state. But what if I told you that this suppressed “birth trance” holds the key not only to easier, more empowering births, but to unlocking the untapped potential of the human mind?

As a former biologist turned birth & life transitions guide, I’ve witnessed first hand the transformative power of this altered state. I’ve seen women transcend pain, communicate with their unborn children, and tap into strength they never knew they had. And now, cutting-edge research is finally catching up to what midwives and doulas have known for millennia.

Welcome to the forbidden world of birth consciousness – a realm where science meets spirituality, and where the act of bringing life into the world can quite literally alter the fabric of reality. What you’re about to read will forever change the way you think about the human capacity for transcendence.

Introduction

When you hear “altered states of consciousness,” what pops into your mind? Psychedelic trips, mushrooms, ayahuasca? But what if I told you we’re all walking pharmacies, carrying within us the very tools – birth hormones – to alter our consciousness without any external substances? What if I told you that birth is one of the most powerful times when these hormones work together to facilitate one of the deepest shifts in consciousness during a woman’s life?

I’ve just finished writing a book about drumming as a catalyst for women’s growth. One chapter delves into how drumming stacks up against psychedelics in inducing trance-like states. Spoiler alert: drumming is not only safer and easier, but it’s every bit as powerful.

When I first introduced drumming as a birth support tool, it was pure intuition that guided me. But as I dove into writing, interviewing women I’d drummed for during birth, and poring over research on how drumming shifts our consciousness, a startling reality emerged: birth itself IS an altered state of consciousness. Modern maternity care actively disrupts this natural high, because it’s impossible to control women in this state.

Birth as a naturally altered state

During labour and birth, a cocktail of hormones floods the mother’s brain and body, particularly oxytocin, endorphins, and prolactin. These neurochemicals not only facilitate the physical process of birth but also induce a dreamlike state of mind. Many women report feeling disconnected from their usual thought patterns, experiencing time distortion, and accessing a deep, primal, instinctual part of themselves.

Anybody who has supported births knows when this happens, because the woman stops engaging in conversation and goes inwards. This usually happens when labour becomes established.

This shift in consciousness serves a biological purpose, allowing the birthing woman to focus intensely on the task at hand. It is described as “labourland” or being “in the birth zone.” The altered state contributes to pain management, as endorphins act as natural painkillers, as well as changing the perception of time and space. This heightened state of awareness can also lead to spiritual or transcendent experiences, with some women describing a sense of connection to a greater power or to generations of birthing women before them.

Understanding birth as an altered state emphasises the importance of creating a supportive, undisturbed environment that allows this natural process to unfold, leading to more positive birth experiences and outcomes.

The physiology of birth-induced altered consciousness

Hormonal changes during labour and birth

When a woman goes into labour, her body is a living, breathing symphony of hormones. As the first contractions begin, oxytocin takes centre stage. Also known as the love hormone, it’s the conductor of this miraculous orchestra. It sends powerful waves through her uterus, gently but persistently encouraging her baby to begin its journey. But oxytocin isn’t just about physical labour – it’s weaving a web of love and connection, preparing the mother’s heart to fall in love with her baby.

As the labour intensity builds, endorphins build up. These natural pain-relievers sweep through the mother’s body like a soothing tide. They don’t just dull the pain; they bring with them a sense of euphoria, a feeling of “I can do this!” It’s these endorphins that help guide the mother into the famous “labourland” – a state of altered consciousness where time seems to bend and the outside world fades away.

As labour progresses, a new player enters – catecholamines, the stress hormones. Early in labour, they’re like cautious gatekeepers. If the mother feels threatened or unsafe, these hormones pump the brakes on labour. But as birth approaches, they transform into enthusiastic cheerleaders, delivering a surge of energy just when the mother needs it most. It’s nature’s way of giving her that final push (pun intended!) to bring her baby earthside.

All the while, prolactin is working its magic behind the scenes. This mothering hormone begins to peak as labour starts naturally, whispering to every cell in the mother’s body, “Get ready” It’s laying the groundwork for breastfeeding and nudging the mother’s brain towards instinctive nurturing behaviours.

Together, these hormones alter the mother’s state of consciousness, helping her turn inward and find strength she never knew she had. They change how she perceives pain, sometimes transforming it into intense sensation or even pleasure. They forge the beginnings of an unbreakable bond between mother and child.

