Picture/ Image for labour

[alton]

I was thinking that I might hang some birth affirmations, thoughts and images around the room that I plan to birth in. I'm having trouble finding pictures that I can relate to. I want something empowering, something that says "birthing goddess". Did anyone else here use pictures for meditation/motivation in labour - or plan to?

[bethanyclaire]

I'm planning on it. I have a few images that I like... most are Goddess related. One is a greeting card with a beautiful Earth Mother image on it, it is gorgeous!

I also had a custom one made for me earlier during this pregnancy. A photographer that I work with a lot specializes in a really cool photo technique where he puts a full scene around you that he half draws and half computer generates. I wanted to be kneeling in the woods with a wolf on one side of me and a lioness on the other. They are kind of "my" animals and represent strength, protection and guidance for me. Anyway, he finished the image and it is really spectacular!! I am so happy with how it turned out. I plan on using it to help ground me a bit during labor if I feel overwhelmed or tired.

[Carson]

I know this is probably a lot more concrete than what you are looking for, but I loved these images from our birthing class. I find them very reassuring, especially #6 - i see it and say to myself, 'see that baby will fit just fine!' I also like time lapse photography of flowers opening.

[Astraia]

This is the one that came to mind for me when I read your post:

http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgur...a%3DN%26um%3D1

Errr.... I don't know how to shorten that to a fun link like, "here!" Hopefully you can figure it out.

[Cartesia]

Did you try going to google images and type in "birth" "goddess", stuff like that?

That's how I find mine. Also perhaps try "sheila na gig", those are traditional irish birthing images

OR - perhaps try to make your own! If you can get a copy of "Birthing from Within" there is a lot about birth art & I found that making my own images was wonderful.

[alton]

Thanks for your replies, it's really interesting to know what works for other people.
bethanyclaire - your photographer sounds amazing. I love the idea of your symbolic animals. It has got me thinking a bit more outside the box about what non-birth images I find empowering. Thanks!

Carson - Love the idea of flowers opening! Again, I need to think about symbolism as well as concrete pictures. Thanks

Astraia - That is just amazing! I'm starting to think about creating some images of my own. it's been a long time since I let my artistic side out.

Cartesia - I find the Sheila na Gig images a little disturbing - they look too much like goblins to me. Though the very graphic nature of them appeals for the occasion. My poor husband won't know where to look though I haven't had much success on google yet so maybe the way to go is to create something myself. I'll check out that book thanks!

[pdx mama]

labor images

I'm due a week from today, and I've printed out a couple of images for the big day, both from Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.

The first is something I had to scan, so I don't have a link for you, but it's on page 162 in the chapter called "The Pain/Pleasure Riddle." It's a woman named Terese looking awesome and smiling ecstatically, completely blissed out, as her baby's head is crowning. This image makes me happy every time I look at it, and makes me think of Grantley Dick-Read's observations about being in the presence of a person giving birth ("Such an aura of beauty filled the whole atmostphere of the room...Such superhuman loveliness").

The second image is a sheela-na-gig, the figure found in medieval UK and other parts of Europe. I find this image powerful but also comfortingly funny:

http://www.musicheaven.gr/html/modul...1195046894.jpg

I was half-joking with my husband that my mantra during labor---accompanied by this image of sheela-na-gig---will be, "I will open wide. I will be huge! LOOK OUT!!!"

[Mrs.aLifeofReilly]

I love this artist's work - but this is one of my favorites

http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction...on_id=17034147