Because sometimes words, spoken or thought, have the power to carry us through one contraction after another, and even childbirth itself, positive birth affirmations truly can play an inspiring and invaluable role during labor and delivery.

After my first labor, I realized the importance that encouraging words had played in helping me to cope and stay focused during birth. Bringing me “into” myself, they allowed me to let go of tension and fear, and to just let the amazing birthing process occur…

..What wonder!..

When it was time to prepare for my second labor, I remembered and noted the words and phrases that had made a difference for me during my first labor, and I also sat down to find some other words that seemed meaningful and might help me get by, this second time around.

Here are some of the encouraging, empowering, or just plain and simple words that I thought or heard during my two labors, and that gave me strength.

#1: THIS PAIN IS SO POWERFUL, BUT I CAN HANDLE IT

Telling myself that I could handle it… helped me to handle it! Kind of like an auto-suggestion to convince myself of my capacities, I find this affirmation is similar to one I discovered recently, the: “You can do anything for 1 minute” birth affirmation… so true! I was unfortunately unaware of this one before the time came, as I am sure it could have come in handy. 🙂

#2: I ACCEPT THIS PAIN TO WELCOME MY BABY INTO THE WORLD



Giving meaning to the pain helped me to make sense out of the intensity of the contractions, which could at times seem overwhelming. For example, as we drove to the birthing center, my contractions were getting to be quite strong. At one point, we passed by my son’s daycare, which led me to see his beautiful face in my mind, and say to myself : “This is what this is for”.

#3: ONE CONTRACTION AT A TIME, AND AT THE END OF ALL THIS, I’LL HAVE MY LITTLE PEANUT



This phrase was emailed to me by my friend in the week preceding my second delivery. It somehow stuck in my head, and made so much sense during my labor, and was the one phrase that helped me through the few contractions while my partner ran downstairs to drop our son off with the neighbors.

On an uber cute note, here is the most adorable post with dozens of variations on the theme of the cutiepie nicknames we give to our little balls of treasure love..worth the read! 😉

www.littleheartsbooks.com/2012/10/19/300-nicknames-for-your-babykins-doodlebug-snugglebunny/

#4: ” … “

Sometimes silence, with no words or thoughts is what we need to create that deep connection with what is occurring now, in the present moment, and in the case of childbirth, to the infinitely wonderous event that is taking place, as our body labors and opens to give birth to our baby.

You can even ask those around you to encourage you to stay in your “bubble”.

#5: I AM DOING A FANTASTIC JOB

Labor can feel like an Olympic Marathon. We need encouragements! I never imagined they could be so welcome until the surge of strength I experienced when support staff cheered me on.

..can be replaced that with “Wonderful” or “Amazing”, or whatever fits for you..

These encouragements can also come from your partner, or the people accompanying you.

#6: HERE COMES ANOTHER WAVE, I CAN RIDE IT.



Being aware of the passing nature of the contraction helped me cope with one at a time. Knowing that although so intense, these waves rise and fall, they come and go, they rise and fall, they come and go..

#7: EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL

During my first labor, the contractions felt so powerful and painful, and I realized after some time, that I was scared..that it could not be “normal” that it hurt this much. When I was finally told by my midwife that I was doing a good job and that everything was going well, this changed my frame of mind. And I know that my body heard the message. I started to labor more freely, more intuitively, and with more trust!

#8: YES

I mention this story a few times in other posts, as it was a truly pivotal moment during my first labor. Simply resumed, during my first labor, the ongoing pain of the contractions was such that I began me to greet every new surge with a “No.. no, no no…” At this point, my midwife gently proposed “See if you can say yes, instead”. Although not what I felt like saying, I did, and my body received the message and began “opening” and letting go, and labor progressed.

#9: MY PELVIS IS RELEASING AND OPENING

..my pelvis is releasing and opening to let my baby come through the passage.. These words, so simply in tune and anchored in the present moment and physical body, again, were some of the words that made such sense as I experienced childbirth.

#10: I CAN BREATHE THROUGH THIS CONTRACTION

It sometimes felt like I just couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to cope with another contraction. Knowing, being confident that I could breathe through one more, and again one more, was a powerful coping mechanism for me. I practiced these belly breathing exercises throughout pregnancy in preparation for labor.

#11: I RELAX AND RELEASE MY BODY, AS BEST I CAN



Something prenatal yoga helps with so much, the ability to relax and release what we can, even with feelings of pain within the body. It is often also said during labor, relaxed jaw, relaxed cervix. (Relaxing the region of the mouth actually has the effect of relaxing the rest of the body).

#12: I AM SO CONNECTED TO LIFE RIGHT NOW

This may sound unbelievable, but I remember the pain of labor with fondness, as something blissful, as it was preparing me to meet with my babies. The incredible list of labor hormones has something to do with this, of course ;), as the sensations going through my body in such in an intense way, was like being directly plugged into life itself.

If you have a planned c-section, or are interested in birth affirmations for any birth, I found these ones posted by Beautiful In His Time and made by Kaya Edwards, birth doula very beautiful and soothing.

personal birth aff

Are you wondering about birth preparation?



I’ve put together a Birth Preparation eBook with the resources and exercises that were the most useful in both of my birthing experiences in helping me to prepare for labor in view of natural childbirth. (Note: this is a pay what you want e-book, which means you choose your price)

INCLUDES:

• 25 Ways to Prepare for Labor Physically and Mentally

• Pain Management Techniques

• Relaxation Exercises

• Mental Preparation Tips



+ ADDED SECTIONS:

• 5 Breathing Exercises

• 6 Kegel Exercises

• Perineum Massage 10-step Guide

• Good Posture 10 Tips Checklist

• 11 Printable Birth Affirmations

• Sample Week Schedule

• Birth Ritual Ideas

Hi! I’m Myriam, a former dancer turned yoga teacher based in Montreal. I’m also mama to two unbearably beautiful little ones. I believe in the virtues of bringing breath and body awareness as well as humor and loving-kindness to new mamas, and mamas-to-be. Read more→