But this dance is delicate. It thrives in calm, dark, private environments where the mother feels safe and is supported by familiar people. It prefers to begin on its own terms, free from unnecessary interventions. It loves intuitive movement and positions that let gravity lend a helping hand.

Labour is an intricate hormonal ballet, a dance as old as humanity itself, guiding a new life into the world and a woman into motherhood.

Brain waves changes

Besides the hormones, there are also changes in brain waves. There is an increase in alpha and theta waves – the same patterns we see in deep meditation or hypnosis. The brain is tuning out the external world and tuning into the body’s innate wisdom.

This altered state isn’t unique to birth. It’s fascinatingly similar to other naturally occurring altered states. Think about the calm, focused state of a seasoned meditator, or the state of someone under deep hypnosis. Labour taps into these same neural pathways.

Going into labourland is not just a turn of phrase. It’s a real, physiologically measurable altered state of consciousness.

The Experience of Altered Consciousness During Birth

Published research on the topic

When I started looking into this I quickly realised that, unsurprisingly given the focus of modern maternity culture, there is almost no published research on the subject of the change of consciousness during birth. There are various people who have written about this state in books and online articles, including Ina May Gaskin, Sarah Buckley, and Hazel Tree in her book A birth path. Jane Hardwicke Collings has written about it in her blog. Jane also mentioned to me that studies done in Russia (we were not able to find this available online), have included measuring brain waves during labour.

The pain of labour is a gateway to an altered state of consciousness and ecstatic birth. Jane Hardwicke Collings
Brain waves slow even more, she may reach the deepest place of delta waves, the oneness of ecstatic bliss and complete unity. Hazel Tree

There is also a blog article by midwife Whapio Diane Bartlett which describes the stages of birth from a holistic/consciousness point of view.

This may be the pinnacle of the altered state. Brainwaves may shift to Delta, the slowest and deepest of our known patterns, which allows us access to the realms of the unconscious…the realms of profound knowing, meditative understanding and peak experiences. This is the realm of transformation. Whapio Diane Bartlett

I found a handful of articles mentioning altered states of consciousness during birth. A review paper from 2018 called Women’s psychological experiences of physiological childbirth: a metasynthesis, mentions altered states of consciousness and differences in time perception: “The peaks of endogenous oxytocin during labour, together with the progressive release of endorphins in the maternal brain, are likely to cause the altered state of consciousness most typical of unmedicated labour that midwives and mothers easily recognise or describe as ‘labour land’, but this phenomenon has received little attention from neuropsychology.”

Another paper from 2020, Birth as a neuro-psycho-social event: An integrative model of maternal experiences and their relation to neurohormonal events during childbirth, states that “The spontaneous altered state of consciousness, that some women experience, may well be a hallmark of physiological childbirth in humans. “ and “This description of women´s experiences during labor and birth and its potential for transformation resembles descriptions of mystical states of consciousness. Classically these states have been achieved through meditation and religious practices (including dancing, praying and fasting) or through intake of substances with hallucinogenic properties such as psilocybin or LSD“

Until very recently, the scientific community had largely overlooked the unique state of consciousness experienced by women during labour. The first person to publish a paper specifically about birth consciousness was Israeli researcher Dr Orli Dahan, in 2021. Dr Danan has published 11 papers on the subject since. I published an article about how drumming supports birth and altered states of consciousness in the International of birth and parenting education in 2023. This was the first time that an article was published about drumming and birth in a scientific journal.

The emergence of these papers is no coincidence; they are a reflection of our evolving understanding and readiness to explore new depths of human experience. It’s as if humanity has reached a tipping point, finally prepared to embrace truths that were previously ignored. This convergence of expanded awareness and scientific inquiry signals a new era in our understanding of birth, consciousness, and the nature of humanity.

According to Dahan’s theory of “birthing consciousness,” the mother’s brain enters an extraordinary state, unlike anything she’s experienced before. It’s as if nature has designed a special mindset just for this moment, one that will support her through the intensity of birth and lead to better outcomes.

Dahan’s research paints an intriguing picture. The usually chatty prefrontal cortex – the part of our brain responsible for complex thinking and self-control – takes a back seat. Blood flow to this area decreases, its activity diminishes. It’s like the logical, inhibited part of the brain is stepping aside, allowing something more primal and instinctive to take the wheel.

