Welcome,
I'm Shelley MacLean.
I specialize in pre and postnatal healing using therapeutic art therapy,
Meditation,
And yoga.
In today's lesson,
We'll explore something that can feel beautiful and surprisingly complicated during early pregnancy.
And that's connecting with your baby.
Right now,
Your baby may not feel like it's there.
It's real.
Might not feel movement.
Might not have any physical signs that make this pregnancy feel completely real.
And because of that,
You might be wondering,
How am I supposed to connect with this baby?
How am I supposed to form a bond?
The truth is there's no right way to bond with your baby.
Some people feel an immediate connection.
Some people feel excited.
Some feel protective or overwhelmed or uncertain.
And some people don't form a connection at all right away.
And all of those experiences are okay.
Connection isn't something that you could force.
It doesn't have to happen perfectly.
It could begin very simply.
It could begin with attention.
It's present.
With a moment of turning inward and noticing that something new is unfolding within you.
So in this lesson,
We're going to create one of those moments together.
There's nothing you need to accomplish.
You don't have to visualize your baby.
You don't have to feel a particular emotion.
You don't even have to feel connected when this lesson ends.
Instead,
We're simply going to make a little space for connection to begin.
Let's settle in.
And start with a guided meditation.
So I invite you.
To find a comfortable space.
You can sit or lie down in whatever feels supportive.
And if it feels comfortable,
Gently close your eyes.
Or take a soft gaze.
There's no one you need to answer to right now.
There's nowhere you need to be.
This time.
Is yours.
Can I slow breath in?
And slowly let it go.
Again,
Breathe in.
And exhale.
Allow your shoulders to soften.
Let your jaws relax.
Your hands become comfortable.
And simply notice your body.
You don't need to change anything.
Just notice.
And if it feels comfortable,
Place your hand.
Somewhere on your body that feels supportive.
Perhaps on your heart.
Or your womb,
Your belly.
Or somewhere else entirely.
And rather than trying to imagine your baby.
Simply notice that life.
Is unfolding within you.
You don't need to picture anything or.
.
.
Feel anything,
Just acknowledge that something new is happening here.
You might say to yourself.
I am here.
I am listening.
I am making space for this experience.
And if you'd like,
You can imagine turning your attention gently toward your baby.
Not with expectation or pressure.
Just simply with curiosity.
You might say,
Hello,
Little one.
I'm here.
We're beginning this journey together.
Take another slow breath.
And allow yourself just to be here.
Your connection with your baby doesn't have to look a certain way.
Could be quiet.
And be uncertain.
That can change from day to day.
You can feel connected one day and distracted the next.
That doesn't mean you've lost the connection.
It means you're human.
Take one more breath in.
And slowly exhale.
And when you're ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Bring your awareness back into the room.
And notice how you feel.
Now we're going to move into today's creative practice.
This is a simple letter writing practice.
And this isn't about finding the perfect words.
In fact,
There are no perfect words.
It's simply an opportunity to put some of this experience onto paper.
You could use a journal,
A piece of paper,
Or whatever feels comfortable.
Allow yourself 15 to 20 minutes.
Create space to be slow and intentional.
And when you're ready,
You can start your letter.
You might begin with your baby or simply hello little one.
And tell your baby a little bit about you.
What are you feeling?
What are you hoping for?
What are you curious about?
You might share the kind of mother that you hope to be,
The values that you want to pass on.
The kind of home or environment you hope to create,
Or perhaps a little about the world you're preparing to welcome them into.
You can write about something that you're looking forward to experiencing together.
And if you don't know what to say,
That's okay too.
You can simply write,
I don't know what to say yet,
But I wanted to say hello.
Let the letter be honest.
It doesn't have to be beautiful.
It doesn't have to be profound.
It just needs to be yours.
A letter from you to your baby.
And when you finish,
Take a moment to read it back.
And notice what comes up.
Maybe you feel a little emotional and maybe you smile.
Maybe you feel nothing in particular.
Whatever happens is okay.
This is simply the beginning of a keepsake.
Something you may want to return to someday.
Maybe you return to it with your little one.
As you finish your letter,
Take a moment to reflect.
And ask yourself,
What does connection with my baby mean?
What am I hoping to experience during this pregnancy?
And again,
You don't have to answer perfectly.
And before we close today,
Let's take a few moments.
For some affirmation.
You could repeat them out loud or just silently in your head.
I am building a bond with my baby that begins before birth.
I don't have to feel a certain way in order to be a loving mother.
My connection with my baby can grow gently,
One moment at a time.
I trust myself to experience this pregnancy.
In my own way.
And finally.
Connection.
Doesn't have to be perfect.
I can simply begin.
Take one more gentle breath in.
And exhale.
However this lesson felt for you today,
Let that be enough.
Your relationship with your baby doesn't have to wait for a movement or a bump or a particular milestone.
You can begin with something as simple as paying attention.
You can begin with a breath.
A hand resting on your belly,
A quiet hello.
Thank you for spending this time with me and I send you so much love and light to you and your baby.
