My goal with these blog posts is to create a resource for mommas who are planning a pregnancy or birth and find a lot of insight through the Enneagram. This is just one tool in your toolbox when preparing for birth but I hope it’s an eye-opening one!

So, let’s dive in! Below is a description of the Enneagram Type Six as defined by The Enneagram Institute. After that, I have included some stories from women who are type sixes and have given birth. At the end of the post, I’ve shared a few insights and “homework” for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section!

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6: THE LOYALIST

“The committed, security-oriented type. Sixes are reliable, hard-working, responsible, and trustworthy. Excellent “troubleshooters,” they foresee problems and foster cooperation, but can also become defensive, evasive, and anxious—running on stress while complaining about it. They can be cautious and indecisive, but also reactive, defiant and rebellious. They typically have problems with self-doubt and suspicion. At their Best: internally stable and self-reliant, courageously championing themselves and others.”

Ann’s Experience:

“I tend to live on the anxious and worried side of life. The “what if” “What could go wrong, will go wrong”. I make plans, then back up plans, then the back up plans to back up plans. I’m typically over prepared. So regarding my birth plan, I was reading everything I could. I attended birth classes. I read some more. I wrote out my birth plan for the birth center and if that failed, I had a birth plan for the hospital. Overall, my life consists of lots of planning so that I can be prepared for if things don’t go as planned.

I wanted a natural birth with my first and ended up getting an epidural. Having my second, it was like my internal voice kept telling me, “Why try this again? Your plan is going to fail. It failed last time.” So I was always nervous and anxious about birth. Both times. Plus I love to feel secure and safe. My hospital birth, I felt FAR FROM secure and safe and I think that really hindered my birth. My birth center birth, I felt a lot more security and therefore had a better experience.”

Rachel’s Experience:

“I analyze the risks in everything…I feel like that helps keep me safe. I’m not necessarily a high anxiety person…being a 6 doesn’t always stress me out. I just like to be prepared for what I’m walking in to.

Honestly, my first two births, I followed doctors blindly. I trusted every word they spoke and didn’t do too much research on my own aside from reading ‘What to Expect When You’re Expecting.’ Every time they talked me into epidurals that failed me and didn’t allow me the ability to relax and have a good birth experience. With #3 I decided it had to be different. My enneagram type definitely started to shine through more. I researched all that could go wrong and ways to avoid those things. I was prepared for how to deal with the pain naturally and I felt safe (and in control) the entire birth process. Birth is a huge thing and I think having safety in mind as well as being in control is necessary.

Sometimes as a six one of the ways I deal with loss of control is to just completely throw my hands up and give up. It definitely would have been better if I had a better support team…a doula would have helped a ton!”

INSIGHTS:

• Sixes desire to feel safe and secure. Feeling unsafe could negatively affect your birth and potentially stall labor.
• Sixes are loyal. If you believe that you can give birth in a certain way, you will be loyal to that belief and not waver from it.
• Don’t mistake feeling safe for being uninformed. You may think that following your OB or Midwife blindly is the safest thing to do, but you’ll feel much better if you are informed and understand the choices you are making in birth.
• As a six, you may be entering into birth carrying a lot of fear. Make sure you try to work through that during your pregnancy.

HOMEWORK:

• Take a good, hard look at what you’re afraid of or worried about when it comes to your birth. If you go into labor with a lot of fear, your body may not be able to relax and open up as needed to birth your baby.
• Talk to your birth team about your fears. Make sure everyone is on the same page so they can remind you that you are safe during labor.
• Make sure the place you are planning to give birth is a place that makes you feel safe. If it isn’t, consider switching birth locations or care providers. It’s never too late to make a decision that will make you feel more secure.

Are you an Enneagram Six? If so, I’d love to hear if this resonated with you or if you have additional questions – let me know in the comments below!