Can You Give Birth In Your Sleep?

Every baby’s birth is different—as this family found out when their son was born while mom was asleep. Yes, you read that correctly.

Texas mom Laura Thompson was admitted to the hospital on October 9, 2020 so doctors could induce her labor. Thompson told Yahoo! News Australia that she was induced around 6 a.m. and received her epidural at noon—but labor “took forever to progress.”

By 9 p.m., she was still only dilated 6 centimeters, and she’d lost feeling in her left leg. Thompson’s medical team recommended that she and her husband try to get some rest before their little boy arrived. The couple fell asleep around 10 p.m…

So… can you give birth in your sleep?

Thompson did. She and her husband fell asleep after a slow-progressing labor, but were woken up shortly afterwards by a nurse who came into the room to check on Thompson and readjust her monitors.

“She woke me up, moved the blanket to move the peanut ball I was using, and yelled “BABY IN THE BED!” and called for a code blue,” said Thompson.

While she had been asleep, Thompson had given birth to their son, Jones.

He arrived quickly and quietly and was laying on Thompson’s numb leg, which was why she couldn’t feel him in the bed.

“I honestly wouldn’t believe it happened if it hadn’t happened to us,” the new mom said.

“I honestly laughed when I saw him. I had felt him moving for so long that I just knew he was strong and okay. It was a surreal moment,” she added.

The family is happy, healthy and doing well.

“Jonesy is our proof that 2020 wasn’t all bad. He’s a pretty awesome little person,” added Thompson.

Click here to read about: Sleep Deprivation during Pregnancy and Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: Is There a Relationship? – PMC (nih.gov)

Giving birth in your sleep: The phenomenon of childbirth

‍Giving birth is a transformative and awe-inspiring experience that brings new life into the world. While most women are awake and aware during the birthing process, there have been instances where women have given birth while asleep. This phenomenon, although rare, has intrigued birth professionals and sparked discussions about the power of the human body and the potential for a more peaceful and pain-free childbirth experience. In this article, we will explore the concept of giving birth in your sleep, drawing insights from historical accounts and contemporary perspectives on natural childbirth.

The historical perspective

The idea of giving birth while asleep is not a recent discovery. In fact, there are documented cases dating back to the late 19th century that describe mothers who went into labor and delivered their babies without waking up. One such account can be found in the midwifery journal “The Science and Practice of Midwifery,” published in 1880 by Dr. W. Playfair. According to Dr. Playfair, there are numerous authentic instances where labor began during sleep, and the baby was born without the mother awakening.

Dr. Grantly Dick Read and ‘natural’ childbirth

Dr. Grantly Dick Read, a renowned obstetrician from the early 20th century, revolutionized the way women perceive and experience childbirth. He believed that fear and tension were the primary causes of pain during labor and advocated for ‘natural childbirth’ as a means to alleviate these discomforts. Dr. Read argued that fear and tension in the muscles, particularly in the uterine muscles, can lead to increased pain during childbirth. He emphasized the importance of relaxation, both physically and mentally, to allow the body to work harmoniously and minimize pain.

Understanding the three evils: Fear, pain, and tension

Dr. Dick Read identified fear, pain, and tension as the three evils that hinder the natural birthing process. He believed that these elements were not inherent to the design of childbirth but were introduced by societal influences and medical interventions. Fear, especially in modern cultures, has been widely associated with the pain and danger of childbirth. This fear leads to tension in the muscles, particularly the muscles responsible for opening the womb, resulting in resistance and increased pain during labor.

Factors that increase sensations of pain in labor

Dr. Dick Read outlined eight factors that can intensify the sensations of pain during labor. By understanding and addressing these factors, women can create a more comfortable and relaxed birthing environment.

Low iron levels: Anemia can limit the capacity of cells to store oxygen, leading to increased pain. Taking vitamin C and consuming iron-rich foods can help improve iron uptake during pregnancy.
Tiredness: The physical demands of pregnancy can lead to fatigue, which can amplify sensations of pain. Rest, relaxation, and adequate nutrition are vital in combating fatigue during pregnancy.
Emotional weariness: Emotional stress and lack of support can contribute to mental exhaustion. Surrounding oneself with a supportive circle of friends and setting boundaries can help alleviate weariness of mind during pregnancy and labor.
Depression and disappointment: A lack of emotional support and a negative support network can lead to despair during pregnancy. Seeking help and support from others is essential in combatting depression and disappointment.
Loss of control: Providing a comfortable and calm environment, free from external influences, can help reduce discomfort and promote relaxation during labor.
Racing fearful thoughts: Focusing on positive mantras and visualization techniques can redirect fearful thoughts and promote a sense of calm during labor.
Seeking out positive depictions of birth: Avoiding depictions of birth as emergencies or highly stressful events can help resist what are termed ‘negative auto suggestions’. Engaging in relaxation exercises and actively seeking positive birth imagery can counteract these auto suggestions.
A calm birth partner: Sympathy and pity can reinforce feelings of weakness and pain during labor. Choosing a birth partner who is calm and knowledgeable can provide the necessary support without promoting sympathetic pain.

