Before we begin,
Please make sure that you're in a warm and cozy room.
If it's night time,
Keep your room dimly lit and if it's daytime,
Try to shut out the daylight by closing your curtains and switch on a lamp to make your room more relaxing.
If you feel comfortable being still,
You can lie down in bed or on your sofa,
Semi-reclined on your left hand side,
Propped up with pillows.
Alternatively,
You could sit or lean over a birth ball or sit back to front on a dining room chair,
Resting your upper body over the backrest.
If you feel like you want to move,
Allow your body to guide you into positions that feel best for you.
If you need to press pause while you get positioned comfortably,
Please do so now.
When you're ready,
Please close your eyes.
Let's begin by focusing on your breathing.
Breathe in deeply and slowly through your nose for a count of four and out calmly through your mouth for a count of seven.
Do this at a pace that feels comfortable for you as you listen to the music in the background.
Continuing to breathe in through your nose for four and out through your mouth for seven.
Allow your forehead,
Jaw and shoulders to relax down.
And as you breathe,
Notice the rise and fall of your abdomen.
Letting lovely oxygen deep into your body and down to your baby.
Breathing out and relaxing your body more and more.
Now,
Just allow your breathing to go at its natural pace.
Letting go of any tension in your body as you breathe out,
Inviting relaxation into your arms,
Hands and fingers.
Allowing your back to completely loosen.
Relaxing your chest and your abdomen.
Allowing your pelvic area,
Hips and bottom to relax and soften.
Letting go of any tension in your legs,
Feet and toes.
Allowing them to feel heavy and completely comfortable.
Early labour is a time to conserve your energy for the more intense and powerful parts of labour later on.
This is a time to be slow,
Patient and peaceful.
Allow your early labour contractions to come and go with ease.
They may be coming and going every 10 to 15 minutes,
Or perhaps they are closer together.
Whatever your body is doing is perfect for you and your baby.
Your body is building up power from within and supporting you on this journey to meeting your beautiful baby.
As your contractions arrive,
Allow yourself to ride each one like a wave that rises and falls.
Knowing that each wave is natural,
Normal and necessary to the process of birth.
And each one is bringing you one step closer to holding your baby in your arms.
As you progress through early labour,
Your contractions or waves will get stronger and closer together.
All you need to do is let go and allow your uterus to naturally and instinctively do its job.
Then loosen and relax your body and breathe through the power of these sensations,
Smoothly riding the waves.
As you continue to rest your mind and body,
I'm going to guide you through a series of positive affirmations for early labour.
Allow these affirmations to increase feelings of calm and confidence within you.
You can simply listen to the affirmations or repeat them back to yourself in your mind after you hear each one.
I am focused on a smooth birth experience.
I am present and I go with the flow.
I feel confident,
I feel safe,
I feel relaxed.
I am surrounded by love and support.
I trust my baby and I trust my body.
I am so happy that my baby is finally coming.
I relax and release.
My baby will be born at the perfect time.
My body was made to do this.
My cervix opens with ease.
All the strength I need is within me.
My body and my baby are working together.
I welcome each wave in my womb.
My body is strong,
Healthy and capable.
My baby knows how to be born.
With each breath I relax more deeply.
I am calm,
My baby is calm.
I inhale deeply and easily.
I exhale slowly and gently.
My upper body is relaxed,
My lower body is relaxed.
I trust my birthing instincts.
I am guided by my body and my baby.
I move in harmony with my baby.
I trust my innate wisdom.
My body is capable of a smooth vaginal birth.
Now,
Please place your hands on your belly and stroke your baby bump.
You're going to be meeting your baby and holding them in your arms really soon.
And this is amazing.
I'm so excited for you and I hope that you feel excited too.
Your life is about to change in the most rewarding and happy way.
Spend some moments now talking to your baby out loud.
Tell them that they're safe and how much you love them.
And what else do you want to say to your baby?
Take some time now to speak loving words to your baby as you stroke your belly.
As you continue to progress through your labor,
You remember to stay hydrated.
And you eat little and often to keep your energy levels up.
You lean on your care team for support and communicate your needs and wishes with confidence.
You move into comfortable positions that feel right for you.
And you take each contraction one at a time.
Enjoy being present in this moment.
Trusting and believing in yourself.
Surrendering to the process of childbirth.
Knowing that you and your baby are safe and well.
And you can do this.
Remember all you have to do is relax.
Focusing on your breathing.
Knowing that you have all the strength you need within you to give birth to your baby calmly and smoothly.
Feel free to continue listening to the relaxing background music until it fades out in about 20 minutes or so.
Sending you and your baby lots and lots of love.