This shift isn’t just about getting through labour; it’s about thriving. Dahan argues that this altered state not only helps the mother navigate the physical challenges of birth but also opens the door to profound positive emotional experiences. It’s as if the brain is creating the perfect conditions for not just survival, but for a transformative journey.

These changes might not be a fleeting phenomenon. Dahan points to studies in rats showing that the experience of birth leaves a lasting imprint. Mother rats who’ve given birth show increased resilience to stress, an effect that persists well into their twilight years. Could human mothers experience similar long-term benefits?

Dahan’s work doesn’t stop at theory. She’s also explored practical factors that might influence birthing consciousness. Something as simple as softer lighting in hospital rooms, for instance, has been linked to fewer medical interventions. It’s a reminder that the environment we create for birthing women can have profound effects on their experiences.

For all these insights, Dahan is the first to admit we’re just scratching the surface. She points out a glaring gap in our knowledge – to date, no one has conducted direct research on the neuropsychological state of women during natural or medicated birth. It’s a call to action for the scientific community.

The potential implications of this research are vast. Understanding birthing consciousness could revolutionise how we approach birth, leading to better outcomes for women and their families. One thing is clear: the journey to understand birthing consciousness is just beginning.

Benefits of allowing this natural state to unfold

Supporting birth consciousness during labour and birth can have several important benefits:

Enhanced coping with labour pain and stress:

High endorphin levels during labour can produce an altered state of consciousness that helps women deal with the process of giving birth, even if it is long and challenging .
The “birthing consciousness” state is described as a healthy dissociative state that can reduce pain perception as labour progresses .

Promotion of physiological birth processes:

Allowing women to enter an altered state of consciousness during labour may be a hallmark of physiological childbirth in humans .
It can help optimise the release and effects of beneficial hormones like oxytocin that facilitate labour progress .

Improved maternal experience and satisfaction:

Women who experience physiological natural childbirth often describe it as a transcendent experience .
It can lead to feelings of euphoria and empowerment after birth .

Enhanced bonding and postpartum adaptation:

The altered state may strengthen the mother-infant relationship in the early postpartum period .
High endorphin levels can make mothers feel alert and attentive as they begin to care for their newborn .

Reduced need for medical interventions:

Supporting natural hormonal processes and altered consciousness may reduce the need for interventions that can interfere with labour progress .

Long-term psychological benefits:

The birthing experience can generate feelings of joy and awe that may be life-altering, enhancing self-esteem and boosting energy .

Potential for personal growth:

Experiencing birth consciousness may offer an opportunity for immense personal growth.

Note: The transformative power of trance states extends far beyond the birthing room, offering women a profound tool for growth and healing throughout their lives. Altered states of consciousness serve as gateways to deep inner wisdom, facilitating smoother transitions during pivotal life changes such as puberty, menopause, career shifts, and other endings and beginnings. Moreover, trance states have shown remarkable potential in healing trauma. By accessing these heightened states of awareness, women can safely revisit and reprocess traumatic experiences, allowing for deep emotional release and restructuring of neural pathways. Whether induced through meditation, breathwork, or rhythmic activities like drumming, trance experiences create a sacred space where women can shed old identities, embrace new aspects of themselves, and emerge renewed. In essence, trance states offer a powerful, natural method for women to navigate life’s challenges, foster personal growth, and reclaim their innate power and wisdom.

My experience of birth trance

When I gave birth to my first child at home (something which was unexpected, as a short few months before I was extremely scared of birth. Hiring a doula helped change this society imposed belief), I plunged into the depths of an altered state of consciousness. It wasn’t just during the birth itself – it was afterwards that its transformative effects truly became obvious. I was on a high from the experience, feeling euphoric, like I could achieve anything. This feeling lasted for weeks, and even now, over 18 years later, I can still tap into this experience as one of the empowering experiences of my life.

Not only did I feel amazing, but there was a distinct feeling that the world around me had shifted; everything looked and felt different, brighter, more vibrant. This altered state lingered for days, as if my brain had been completely rewired by the experience.

This shift sparked a complete change in my career trajectory. When my son was just 4 months old, I found myself at a Birthlight birth conference, rubbing shoulders with birth legends like Ina May Gaskin, Michel Odent, and Frederic Leboyer. It was there that a woman said something to me that still echoes in my mind: “Our society doesn’t want women to have transformative experiences like yours – because look at you now.”

