Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, Vol 43(1), Feb 2023, 16-30; doi:10.1037/teo0000214
Awe is a complex experience usually followed by various physiological, psychological, and social benefits, thus improving well-being. This theoretical article highlights a, yet unexploited naturally occurring potential for facilitating and promoting well-being: experiencing awe during physiological birth. The key is to enter into “birthing consciousness,” a unique psychophysical altered state of women that often occurs during physiological birth, similar to other altered states of consciousness triggered by reduced prefrontal cortex function. This state supports a healthy birth and positive postpartum mental health. Birthing is a novel example of a natural and intense awe experience combining all three types of generators of awe: physical, social, and cognitive. Thus, in addition to the particular benefits for women and their offspring, this novel example of experiencing awe in birthing, may serve in future studies to address more complex dimensions of the phenomenon of awe in promoting well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)