Episode 5: How to Use Affirmations for Pregnancy and Birth

After Kelsey, Rori, and I discussed affirmations and visualizations in episode four, I wanted to have a mini-episode on how to use affirmations and visualizations. Here’s a breakdown of the episode:

What are affirmations and visualizations?

• They are ways to rewire your brain.

• With affirmations, you speak aloud phrases of how you want to feel or things that you want to believe.

• When you use visualizations, you imagine your pregnancy or birth or postpartum.

How can you use affirmations and visualizations?

• You can write affirmations and place them in places that you see frequently, like near your bed, your bathroom mirror, or your fridge. You can also print pictures that represent your affirmations. Then, you read them aloud.

• For visualizations, spend time imagining how you want your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum to be. Each day, dedicate time and walk through that visualization.

• You can journal as if your birth or postpartum has already happened and write about how you want to feel.

What are some affirmations for birth?

• I trust my body

• I was made to do this

• I am strong

• I’m prepared for wherever my birth goes

• I am making informed decisions

• I’m the best parent for my baby

• I quiet my mind and let my body give birth 

• Each surge brings me closer to my baby

What are affirmations for postpartum?

• I am taking it day by day. 

• It will get easier over time

• Each day, I only need to nourish myself and my baby

• I’m doing my best

• This is hard work, and I deserve rest 

• My baby and I are learning together. 

• It takes time to learn how to care for a baby

• My baby and I are both new to this

• A strong parent asks for and accepts help 

How can you lay the foundation for an empowered birth?

First, take a comprehensive childbirth education class that helps you create your birth vision. Second, make sure that your care provider is the right fit for you.

What comfort measures can make your birth enjoyable?

• Hands-on massage with oils

• Aromatherapy and essential oils

• Trying different labor positions and maintaining movement

• Affirmations (placed around the space or spoken)

• Breathing techniques

• Grounding techniques

• Hydrotherapy (shower or bath)

I hope you enjoy this mini-episode! Be sure to subscribe and share with a friend!