When I think or see a birthing woman, I see the power she holds and the warrior that she is. Women have been giving birth for centuries in so many different situations, circumstances, and environments and each one is beautiful in it's own unique way.
Since COVID-19 and all of the weird crap that has come along with it...the birth world has changed. My heart goes out to you women who are about to give birth. Your original plan has maybe changed and you might be feeling anxious, nervous or down-right scared.
THIS IS NORMAL! THIS IS COMPLETELY NORMAL!
These feelings are normal under any circumstance, regardless of everything else going on in the world right now.
I encourage you to grieve the birth that you originally dreamt of, so you can NOW create a place for something different. Truly let yourself feel the loss of what you had pictured initially. They always say birth is unpredictable and it really is. The more you let yourself come to the present moment the more you can come away from your birth experience feeling empowered and at peace with the unknown.
Now create space for your power within.
THE POWER OF YOUR MIND
Our minds can be our best friend or our worst enemy. You hold the power to create a beautiful and calm space up there. Get rid of those negative thoughts, they are not serving you. Here are my favorite tools to help you get into the right mindset.
Affirmations- Hang up affirmations in your space and look at them daily. Choose ones that speak to you!
Meditations- Calm your mind and nervous system with meditations. There are so many free guided meditations online or YouTube.
Visualizations- Visualize the birth you want and fill your mind with positive birth stories or watch videos.
THE POWER OF YOUR BREATH
Our breath is so VERY powerful, especially during labor. Concentrating on your breath during labor actually calms you and helps you focus on one thing during contractions. The more you let yourself ride the wave of each contraction, the more your body will release any tension and you will become more present. Practice breathing techniques while you are pregnant and find ones that resonate with you.
THE POWER OF YOUR CHOICE
This is your birth and your baby coming into this world. Ultimately you have the choice. Find a care provider that you trust and surround yourself with people that are supportive and helpful. I always like to remind my clients to use B.R.A.I.N. (see below). Most importantly listen to your motherly intuition, there is no greater power.
You have got this mama and you have all the power inside of you! And what an amazing story you will be able to share with your child when they are older.
All my love mama!