Her words really hit me. I knew exactly what she meant. Women who’ve experienced births like mine no longer fit neatly into society’s mould. We’ve glimpsed something powerful, something primal, and it changes us. We become harder to control, less likely to blindly follow the status quo. It’s as if the birth experience awakens an untamed part of ourselves that society would rather keep dormant.

My journey from that homebirth to the conference and my leaving my scientific job behind to support women in achieving positive birth experiences was more than just a change in career – it was a radical shift in consciousness, a rebirth of my own. And I realised that this transformation, this awakening, is precisely what makes such birth experiences so potent – and perhaps, so threatening.

Stories from women about this altered state during birth

In the middle phase of my labour I was very much in an altered state of consciousness, the closest experience I could connect it to was doing ayahuasca in the Peruvian jungle years before, I was very grateful for that actually because it gave me the confidence to be able to surrender into it and trust that state which is so unlike our waking life. When I was in the birth pool in the dark lit only by our fire and fairy lights I felt like I literally became a mermaid submerged in the dark waters. It was so sensual and my mind completely fell away. I had this strong sense of making love to pain, literally like it was this sensual union with discomfort and the opening of my body! Amelia

A nice element of my birth for me is completely losing the sense of time. My birth, as beautiful as it was, had quite the intensity too, so not having the sense of time was glorious….and after I gave birth to my baby, I honestly don’t know what day of the week it was or whether it was night or day. Somebody could have told me we are in a different month or year and I honestly wouldn’t know if they’re telling the truth or not. Magdalena

I actively spoke with and received answers from the divine/God/universe, while birthing my third child. Sophia

I had an out of body experience too . I met with my deceased best friend and twins and landed in my body as my daughter was born. Alice

As my doula arrived and rubbed my lower back it was like I levitated above the scene. Husband behind in the doorway to the left, nervously watching. Two midwives preparing tools and equipment, listening to my guttural birth noise. Then lightness and lift as I was just watching myself do the thing. I have no recollection of the crowning. Baby cried before the shoulders were out. No feelings in the body but just watching it all occur around like a scene in a film. It was like there was something I could not be present in my body for. Like I had to go and get her soul before I could ground again. Spiritually it moved me to a new level of understanding of source and connection that wouldn’t be fully understood until years later. When I reflect on the experience now it’s clear to me that what I experienced was a leaving of the human body and into the soul space. What needed to happen through this birth was a disconnection from all that was to carve a new path. Lorna

Most of my 6h labour was at home with no midwife, just my doula. I put on headphones with relaxing music and it went like that until the delivery. Midwife got there 10-15min before my baby was born. He was my second and this was a planned home birth. I was totally in the zone with my headphones, no interruptions. Just completely present with the sensations in my body and I’ve embraced the overwhelm of each wave of contraction with my deep breaths. Having the headphones, being at home, no interruptions was essential to be in my bubble.. almost as if I were by myself in a dark cave but very safe. Cristina

I was pleased in a way the midwife didn’t arrive because I got to have my journey in peace but at the same time, having worked with midwives that actively support this, having seen the difference it makes for a woman in labour, I felt sad I didn’t have one there to hold the space and very very grateful I went with my instinct and against COVID regulations and got my doula to be there for me. I had visions, time elapsed. I was both very much in my body, in the room, and at the same time somewhere else. I was everything and everywhere at the same time that I was nothing but flesh and blood and bones. I was absolutely eternal and inescapably mortal. Laura

Part of my birth trance was becoming love, an overwhelming feeling of being a portal of love. It flowed out. I grew to 10 foot high and was the goddess of my world. I remember thinking ‘I AM love’. It was f#*kING awesome. Rosie

Time is different. Looking back at video footage of my homebirth, I remember what was happening but I felt I was in a different “place/time”. It’s hard to describe. Lynsey

From breaking my waters and walking in a field full of damselflies, I became quickly held in a space of becoming and transition. I could feel there was a total coming together of my voice as I toned out sounds, and found my ebb and flow. The connection with my body and my baby and the powerful rite of passage in my own home, with our beautiful doula and two respectful, tuned-in midwives enabled me, in our tiny living room, to create safety and a net of power. My body, at age 40, found an inner strength and there was no room for anything other than what I can only describe as being in a different realm of consciousness and dreaming, where the space I held was one of protectors and the one being initiated, truly sacred space. It is the greatest honour and biggest achievement of my life to have brought my boys (my oldest one 7 years before) into the world in this way, and joy. Angie

I blended with the universe . I found a focal point which was a painting . It became my force . Anything else just became part of me as my baby was born and came into the world seamlessly. Hayet.

