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	body & soul higher ground

My Baby Knows

Remember that your due date is just an estimate. Nine months is an average. Each baby has her own length of gestation. Try to set a range rather than a date as the time to expect the baby. Instead of “The baby is due on December 20th,” say, “The baby is due in late December.” Add a couple of weeks to your due date so you can relax and not be inundated by well-meaning phone calls toward the end of your pregnancy.

Here’s a visualization exercise you can use if you’re worried about the due date of your baby.

Find a place where you can sit quietly for 15 to 30 minutes. Take a few deep breaths and bring your attention to your breathing. Place your hands on your abdomen as you slow your breathing by letting your breaths get longer and longer.

Begin to imagine your baby. Silently say to yourself:

My body has everything my baby needs.
My body knows how to give birth.
My baby knows when to be born.

Repeat these phrases a few times as you breathe deeply with your hands on your abdomen. Turn them into a song if you like.

Finish with a few moments of silent breathing.