Birthing and affirmations...

Affirmations, mantras, and visualizations. These words are often peppered into conversations tied to labour & birth, but what use are they really? Is it all fluff? What are the differences?

When working with birthing families, I find that they can all be so helpful, aid in grounding and can tether you into your own strength. I tend to recommend affirmations for those last few hard weeks of pregnancy, as a visual / written meditation of what you hope your birth journey to be. They can help centre your thoughts to one place, give you something to focus on and help gain some perspective on what is coming. I include some birth affirmations in my package’s resources. Here are some teasers for you all!

A tagline or mantra and visualizations are most helpful in the throws of labour. An anchor and tool to help you in the hardest moments, in the biggest and longest contractions. I find something short and simple for you and your birthing team to repeat is most helpful. I have heard many in my years of being a Doula; from soothing, to powerful and comical. My favourites are: “open”, “I can”, and the simplest I have heard by far is “OK”. Paired with visualization, these can be great coping tools for the intensity of active labour and beyond. A wave, a flower / plant opening and closing, your uterus muscles contracting and loosening are all common visuals for the ebb and flow of contractions rising and releasing. 

These tools are most beneficial if practised during pregnancy, so taking stock of what feels right for you and implementing it during moments of hardship, frustration, Braxton Hicks and overwhelming thoughts is great to practise. Keep in mind that for some people, you don’t even know what may work for you until the moments in labour present themselves. So don’t pressure yourself into choosing, or practising too much. 
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Best of luck during your birthing journey, and enjoy finding the power of affirmation!