My consciousness was circling upwards at the top of my head and I met and merged with my son’s consciousness and brought him into the physical reality. Ailsa

What fascinates me in the collection of stories above, is that several women describe experiencing an out of body experience. This state is also known to be associated with death, or near death experiences. In the book DMT: The Spirit Molecule, author Rick Strassman hypotheses that the release of the natural psychedelic DMT by our brain may play a role in these, and other mystical experiences. There is also emerging evidence that the endocannabinoid systems plays a role in labour and birth at uterine level, and whilst effects on the brain haven’t yet been studies, I would not be surprised if they played a role too.

How and why medicine interrupts the birth Trance

Common practices that disrupt the natural state

Being cared for by people you have not met before: It’s challenging to relax and enter that birth zone state when you’re constantly meeting new people.
Having a constant, familiar presence – like a doula or midwife you already know before the first – can make a world of difference. It’s like having your personal coach throughout your entire marathon, cheering you on every step of the way.
Change of support person during shifts/ lack of continuity of care: Just as you’ve built a rapport with one care provider, their shift ends. It’s like changing coaches mid-game – disruptive and potentially unsettling.
Having to travel to an unfamiliar environment during labour: Trading your cosy home nest for a clinical environment can be jarring. It’s like trying to meditate in an airport – possible, but not ideal for entering that altered state of consciousness.
Bright lights and loud noises: Bright lights, beeping machines, unfamiliar smells and noises – it’s a far cry from the calm, dimly lit environment that supports birth consciousness. It’s like trying to sleep with a spotlight in your face and a rock concert next door.
Frequent interventions and examinations : Frequent examinations and interventions can disrupt the natural flow of labour. It’s like constantly checking your watch during meditation – it breaks your concentration.
Time pressure and expectations of progress : Labour doesn’t always follow a schedule, but hospital protocols often expect it to. It’s like having a countdown clock on your marathon – not exactly relaxing.
Use of pain medication and epidurals : Often offered as a first resort rather than part of a range of coping strategies, pain medication can interfere with the natural hormonal process of labour. It’s like taking a shortcut in your marathon – it might make things easier, but you might miss out on the full experience.
[Note: Pain relief can be necessary and beneficial for some women. The issue is not its existence, but how it’s presented and used.]
Not being able to make informed decisions: Many women aren’t fully informed about their options or the potential impacts of various interventions. It’s like running a race without knowing the course – you can do it, but you’re at a disadvantage.
Restrictive guidelines and one size fits all approach: Women are often pressured to consent to interventions based on an average population instead of their own unique circumstances. Recognising that every birth, like every woman, is unique. It’s about tailoring the experience to support individual needs and preferences, not following a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Why modern maternity care actively disrupt the birth trance

The idea that our culture unconsciously interrupts the “birth trance” to exert control is rooted in the larger context of how power dynamics and social norms influence birth. It can be broken down into several aspects:

