Imagine a Mother in You

I believe in the power of birth affirmations. Here are some of my favorites to use during your pregnancy...

• my mind and body can handle a labor of any kind
• i will have a strong and healthy baby
• i trust my body to know how to birth this child
• i trust my instincts to know what I need in labor
• i trust my instincts to do what is best for my baby
• i am a strong and capable woman
• only I can give birth to this baby and I accept responsibility for that challenge
• my body knows how to birth my baby
• i trust my instincts
• babies are born when they are ready, not when doctors, midwives or anyone decides
• my body is indeed beautifully and wonderfully made
• it's good for me to take care of myself; I get to have a voice
• i have to be truthful with myself
• i listen to my body and heart
• i deserve to have the birth I desire
• i trust my body
• i trust my pain
• i trust my labor
• i trust in my baby
• i am a strong and capable woman
• i am a powerful, loving and creative being
• i am now willing to experience all my feelings
• my pelvis releases and opens as have those of countless women before me
• i accept myself completely here and now
• i now feel inner peace and serenity
• i accept this labor as my labor and believe it is the right one for me and for my baby
• i love and accept my body completely
• i accept all my feelings as part of myself
• i feel the love of others around me
• my baby knows all is well
• my heart knows what my baby needs, my mind is learning
• i am a powerful, loving and creative being
• i accept myself completely here and now
• i now feel inner peace and serenity
• i accept all my feelings as part of myself
• good strong contractions help my baby come into the world
• i embrace the concept of healthy pain
• i have enough love to go around, the universe always provides
• i am strong, confidently assured, assertive and very feminine
• my body contains all the knowledge necessary to give birth to my baby
• my baby knows how and when to be born
• birth is a safe and wonderful experience
• my baby will be born healthy and at the perfect time

Comments

[Christina]

So, "Wow, this hurts" doesn't work?

[April]

I know you're making a joke, but in all seriousness, I think there is merit in acknowledging that for most women, birth is painful at times. For some it is more painful than they imagined, for others it is less. But for most, there are moments of -- like you said -- "Wow, this hurts." And that is ok.

Preparing for birth should not be about ignoring that aspect. Rather, to prepare, get to know yourself and learn/practice how you best handle stress and pain. Is it helpful for you to be talked through a painful moment, or do you prefer silence? Is it helpful to have counter-pressure, or is better without being touched?

What does your mind do when you're in pain? Holding your hands in ice water for 90 second intervals with a partner will tell you a lot about how you'll handle your longest, strongest contractions. This practice doesn't mimic birth pains exactly, but it will give you an idea of how your mind will react to prolonged discomfort. And then you can practice different coping techniques.

For me, it was helpful for me to think at times, "Wow, this hurts." It was about noticing and being present with the pain. What I avoided doing was allowing my mind to go into panic mode or a "why me?" mode. Sometimes my mind did go to a place of wanting to escape the pain and then I knew I needed to try a new position or have my partner do something else to help me cope with the pain.

Moaning through my contractions helped. Counter pressure on my hips helped. Rubbing my back helped. And what helped the very most was laboring in water.

What helped you?

[Lauren]

Thanks for visiting my blog. I added you to my resource blog list as well. :)