Affirmations are positive statements that can help you to challenge and overcome negative thoughts.
When you repeat them often, and believe in them, you can start to make changes in how you previously thought about a particular subject, situation, or personal trait or experience.
Self-affirmation may also help to mitigate the effects of stress.
Given that the amount of information regarding natural birth in the media that surrounds us is tiny in comparison to a medicalised birth, it can be really beneficial to have another tool in the toolbox to help you to experience a positive birth.
Here are some examples that my fabulous teacher Melissa, shared with us during our prenatal yoga teacher training at the Elbowroom.
Find a quiet spot and read them. See which one really stands out for you, why not write them down and pack them in your bag for hospital and have them around the house.
My mind and body can handle a labor of any kind
I will have a strong and healthy baby
I trust my body to know how to birth this child
I trust my instincts to know what I need in labour
I trust my instincts to do what is best for my baby
My body is beautiful, capable and strong
Only I can give birth to this baby and I accept responsibility for that challenge
My body knows how to birth our baby
Trust my instincts
It’s our baby, my body, our birth, and not the caregivers
Babies are born on their birthdays, not when doctors decide
My body is beautifully and wonderfully made
I deserve to have the birth I desire
I am now willing to experience all my feelings
My pelvis releases and opens, as have those of countless women before me
I feel the love of others around me
My baby knows all is well
I am strong, confident, assured and assertive
Good strong contractions help my baby come into the world
I embrace the concept of healthy pain
I have enough love to go around, the universe always provides
My body contains all the knowledge necessary to give birth to my baby
My baby knows how and when to be born
Birth is a safe and wonderful experience
My body is nourishing my baby
I am the product of millions of years of SUCCESSFUL childbirth
My body knows how to have this baby, just as your body knew how to grow this baby
I put all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby
I am relaxed and happy that my baby is finally coming to me
I am focused on a smooth, easy birth
I trust my body to know what it is to do
My mind is relaxed; my body is relaxed
I feel confident; I feel safe; I feel secure
My muscles work in complete harmony to make birthing easier
My cervix opens outward and allows my baby to ease down
I see my baby coming smoothly from my womb
My baby’s birth will be easy because I am so relaxed
I feel my body gently sway with relaxation
My baby moves gently along in its journey
Each surge of my body brings my baby closer to me
I meet each surge only with my breath; my body is at ease
Imagine a mother in you….
If any of these really work for you, or you have a particular emotional connection to some of them, pratice them. Find a quiet spot and connect to your breath. Visualise the letters. See how you feel as you say the words to your self or out loud.
I hope that they are useful.
If you need more support in your pregnancy join me for a prenatal yoga course. I teach every Thursday evening at 7.45pm
You can book a course of six classes here: