Positive Vision for Birth #2

Labor begins….  slowly, but I quickly realize this is labor.  My first labor’s early stage was drawn out because of my inability to believe that I was actually in labor… I was not allowing myself to go into the moment, and begin the experience.  Contractions were slow to start, and for a good 12 hours I kept thinking to myself “Is this labor?  I’m not really sure…”

James will be at work.  This labor will begin with strong sensations, and move quickly into the active stage.  Bell will follow me around, asking if I’m OK, and I’ll assure her that mommy is fine, and she can help me get the baby out by making our labor noises.  She’ll giggle, and start mooing like a cow – breaking into hysterical laughter.  James will be home shortly, and my midwives will arrive shortly.

It will be late.  A cool fall breeze will flow through the house, and I’ll admire the changing autumn leaves.   I’ll pace the floors, complaining occasionally, and my birth team will remind me that I’m doing great and deep noises are progressing labor.  They’ll be bored in the living room, giving me the privacy I need.

Transition is intense in sensations, but calm.  I’ll get a short break and birthing contractions will begin.  No one will encourage me to push.  No one will ask if I feel the urge to push.  My upright positions are excellent for bringing the baby down.  I get into an all-fours position, because I’m getting tired at this point.  I soon feel a powerful emotion – like I could take over the world.  My water breaks and the new baby emerges.  I’ve stretched beautifully and my instinctual birth will lend itself to quick healing postpartum.  I quickly grab new baby and bring baby to my abdomen as I lean back on the bed to rest.  Baby is interested in the breast, and latches within a few minutes, while we wait for the placenta to make it’s entrance.

The cord has stopped pulsating at some point, and we eventually let Bell cut the cord.  Bell talks to the new baby, and is amazed that the baby finally “got out of my belly.”  Bell wants the baby to “drink milk from my boobs” and is very excited, but it is well past her bedtime.  We all enjoy this special time with our new family and the birth team leaves for us to get some rest and start our new lives together.

Positive visualizations for birth are an excellent way to overcome fears.  Sometimes, it can be difficult to express positive scenarios because we worry about the “what if’s.”  What if’s can always happen – and education and informed choices allow us to handle those situations, while not thinking about them every moment.  Allow yourself to be positive about your birth experience.  You have nothing to prove to anyone.  This is YOUR special time – and the birth you need will be the birth you achieve.