Being 34 weeks pregnant, I’ve been reading as many books as I can on how to stay calm and focused during natural childbirth (which is the plan). What I keep seeing as a common topic amongst every book I pick up is how powerful using visualization techniques can be to literally write the script of your experience.
In other words, we can empower ourselves to trust that our bodies know exactly what to do. And when needed, we can connect and communicate with our baby to focus on cooperative energy as you both work as a team to bring forth life into the world.
“Back in the day” women viewed childbirth in a completely different way from how we currently do in modern times. It was not common to fear the process nor to focus on the pain or the avoidance of said pain. Instead, women were taught what it genuinely is…a natural biological process that our bodies were designed to perform and that there is nothing to fear when you surrender to the process itself.
The understanding of how the energy and emotions brought to the experience can tip the scale one way or another will make all the difference in how painful or joyous the experience will be. And this is where using visualizations can be the perfect tool to guide you through your delivery.
Well-known amongst athletes, martial artists, and those who meditate regularly, visualizations are a valuable tool used to perfect their craft. The simple act of taking your own thoughts through how you want the experience to play out (on a regular basis) literally rewires the brain to be better prepared and to not react in fear when you finally do go through the real experience.
It’s a way to desensitize your brain’s reaction to the experience itself. When the body is fearful, it creates adrenaline and cortisol which increase stress as well as pain. It’s almost like the brain fighting the natural process. As with all spiritual practice, we must remind the mind and the ego that they are not the boss. We, as pure consciousness, run the show, and perhaps we needed to be reminded of that as well.
The technique I’m using for myself is custom-made and honestly, that’s how it should be for us all. We all know what we want and we all have the right to put energy into manifesting exactly that. The closer I get to my delivery date, the more I realize that I can either surrender to the what-if’s and fear the unknown, or realize that I have much more say in how my delivery turns out.
I picture myself in the birthing pool, breathing calmly, and focusing on the mandalas that I created and blessed with personal sigils. There are 3 of them and each is attuned to specific energy I channeled into their intricate designs and vivid colors. The first is PEACE/BREATH, the second is POWER/FOCUS, and the third is PUSH/STRENGTH for each stage of labor and delivery.
My vision is pulling from all of the senses and I can smell the lavender oils in the background while the soothing sounds of Bob Marley take me away while bringing me present to the moment. More connected, more aware, and more prepared to ride the waves of my coming labor.
I’ve only been using this visualization for about 2 weeks now, but I can already feel a shift my uncertainty and need to control everything. I am more at peace with the fact that I may end up having to deliver at the hospital and only getting to labor in the tub rather than give birth. But I am equally balanced in focusing on and drawing my reality the vision I have for my perfect day. Which of course, leaves room for imperfections and provides openness to unexpected change. 
Again, this technique can be used for several purposes, from learning to slow a chattering mind that won’t let you sleep, to becoming a better shot at basketball. When we can proactively take ourselves through the experience, we give our brains the preview of what to expect. Our brains do not know the difference in the reality of our thoughts and as long as we believe something to be true, the brain will as well.
This is such an empowering lesson, at least it was for me. It reminds us that we are not slaves to our emotions, but rather we can learn to work with them and not allow them to force our bodies into a panic when consciously we want peace. When we can remove the fear and act on courage and trust, we give ourselves an almost as great of a gift as motherhood. And that is the ability to connect with this life-changing experience in a way that is all our own…lead by love and grace.
Tamara Rant is a Co-Editor/Writer for CLN as well as a Licensed Reiki Master, a heart-centered Graphic Designer, and a progressive voice in social media activism & awareness. She is an avid lover of all things Quantum Physics and Spirituality. Connect with Tamara by visiting Prana Paws/Healing Hearts Reiki or go to RantDesignMedia.com
Tamara posts new original articles to CLN every Saturday.