The importance of altered awareness in birth

Dr. Michel Odent, a prominent figure in the natural birth movement, emphasizes the significance of altered awareness during childbirth. He advocates for an undisturbed birthing environment that respects the mother’s altered state of consciousness, allowing her to remain in a deep, relaxed state throughout labor and birth. By not disturbing the mother, both before and after birth, the mother and baby can fully adapt to their new life outside the womb.

The potential of giving birth in your sleep

The concept of giving birth while asleep raises fascinating possibilities for a more peaceful and pain-free childbirth experience. While it may not be feasible for every woman, the idea of entering a state of deep relaxation and surrender during labor holds great appeal. By creating a calm and supportive birthing environment, women may be able to tap into their body’s innate wisdom and give birth without the interference of fear, tension, and pain.

While giving birth in your sleep may seem like a rare and extraordinary phenomenon, it sheds light on the potential for a more natural and gentle childbirth experience. Drawing inspiration from historical accounts and the insights of pioneers like Dr. Grantly Dick Read, women can explore ways to create a birthing environment that promotes relaxation, trust, and surrender. By addressing the factors that intensify sensations of pain during labor and embracing altered awareness, women have the opportunity to embark on a transformative journey of giving birth while asleep, or at the very least, experience a more peaceful and empowering birth.

FAQs on giving birth in your sleep

Q: Can women really give birth in their sleep?

Yes, there are documented cases, although rare, where women have given birth while asleep. The phenomenon has intrigued birth professionals and sparked discussions about the power of the human body and the potential for a more peaceful and pain-free childbirth experience.

Q: What is the historical perspective on giving birth in one’s sleep?

The idea of giving birth while asleep is not new and dates back to the late 19th century. Historical accounts, such as those documented by Dr. W. Playfair in 1880, describe instances where labor began during sleep, and babies were born without the mothers waking up.

Q: How did Dr. Grantly Dick Read contribute to the understanding of natural childbirth and the possibility of giving birth in one’s sleep?

Dr. Grantly Dick Read, a renowned obstetrician from the early 20th century, revolutionized the perception and experience of childbirth. He believed that fear, pain, and tension were introduced by societal influences and medical interventions, hindering the natural birthing process. Dr. Read advocated for natural childbirth as a means to alleviate these discomforts and emphasized the importance of relaxation.

Q: What are the three evils identified by Dr. Grantly Dick Read that hinder the natural birthing process?

The three evils are fear, pain, and tension. Dr. Read believed that these elements were not inherent to the design of childbirth but were introduced by societal influences and medical interventions, leading to increased pain during labor.

Q: What factors did Dr. Grantly Dick Read outline that can intensify sensations of pain during labor, and how can they be addressed?

Dr. Read outlined factors such as low iron levels, tiredness, weariness of mind, depression and disappointment, loss of control, racing fearful thoughts, auto-suggestion, and suggestion. Addressing these factors involves measures like improving iron uptake, combating fatigue through rest and nutrition, seeking emotional support, creating a comfortable environment, and using relaxation techniques.

Q: How does Dr. Michel Odent contribute to the discussion of altered awareness in birth?

Q: What potential does the concept of giving birth in your sleep offer for a childbirth experience?

The concept raises fascinating possibilities for a more peaceful and pain-free childbirth experience. While not feasible for every woman, creating a calm and supportive birthing environment may allow women to tap into their body’s innate wisdom and give birth without the interference of fear, tension, and pain.

Q: Is giving birth in your sleep a common occurrence?

No, it is not a common occurrence. While there are documented cases, it remains a rare phenomenon that has intrigued birth professionals and women interested in exploring alternative and natural birthing experiences.

Q: What steps can women take to create a birthing environment that promotes relaxation, trust, and surrender?

Creating a birthing environment that promotes relaxation involves addressing factors that intensify sensations of pain during labor, embracing altered awareness, seeking emotional support, and ensuring an undisturbed atmosphere. By doing so, women have the opportunity to experience a more peaceful and empowering birth.

Q: Can altered awareness during childbirth contribute to a more natural and gentle childbirth experience?

Yes, embracing altered awareness during childbirth, as advocated by Dr. Michel Odent, holds the potential for a more natural and gentle childbirth experience. By respecting the mother’s altered state of consciousness and creating an undisturbed environment, both the mother and baby can fully adapt to their new life outside the womb.

A version of this story was originally published on Feb. 28, 2021. It has been updated.