Because of the global pandemic, in many countries including the U.K. and the U.S., the hospitals have put a restriction on the number of people you can bring with you to birth. And many women are left with no choice but giving birth alone in the hospital.
Why are you anxious?
I’ve recently received so many messages from pregnant mothers that they are worried and anxious because of the changing policy from the hospital. And also because of the coronavirus, women are concerned that they may get infected by going to the hospital.
You see, as human beings we fundamentally value one thing – certainty. We don’t like change. We don’t like risks. In fact, our brain also likes to exaggerate risks. We perceive risks 3 times more than we perceive joy, or a gain.
Virus infection? Birthing alone? Ahh, that’s risky. That’s dangerous. Things many go wrong. And if these thoughts hang around with you all day long, how can you not be anxious, not be worried?
How can you overcome that and still have a beautiful birth?
#1. Shift Your Attention 🧭
So many women are trying to control the event of birth, but in fact, there’s nothing you can control except your mind. And if you control your thoughts, you already win.
So instead of looking at the “risky” side of things, flip your mind and look at things from a completely different angle. Hundreds of women are giving birth in your local hospitals every single day, and all went fine. You haven’t heard any mother get infected while giving birth in the hospital. The hospital staff is doing a wonderful job assisting you at your birth.
There’s always a good side in every challenging situation, so shift your attention to see the good. With a positive attention comes positive thoughts, which bring positive feelings, emotions, and actions. Positive actions then shape your events, shape your reality.
#2. Preparation, Preparation, Preparation🧘
If you want to birth beautifully, preparation is key. Our birthing mind and body are like muscles. If you want the muscles to work effectively and harmoniously at birth, you need to train them. So take your time to study. Understand how the birthing hormones work, how the uterine works, how your thoughts impact the process of birth. Learn about the birthing positions, the breathing, the positive affirmations. Do the things that you can control and are giving you results. Rest assured that with all your preparation, good outcome will follow.
#3. Understand In Advance The Hospital “Chore” ️
What’s the check-in process like? Where does the initial internal examination take place? When does the routine examination take place and how flexible are the midwives not to perform these routine checks, if you ask for it? What’s the birthing room like? Is the light dimmable? How about the facilities? Are there a birth ball, a birthing stool, pillows and cushions available?
Not only does the preparation give you reassurance, it also gives you time to prepare, to strategise, so that you can improve your birthing experience.
#4. Prepare The “Little” Things 🧴
When it comes to improving your birthing experience, small things can make a big difference.
So bring yourself some masks and wear a mask before you reach the birthing department. Have a bottle of hand sanitiser gel with you too.
Bring an eye mask and wear it to provide extra calm and darkness. Bring your calm music or birth meditation MP3 if you are used to listen to them during your pregnancy.
Prepare a water bottle with a straw to make it easier for you to drink during labour. And don’t forget cereal bars, nuts, dry fruits, banana – food that’s easy to eat and energy rich.
Oh one more thing! Why not prepare a few cards with words that you may want to communicate with the midwives while in labour? Things like “I am fine”, “I need help”, “Please take me to the loo”…So that you can save some energy by talking less and focus your effort on giving birth. But don’t prepare too many cards as shuffling cards while in labour isn’t fun:)
#5. Start manifesting the exact birth you want to have, every day, from today. ⭐
There’s tremendous power in simply asking for what you want. When you are having a dialogue with the universe in such a wonderful way, the universe also get back to you in more powerful, profound ways.
The first key to successful birth manifestation is using descriptive language. Our brain responds to pictures extremely well. So, pain in your mind the exact birth you’d like to experience. Where and in which room is it taking place? How long does the birth last? What are you thinking, and what are you feeling?
Second, be consistent. Our brain loves repetition. Through repeating things, you work on the subconscious and you rewrite your beliefs. As the brain can’t differentiate between the future and the reality, it will start to believe that such a beautiful birth is precisely what’s going to happen, or what is happening.
Lastly, think wildly about the kind of birth you want to experience. Go beyond what you currently believe is possible.
All beautiful things start with a strong, powerful intention. You all have this natural, profound, and mystic power inside you. And there’s no better time than now to let it shine.
Love,
Grace