positive labor affirmations!

[christinespurlock]

Okay we're now standing at the doorway of this transition weeks (or days, hours?) away from labor. Let's put together some poitive affirmations to keep us centered during labor.

Here's what I can remember reading,

Labor is not something I want to get over with, it's something I want to walk through.

Labor is not more powerful than me, because it is me.

Let's get this list going.

[JennaW]

Thank you for starting this! I know this might not be useful for everyone but one that I have been focusing on:

My body is perfectly designed by God to deliver my baby naturally.

[KerriAZ]

I can do this - in my own way, in my own time and no one can tell me how to deliver my child!!

I am the one who knows what's best for me and my baby!

[SeekingSerenity]

Each time I was in labor, I found myself concentrating on how much longer it would be... but with Baby #4, my MW assured me I was thinking about it backwards.

Think instead about how much you've already done. Each contraction that you breathe through is one that is behind you, it's done, it's over and never to return. Don't concentrate on the next one, but on releasing the one that is just past. Think through each one of what it is accomplishing for you and how it is delivering you one step closer to your child.

[KerriAZ]

Originally Posted by SeekingSerenity

Think instead about how much you've already done. Each contraction that you breathe through is one that is behind you, it's done, it's over and never to return. Don't concentrate on the next one, but on releasing the one that is just past. Think through each one of what it is accomplishing for you and how it is delivering you one step closer to your child.

Wonderful way to think! I'm, for sure, going to use this one this time around! Thank you so much!!

[ekblad9]

After I had my first homebirth and delivered a 10lb baby face up I felt so strong. Like the dr's had convinced me all this time that I couldn't do any of it *alone*. Well, I did do it. Of course my m/w's were there as was dh but *I* did it. I felt like a million dollars. So, I don't know that I have any sayings that are helpful but just knowing that WE are in control even if the nurses push epi's so that we can quiet down or feel in control. I hope you can all have the birth experiences that you are dreaming of!

[Snugglebugsmom]

:

[desilou]

for most contractions:
it's only one minute, i can do anything for one minute

for relaxations:
my baby (inhale) is healthy and perfect (exhale)

[Lorette]

"Remember not to do too much.
The same loving, intelligent consciousness that knows how to grow an egg and sperm into a human being, knows how to get it out. Nature, God is efficient. It completes the process-- if we let it.
Our job is simply to relax and allow our bodies to work the way we were designed."


More than a simple affirmation, but I really like it.
It's a quote from the book "Journey into Motherhood".

Lorette

[catnap70]

Originally Posted by SeekingSerenity

Think through each one of what it is accomplishing for you and how it is delivering you one step closer to your child.

Yes! Also, in her books Ina May Gaskin calls contractions "rushes" which might be a little goofy, but it does change the language of "contraction" to something more positive. I like to think of it as a "progression" or something like that. I also like focusing on a healthy baby and healthy birth. That has been my mantra the last few weeks.

[pazerific]

"head down, arms down."

dd was born with a funky compound presentation, so i've been telling this babe and my body "head down, arms down" for months now.

SeekingSerenity--the whole "that one's gone. let it go." is one of the things my MW used with me while having dd. the other moment that was just so amazingly powerful was when the ctx were getting really intense, my MW just caught my eye and said, "kelly, you're having a baby." i got so lost in labor, i think i just forgot about the end product.

[peachymomma]

I can do this, I will get through it, I will be holding my sweet baby soon.

Come down baby, come out baby, mama wants to hold you.

OOOOOPPPPPEEENNN.......OOOOOOOPPPPPEEEENNNN like a flower LOL!!!

[christinespurlock]

This thread is coming along nicely! I hope to read this again at the start of labor!

Lorette...I love the whole I just need to relax thoughts.

seekingserenity..I also love thinking that the contraction is behind you, and you won't have to repeat that one.

This is great! I'm calling them rushes too.

[Ligeia]

What a cool thread! What helped me was imagining a forest during a wind storm. A tree that resists too much will crack and splinter and even fall over. But the trees that give, just sway in the wind and get through it unbattered and clean.

[prairieo]

yep, I'm all for surrendering to and going with the energy of what's happening. Not resisting, not avoiding...but going with.

I remember something someone told me when I was pushing with my first. she said:

"there are thousands of women in line behind you...you mother, grandmothers, ancestors who passed through this rite successfully. And there are thousands in front who will again. If you pay attention, they are all here with you to help you and guide you."

I really like that one.

[peachymomma]

Originally Posted by prairieo

yep, I'm all for surrendering to and going with the energy of what's happening. Not resisting, not avoiding...but going with.

I remember something someone told me when I was pushing with my first. she said:

"there are thousands of women in line behind you...you mother, grandmothers, ancestors who passed through this rite successfully. And there are thousands in front who will again. If you pay attention, they are all here with you to help you and guide you."

I really like that one.

I think of this frequently when I get nervous about labor. It really helps me out!

[huskermommy]

I think of ctx or rushes as a cresting wave. I don't know, it seemed to help!

I also thought about my cervix as a flower blooming and squatted during almost every ctx.

I talk to baby about how we're going to have an easy peasy labor . It seemed to work w/ds.

I like to have calming music in the background like the sound of the ocean or wind or rain w/light soft music. I have a cd that is perfect. Another thing I liked was my tibetan monk cd of chants. It was so calming.

I love all the great ideas on here!

[bluebirdmama]

Originally Posted by prairieo

I remember something someone told me when I was pushing with my first. she said:

"there are thousands of women in line behind you...you mother, grandmothers, ancestors who passed through this rite successfully. And there are thousands in front who will again. If you pay attention, they are all here with you to help you and guide you."

Similarly, there are something like 300,000 women laboring around the world on any given day. Think of them laboring with you.

[christinespurlock]

Originally Posted by Ligeia

What a cool thread! What helped me was imagining a forest during a wind storm. A tree that resists too much will crack and splinter and even fall over. But the trees that give, just sway in the wind and get through it unbattered and clean.

I love this thought. I love it so much I told my midwives today to remind me of this during labor! Thanks.

[MamaDee4]

Thinking of going with the flow, here.....

I remember hearing one of the nurses say to "relax" during a contraction. Baby three, I think. I was thinking, "right, lady...relax my ******!"

Then my wonderful doula read my face and said "you don't have to relax.......just MELT" That really clicked for me. I could NOT relax my arms, legs, neck, etc. But I could let them "melt" and go with that sensation. I don't know exactly why, but that worked wonders for me.

Dee