Medicalisation of birth: Modern cultures, particularly in the West, have increasingly medicalised birth, shifting it from a natural process to a highly managed, clinical event. This medicalisation is often framed as being for safety, but it also transfers power and authority away from the birthing person to medical professionals. The “birth trance”—a deeply instinctual, altered state of consciousness many women enter during labour—can be disrupted by interventions like bright lights, frequent monitoring, and verbal instructions. These actions interrupt the natural rhythm of labour, reducing the birthing woman’s autonomy and reliance on their own bodily wisdom, effectively placing control in the hands of others.
Cultural anxiety around surrender and vulnerability: Birth is a profoundly vulnerable and intense process that requires a certain surrender to one’s body and instincts. Our culture tends to be uncomfortable with states of surrender, especially when it comes to women’s bodies. Society often encourages control, predictability, and structure. Medical protocols, constant monitoring, and interventions—though presented as necessary—also reflect a cultural bias toward controlling a process that might otherwise appear chaotic or unpredictable.
Fear of female power: The birth trance represents a powerful state where women can experience immense physiological and psychological transformation. Patriarchal structures have often sought to suppress expressions of female power, particularly in relation to childbirth, which is an inherently female, and thus potentially threatening, experience to male-dominated systems of power. By interrupting this trance, cultural norms may unconsciously aim to suppress the power women hold in this deeply primal moment, reinforcing existing hierarchies where medical professionals or institutions hold authority over women’s bodies.
Disconnection from nature and instinct: Modern society places high value on intellect and technology, at the expense of intuition and nature. The birth trance is an instinctual, bodily experience that connects a woman deeply to her natural rhythms and ancestral wisdom. By interrupting this process, society reinforces a cultural disconnection from the body and nature. This serves to maintain control over birth by privileging external, scientific authority over internal, intuitive knowledge.
Economics and efficiency: Hospitals and medical systems are structured around efficiency and managing large volumes of patients, often within tight timeframes. Allowing women to enter a natural birth trance, which can slow labour down and make it less predictable, conflicts with these priorities. As a result, interventions like labour induction, c-sections, and other forms of control are encouraged to keep the process on a manageable timetable. This commodification of birth serves institutional needs at the expense of the woman’s natural process, further reinforcing a culture of control.

Towards a more conscious approach to maternity care

To support birth consciousness, we need to

Provide a calm, comfortable, homely, dimly light, quiet, and private birthing environment
Minimise disturbances and unnecessary interventions
Offer continuity of care and one-on-one support from caregivers familiar to the mother, whose presence she finds soothing.
Recognise and promote homebirth as a valid, normal and empowering choice
Foster a supportive emotional atmosphere that promotes feelings of safety and trust
Encourage and respect the mother’s intuition and bodily wisdom
Offer non-pharmacological pain management techniques that work with the altered state (relaxation, hypnobirthing, breathwork, massage, music, scents, drumming…)
Educate birth professionals and women about the states of consciousness during birth and how to support them
Minimise cognitive stimulation and questions during labour, allowing the mother to stay in her trance state
Train birth partners to support and enhance the birth trance state
Implement policies that allow for flexibility in birth plans and timelines, respecting the unique rhythm of each labour
Create a culture of reverence for the transformative nature of the birth experience

These are unlikely to happen in the current model of care. The practices that support birth consciousness are at odds with many aspects of the current model of care. Today’s maternity services prioritise efficiency, standardisation, and risk management over individualised, woman-centred care. Hospital environments are typically clinical rather than homely, care is often fragmented rather than continuous, and interventions are frequently routine rather than minimised. The medicalisation of birth has overshadowed the profound psycho-emotional and spiritual aspects of the birthing process.

Supporting birth trance: a practical guide for birth workers

In our modern culture, the deep altered state of consciousness that occurs during birth remains largely unrecognised. Maternity care protocols often actively disrupt this natural phenomenon, unaware of its significance. As birth workers, our primary responsibility is twofold:

Self-education: Immerse yourself in the research and writings of pioneers in birth consciousness (as referenced in the scientific section of this article). Develop a deep understanding of how to facilitate and protect this altered state.
Client education: This is crucial, and it must go beyond mere information sharing, as experiential learning is key.

For clients unfamiliar with altered states, providing multiple hands-on experiences during pregnancy is paramount. Theoretical knowledge alone is insufficient; lived experiences are essential for true comprehension.

Offer regular opportunities to experience trance-like states, depending on what appeals most to your clients and what you feel comfortable offering:

Guided meditation/relaxation
Hypnobirthing scripts
Conscious movement (such as 5rhythms dancing or pregnancy specific dance)
Drum-assisted journeys (recorded or live)

Drum-facilitated meditations are particularly effective. Research shows that rhythmic auditory entrainment significantly eases access to deep trance states compared to meditation alone. (See my published paper on drumming and birth for scientific backing). You can find pregnancy and birth focused drum journeys on both my Youtube Channel, and on Jane Hardwicke Collings ‘s Youtube channel.

