In the process of birth the birthing person typically will need some encouragement and emotional support. Birth affirmations are simply that! They can even be your birth slogan or mantra! The best part of birth affirmations is you can select those that resonate with you and create ones that truly speak to you.
Why use them? Labor can be long. Labor can be hard. And at some point in labor self-doubt can creep in. Having some reminders that lift you up can help you through intense parts of birth. The goal is to make you feel good about the process and keep things positive. These little sentences can act as your own personal cheerleader!
Tips for finding and creating affirmations:
–Check out our Pinterest page of affirmation ideas
-Use lyrics from your favorite songs
-Scan your birth books for parts that truly speak to you
-Buy affirmations already printed out in card form, like these
-Seek inspiration from your favorite movies or books. It doesn’t have to be directly related to birth to be useful and encouraging!
-Take inspirational quotes from uplifting calendars
-Seek out your favorite poet, philosopher, or public speaker for words of wisdom and inspiration
-Ask your provider what their favorite things to tell patients are
Birth affirmations are for every birth desire.
Whether you want a natural birth or an epidural or a planned cesarean birth, encouragement and positivity are always useful.
So you got your inspiring words…now what?
-Your partner, doula, or support person can read these aloud during the birth.
-You can create a booklet of them to flip through.
-Type or write them on cards and hang them around your birthing room.
-Create wish flags or a bunting out of fabric or paper. Then write the affirmations on the flags. String these up in your birth room.
Birth affirmations are simply another tool to help you cope throughout the labor process. You may find them useful and use them the throughout your whole labor. It never hurts to arm yourself with as many tools as you can. Birth affirmations can be an easy and great tool to use and have with you as you bring your baby into this world.
Written by: Andrea Stainbrook