Birth Affirmation Video

What a find this is!! A midwife by the name of Jessica at Indigo Birth created this video of birth affirmations. Thank you!!

I must not fear

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

...And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

~Frank Herbert, Dune

This caught my attention the other day and really got me thinking about how I am personally dealing with fear. Fear that I am not the best wife, mother, sister, friend. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the known. I did not realize how much I have let fear into my life. Fear can be the cause of anger, withdrawal, procrastination, worry, uneasiness, low self esteem. 
I will choose to not let fear control me. 
How is fear affecting you and your life?

What do you want most?

Success is the sum of small efforts

A bird creates a nest twig by twig.  What do we do as expectant parents to prepare for the birth of our little ones? We shape and weave our nest through education and the practice of relaxation techniques. 

Once our little ones are in our arms, success of breastfeeding is also the compilation of small efforts of preparation and then patience and dedication.  

Feel free to print and share this little artwork that I created! 

Woman Centered Birth

Thank you to Heather McCue of Island Childbirth for summing up our abilities to bring our children into this world. I created this artwork so feel free to print and share.

I will thrive not just survive

This is my mother mantra for the week. Sometimes I find myself just going through the schedule of the day- existing but maybe not living.  Thriving to me is not just a set of work or homemaking goals though. I want to enjoy the fun moments with my children, not just create them and then watch.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style”

― Maya Angelou

I created this so feel free to print and share!

Worth the work

The work begins long before the first labor surge. Emotionally prepare by learning what your body does during labor and how you can make the most of it. Physically prepare by practicing labor positions and breathing techniques. It will be worth it-I promise!

Deep breath, and let it go

I found this over at chphotographics.  I love her fun chalkboard art!

I am never alone

 I found a beautiful positive affirmations printable over at Amber Maybe just for us girls.  I love the message and flow of this. Please do not print or pin it from here though! The picture is a link to the blog post where she shares it.

Amber Maybe Creation  <--- link="">

Yes You Can

Labor is an Important Job

The helpful ladies at your Doula Bag are at it again with this great inspirational art.  Be sure to bop on over to their site for some wonderful products for mom and little baby! I like their postpartum herb bath. After a hard day of birth work you deserve it! (the pic is a link to their site)

yourdoulabag.com » Labor as an Important Job

Be Not Afraid, Only Believe- Bitsy Creations

A Bitsy Creations artwork. Can tell who is their newest and biggest fan? ME!!  This comes in 8 other colors!
This simple passage could easily become a mantra for a laboring mama. While in labor, comfort can be found by practicing the Three R's as taught by Penny Simkin- Relax, Rhythm, and Ritual. Repeating simply, Believe, is an example of a ritual. The three R's usually occur naturally during labor but with practice they can bring monumental strength and peace.  Before labor find quotes and affirmations that speak to you and read and repeat them many times.  If there is art work that goes with it, close your eyes and picture it in your mind. Maybe visualize yourself acting out or being a part of the affirmation.  This can be done anytime during the day.  Some moms enjoy devoting a few minutes in the quiet of the morning or in the evening as they practice relaxing and letting go of the day. Be sure to share with your partner what brings you comfort so that they can remind you as you labor. Ask me about my personal, kinda funny, experience with this and the birth of our daughter Elle!

Release your Burdens and Look up to the Lord- Bitsy Creations

Bitsy Creations is always serving up the best positive thinking art work! To down load this free faith based picture visit Bitsy Creations! I use this daily as a mom and wife- my new mantra, Release and Look up!! Something that I like about this is that when we literately look up our shoulders go back.  For me it is almost like I am shaking off all of the things that I have been carrying around. Shake those worries, problems and burdens off!  :)

 

In the Hands of God

I love this faith based affirmation.  It was created by the talented company Bitsy Creations. Knowing that we are being cared for and watched over as mothers by our God can bring us so much comfort and strength! This is a free down load available over at Bitsy Creations.

Reducing fear of birth in U.S. culture: Ina May Gaskin at TEDxSacramento

breathe

I am having way too much fun over at PicMonkey creating affirmations .  I am not crazy about this one but I have no idea when I will get another chance to try it again. Till then, this one will have to do...

The reason that I was so excited to make this one is because of the buttons.  As labor progresses we find ways to slow and control our breathing, think old days Lamaze. While it is not so much about the he-he-he or the ha-ha-ha breath pattern, it is more about finding what breathing technique works for you. One possibility is slowly breathing out as if to blow gently at the button on the shirt of your support person.

We used to always hear, "Bring a focal point" for your labor. What is now being shared is find your focal point from your surroundings.  Often times it is an absent minded choice- whatever is in view as the surge begins. One story that I was told is that of a laboring woman who found her self focusing on a button of her husbands shirt. While during a contraction he went to move and his wife lost her focus and exclaimed, "Don't move!" He had no idea until the wave was over and she was able to explain.

So whether it is the shiny gloss paint on the wall in front of you or a swirl on your pillow case, it matters not. The purpose of the focus is to help center and anchor you. As in the case with the husband and the button on his shirt the focal point can become a birth ritual that is part of the three R's of comfort, Rhythm, Ritual and Relaxation. But that is another blog post... 

(PS- Ask me about my embarrassing story of the focal point I brought for the birth of my second child!) 

Love is why we are here

Learn how to surf

 

This is my first affirmation that I made over at PicMonkey! I chose this one because it meant a lot to me during my own personal labors. Some people imagine that each contraction is a wave that they float over. As a California girl I felt that I would "dive beneath" each contraction or wave. I could almost feel the waves washing over my back and the relief as I would pop out on "the other side" and give a cleansing breath. I love how affirmations can mean something different to each of us!