Guide clients in creating optimal birthing environments that support the trance state:

Emphasise the importance of dim lighting, privacy, and a quiet and cosy atmosphere, in the context of protecting the birth trance
Help develop strategies to maintain this environment in various birth settings (some of my client chose to wear noise cancelling headphones and eye masks)
Assist in articulating these preferences in birth plan documents

Educate partners on their critical role as guardians of the birth trance, emphasising their importance in minimising disruptions and maintaining a protective space.

While challenging, attempt to educate medical professionals about birth consciousness. Be prepared for resistance, but remember that even small shifts in understanding can lead to significant changes over time.

During the birth: your role as a gatekeeper is crucial. Every action and decision should be made with awareness of its potential impact on the birthing woman’s altered state.

Flexibility is key: Remember that each birth and mother is unique. Remain adaptable and acutely attuned to the individual needs of each woman. Your ultimate goal is to create and fiercely protect the sacred space where the birth trance can naturally unfold, empowering the mother to access her innate birthing wisdom.

By embracing this approach, we not only support individual births but also contribute to a broader shift in birth culture, honouring the profound psychological and spiritual dimensions of this transformative life event.

A vision for the future

However, there is reason for hope. There is a growing awareness and a gradual shift in understanding birth as more than just a medical event. This shift is happening on multiple fronts:

Consumer demand: More women are becoming informed about their birth options and are advocating for more supportive, individualised, less interventionist care.
Education: Childbirth educators, doulas and conscious midwives are playing a crucial role in informing women about the importance of the birth environment and their own innate capabilities.
Research: More studies are exploring the psychological and physiological benefits of supportive birth practices, and the change of consciousness during birth
Policy changes: Some healthcare systems are beginning to implement policies that support more woman-centred care, including continuity of care models.
Integration of complementary therapies: Many maternity units are now more open to incorporating complementary therapies that can support birth consciousness, such as hypnobirthing techniques, aromatherapy, and the use of music or rhythmic sounds.

I know this may sound naive in the face of a severely underfunded and understaffed maternity care system, with closure of home birth teams and birth centres, and the ever increasing rate of interventions, and tightening of regulations. We should never underestimate the power of a few determined individuals to affect change. Also remember that, when you push the pendulum too far one way, it also eventually swings back the other way.

While systemic change may be slow, every small step towards supporting birth consciousness is valuable. Each woman who experiences a birth where her consciousness is honoured and supported becomes an advocate for change. Each healthcare provider who learns about and respects birth consciousness can influence their colleagues and institution.

The concept of a tipping point – that moment when a series of small changes or incidents becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change – is particularly relevant to the revolution in birth consciousness. Research shows that, for a new idea to be embraced exponentially, we only need about 17% of the population to know about it. We may be approaching such a tipping point in maternity care. As more women experience and share their stories of conscious births, as more healthcare providers witness the profound benefits of supporting the birth trance, and as research continues to validate the importance of honouring this altered state, we inch closer to a paradigm shift.

Each positive birth experience, each converted practitioner, each published study acts like a pebble on a scale. Once reached, the tipping point could trigger a rapid transformation in how society views and supports birth. We might see a swift transition from birth as a medical event to birth as a holistic, consciousness-altering rite of passage. This tipping point holds the potential not just to revolutionise maternity care, but to profoundly impact how we understand human consciousness, the power of women’s bodies, and the nature of the transition into motherhood. Every effort to support and promote birth consciousness becomes vital, for it may be the pebble that finally tips the scale towards a new era of enlightened, woman-centred birth practices.

The journey towards fully supporting birth consciousness in mainstream maternity care may be long, but it has begun. This shift not only has the power to improve birth experiences and outcomes but also to catalyse a broader societal rise in consciousness.

A story of hope for the future

A quiet revolution is taking place in birth rooms across the country. Gone are the days of stark, clinical environments and a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, a new paradigm is emerging, one that honours the unique, altered state of consciousness that women can enter during labour.

Picture Sarah, a first time mother, and her partner, Alex. To support her through the journey, she hires a doula, Zoe. Zoe enters the picture long before the birth itself. In the weeks leading up to Sarah’s due date, Zoe meets with Sarah and Alex regularly. She helps them understand the concept of birth-trance, explaining how this altered state of consciousness can profoundly affect Sarah’s birth experience. Together, they practise techniques that will help Sarah tap into this state more easily when labour begins.

