Dr. Akira Matsunaga
Founder of the Japan Sophrology Association
Introduction to Sophrologic Delivery
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Sophrology is the method which allows the mother to obtain a stabilized
mind and body through both mental and physical training. The basic concept
of Sophrologic prenatal instruction is to accept naturally labor and delivery,
which is called "Sophro-acceptation".
The Sophrologic view of labor is different from traditional ideas. Both
the Lead and the Lamaze Methods (The Painless Delivery) try to obtain
an alleviate effect by shutting off the related pains which accompany labor.
To the contrary, in Sophrology, we consider labor pains as the most indispensable
energy in the process wherein mother is delivered of a baby, that is to
say, on the occasion of giving birth to her baby by her own effort. In
other words, the Sophrologic idea is to grasp the labor, not as pains,
but as a positive joy.
The mother should have the self-awareness of "A Carrier of a New Life". She
will practice Image-training in Sophro-liminal state of consciousness in
order not to alleviate the pains but overcome them. At the time of the childbirth, she will be surprised at the effectiveness of
the image-training that she has practiced. This is the reason why Sophrology
is called an Over-Pain Delivery.
The aim of Sophrologic delivery consists not only in overcoming labor pains
but also in realizing that the delivery process is a fulfilling part of
a woman's life, which links pregnancy, childbirth and infant rearing. This
important experience of life, that is, an emotional childbirth by a self-controlling
delivery which is concluded by an impressive bonding after overcoming labor
pains, will help a woman to develop more positive thinking for future difficulties.
In Sophrologic training the oriental Zazen, which is to sit in contemplation,
as well as methods of Yoga are incorporated.
In the Sophro-liminal state of mind the mother takes charge of the delivery
by a combination of the repetition of both mental and physical training,
the relaxation of muscles, and proper breathing methods. Through the delivery
the woman can make the interaction between mother and child result in the strongest
of 'bonds'.
It is not necessary that the mother learns by heart this prenatal instruction.
It is enough for her (with our help) to grasp a basic comprehension.
A nurse or nurse-midwife who has mastered Sophrology will always follow the patient in the last stage of childbirth when she is in the delivery room.
Her task is to observe and assist to avoid any complications in the
process of delivery, but not to direct her. The course of an autonomous
delivery, such as a natural Sophrologic delivery, is controlled by the mother.
The only important point that she should be aware of is that she needs enough
training to accomplish the relaxation of muscles. Please let the woman master Sophrologic
Dynamic Relaxation Method before her delivery, by practicing at home the
Image-training guided by Terpnos-Logos.
The Japan Sophrology Association hopes that this exciting delivery will
become the most meaningful and lastingly engraved memory of a woman's life.
