Just take a moment to bring yourself into your body and into this moment.
Together we are going to help prepare your mind and your body and your heart for the beautiful and what can be empowering journey of birth.
Make sure you're comfortable doing any last little bits of movement or adjusting.
Taking one hand on your heart connecting with your body and then one hand on your belly connecting with your baby.
And we'll begin just by taking a few big,
Deep,
Easy breaths.
Inhaling through the nose,
Pausing for a moment at the top,
And then taking your time completely exhaling,
Letting go of any tension or worry or stress you've been holding on to.
Again,
Inhaling,
Filling up all the way,
Pausing for a moment,
And then letting it all go as you breathe out.
One more time.
And now let your breath settle into a natural rhythm,
Not changing your breath or doing anything with it.
But just let it flow naturally,
Maybe noticing the natural rise and fall of the belly as you breathe in and as you breathe out.
Every breath giving baby a little hug,
Reminding you of the connection between you and your baby.
Behind you is your pregnancy,
Filled with everything that you've learned,
All that you've carried,
The way that you've grown,
And just those weeks behind you.
And ahead of you through that doorway is your birth.
This powerful rite of passage.
This moment you and your baby working together lies ahead of you.
So you take a deep breath.
You step forward across this threshold.
And as you do,
You feel yourself stepping into your birth experience with your body ready,
Your heart open.
You feel calm and confident.
You feel empowered.
And as you step through this threshold,
You step into the place where you're beginning your labor.
Whatever that place is,
You feel safe and supported here.
You look around and you see all the details of that environment,
Whatever you want for your birth.
Maybe it's soft lighting,
Calm voices,
The presence of people that you trust.
Or anything else.
You walked right in to the exact place that you want to have your baby in.
And as your labor begins,
You intuitively know what to do.
Your body guides you with its wisdom,
Even if you've never done this before.
Your mind,
Your heart,
Your body,
And your baby all working together.
You listen to your body's signals and you do what feels good.
Maybe you're moving,
Maybe you're standing,
Maybe you're resting.
Everything that you're doing perfectly aligned with what you and your baby need in that moment.
You feel your breath flowing in steady waves,
Every inhale bringing you energy and strength,
And every exhale helping you soften and release into the moment.
You see your baby working with you,
Moving steadily.
Every breath,
Every movement,
You and your body are in harmony.
Working together as a team with love and trust.
And as you labor,
You see yourself speaking up clearly and confidently for what you need and what you want.
Maybe you ask for some quiet.
Maybe you ask for some touch or water or space.
See yourself saying what you need with confidence,
Ease,
And calm.
You can just say,
This is what I need,
Or this is what I want.
And you can feel those around you listening,
Honoring your voice and supporting your choices,
Because you know what to do and you know what is best for you and your baby.
And you continue your journey through your labor,
Moment by moment.
Every surge,
Every contraction,
It's carrying you closer to meet your baby.
Every breath connects you and your baby and your wisdom.
You feel safe,
Calm,
And strong.
And now you visualize the moment of birth.
You see yourself bringing your baby into the world in the way that feels right for you.
Wherever it is,
It could be at home,
In a hospital,
A water birth,
Birth center,
Outside.
Wherever it feels like the safest,
Most supportive space for you,
That's where you are.
You see your baby arrive,
Your body strong,
Your heart full,
Your voice has been heard.
And then it's over.
Holding your baby for the first time,
Feeling their warmth,
Hearing their cry,
Seeing their face for the first time.
And you feel so good knowing that you did it with your own wisdom and intuition,
With love and support all around you.
Holding on to that feeling of how good it feels to have had that birth experience.
Repeating a few mantras to yourself,
Either silently or out loud.
I trust my body.
I trust my baby.
My body knows what to do,
And I follow my intuition.
I am strong,
Capable,
And ready.
My voice matters.
My choices matter.
I release fear and step fully into trust.
I am surrounded by love and support.
This is my birth,
My body,
And my baby.
Taking a big,
Deep breath in,
Gathering up all the strength and wisdom that you felt in this journey.
And exhaling,
Grounding into the truth that you are.
You are prepared and ready and empowered for your birth.
Remembering that you're not alone.
You are powerful and wise,
And you are capable of creating the birth experience that feels right for you and your baby.
Slowly beginning to return now.
Wiggling fingers and toes,
And eventually opening up the eyes and closing your meditation practice.
Thank you so much for joining me today.