On the big day, Zoe arrives at Sarah’s home in the early stages of labour. She immediately sets about creating a soothing environment – dimming lights, playing soft music, and using aromatherapy to engage Sarah’s senses in a way that promotes relaxation and inward focus. She plays repetitive, trance inducing beats on her drum to further support Sarah’s entrance into labourland.

As contractions intensify and Sarah begins to slip into her birth-trance, Zoe and Alex recognise the signs immediately. Her voice drops to a whisper, her movements become slower and more deliberate. Zoe gently guides Alex in supporting Sarah, showing him how to provide touch and verbal encouragement without disrupting Sarah’s focus.

When the midwife, Maria, arrives at Sarah’s home, she’s also a familiar face, as Sarah has also been seeing throughout her pregnancy. Zoe works seamlessly with Maria. She shares Sarah’s progress and preferences with Maria, without Sarah having to break her concentration, ensuring that the environment remains conducive to the birth-trance state.

Maria herself is very aware of Sarah’s needs for quiet support, and she blends into the quiet and dimly lit space, addressing Sarah with gentle, reassuring whispers.

During a particularly intense phase of labour, when Sarah begins to doubt herself, Zoe steps in. She reminds Sarah of her strength, using visualisations they had practised together. She resumes her intuitive drum beats to support Sarah’s brain waves in slowing down. Her calm, steady presence helps Sarah re-center and sink deeper into her altered state.

In the pushing stage, Zoe and Maria work with Alex to physically support Sarah in her chosen birthing positions. They whisper encouragement, reminding Sarah to trust her body and her instincts.

After the birth, Zoe and Maria remain present, maintaining the quiet, sacred atmosphere as Sarah and Alex bond with their newborn. They ensure Sarah is comfortable, and undisturbed during this precious golden hour.

In the weeks following the birth, Zoe and Maria both visit Sarah at home. They process the birth experience together, helping Sarah understand and integrate the powerful altered state she experienced during labour.

This collaborative model – a continuity of care one, where doulas work alongside midwives to support birthing women’s altered states of consciousness – is now the norm in maternity care. It’s an approach that recognises the profound psychological and physiological benefits of the birth-trance state, and actively works to create environments where this state can unfold.

Weeks later, as Sarah reflects on her experience, she feels a sense of empowerment and awe. The birth wasn’t just about bringing her child into the world; it was a transformative journey, made possible by an environment that recognised and supported her ability to enter a unique state of consciousness.

Home birth is also now considered the norm, as research shows that it is easier to enter the birth trance state in one’s own environment, and therefore safer for both mother and baby. For the rare cases where a more medicalised setting is needed, hospitals and birth centres have trained their staff in recognising and supporting altered states. They have redesigned their spaces to be more conducive to supporting them. And perhaps most importantly, they’re empowering women like Sarah to understand, anticipate, and advocate for birth experiences that honour this incredible capacity of the human mind and body. The revolution is quiet, but its impact is profound.

Conclusion

The journey through birth consciousness is a testament to the innate wisdom of the body and the transformative power of birth. The birth trance is not merely a biological curiosity, but a vital component of the birthing process with far-reaching implications for maternal and infant well-being.

The stark contrast between the natural altered state of consciousness during birth and the practices of modern maternity care highlights a critical need for change. By understanding and honouring this unique state, we have the opportunity to revolutionise birth experiences, empowering women and potentially improving outcomes for both mothers and babies.

The stories shared by mothers who have experienced this altered state underscore its significance. These accounts of transcendence, out of body experiences, connection, and empowerment reveal the deeply personal and often spiritual nature of birth when allowed to unfold naturally.

As we move forward, it’s crucial that we continue to bridge the gap between scientific understanding and holistic practices. The work of researchers like Dr. Orli Dahan provides a foundation, and there is still much to explore and understand about the neuropsychological state of women during birth.

Ultimately, recognising and supporting the birth trance is about more than just improving birth experiences. It’s about acknowledging the power and wisdom of women’s bodies, challenging societal norms that seek to control this uniquely female experience, and reclaiming birth as a transformative rite of passage.

As we continue to unravel the mysteries of birth consciousness, we open doors to a more empowering, respectful, and holistic approach to birth. In doing so, we not only honour the journey of each birthing woman but also contribute to the evolution of human consciousness.

Do you resonate? Did you have an experience of the birth trance? I’d love to hear what you think.