Welcome to this practice around releasing fears and anxieties.
At this time,
A time of great change,
It is only natural to feel anxious,
Unsure and at times you may also feel you are alone in the journey.
This practice is designed to support you and to let you know that this process is natural.
Your body knows what it is doing and to help instill trust,
Trust in yourself,
In your body,
In your mind,
So that you can relax and allow the natural journey to take place.
Begin by finding a comfortable position,
Either sitting or lying down,
In a quiet and peaceful space.
Close your eyes,
Take a few deep breaths,
Inhaling deeply through your nose and just let it go,
Sigh it away through your mouth.
A couple more times,
Just like that,
Inhaling through your nose and just let it go,
Sigh it away.
Allow each breath to bring a sense of calmness and relaxation to your body.
Between three or six breaths like this is enough to switch on your vagus nerve,
Which will help induce a sense of calm to take you out of any fight or flight stress reaction that you may be in.
Visualise roots growing from the base of your spine,
Extending deep into the earth.
Feel that yourself becoming grounded and rooted,
Connected to the supportive energy of the earth beneath you.
This connection and understanding with the earth is so supportive when you're experiencing something as natural as growing and birthing a baby.
Take a moment to acknowledge any fears or anxieties you may be experiencing,
Either about your pregnancy or childbirth.
Allow yourself to fully hear those fears,
Feel the emotions without judgment or resistance.
This is normal.
Acknowledging your fears and anxieties is the first step to overcoming them.
Remember that it's okay to feel scared and you are not alone in your journey.
Repeat empowering affirmations to yourself.
You can make your own or take an example,
Like I trust my body's wisdom,
I am capable of facing whatever comes my way,
I am strong.
Let these affirmations fill you with a sense of strength,
Courage and resilience.
With each exhale now,
Try to extend that out-breath.
The longer that out-breath,
The more relaxed you will feel,
The more you will release from the body,
The more you will cleanse through the power of the breath.
Along with toxins and water vapour that naturally expels on our exhale,
Imagine releasing any anxiety or tension you may be holding on to.
Plant that in your exhale and breathe it out of your body.
Visualise this negative energy leaving and dissolving into the air around you.
Feel yourself becoming lighter and more at ease with each breath.
Place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly,
Feeling the connection between you and your baby.
Visualise a warm and loving energy flowing between the two of you,
Creating a sense of security and trust.
Your baby trusts you.
Know that you are safe and supported.
Envision yourself during your childbirth,
Whatever your preference is.
Surrounded by family members or a supportive team of caregivers and loved ones,
See yourself moving through each stage of labour with confidence and grace.
Visualise a smooth and empowering safe birth experience filled with moments of joy and celebration.
Trust in the innate wisdom of your body to birth your baby safely and naturally.
Visualise opening and expanding with each contraction,
Working in perfect harmony with the process of childbirth.
Know that your body knows what to do and you are fully capable of birthing your baby.
It may help to visualise a lotus flower at your root chakra,
The base of your spine,
And imagine as you progress through your labour,
Each petal slowly unfurling,
Opening up to welcome the new life of baby into the world.
Surrender any need for control and allow yourself to flow with the rhythm of childbirth.
Trust in the divine timing of your baby's arrival and surrender to the journey unfolding within you.
Release any resistance that you still hold on to and surrender to the natural process of birth.
Take a moment now at the end of your practice to express gratitude for the miracle of pregnancy and the opportunity to bring new life into the world.
Shower yourself and your baby with love,
Knowing that you are both deserving of compassion,
Care and support.
When you feel ready,
Gently bring your awareness back to the present moment.
Carry the sense of empowerment,
Trust and love with you as you continue your journey towards childbirth and motherhood.
And know that if any fears or anxieties arise within you again,
That this is normal and natural and you can return to this relaxation whenever you need to.
Slowly invite a little movement into the body and when you're ready,
Blink the eyes open.
