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https://youtu.be/zgViehC8xrA?feature=shared

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To keep one calm and confident during the stages of labour.

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Childbirth is a scary thought for most women, even if they've given birth before. Every pregnancy, labor, and birth are different. Your first birth will be nothing like your second birth, and your experience will be very different from your friend's experience.

We must accept the unknown when it comes to giving birth. It helps to think of positive outcomes and have faith that you will have a positive childbirth experience.

Repeating natural birth affirmations for labor and delivery (out loud or in your head) is a great way to calm your nerves and body.

Keeping your mind and body at ease while in labor is very important in minimizing pain. In the 1920's, a man named Grantley Dick-Read discovered that women in labor will throw themselves into a nasty cycle called the "Fear-Tension-Pain" cycle. He indicated that fear causes a woman to become tense, and that tension increases pain. The increased pain, then, increases fear, and the cycle repeats.
During labor and delivery, I challenge you to combat your fear using meditation and breathing techniques along with childbirth affirmations.

When I was in labor and while birthing, I closed my eyes, took deep breaths, and reminded myself of these positive birth affirmations. I used them to almost put myself in a meditative state to get me through childbirth with as little anxiety as possible.

During labor and in the time leading up to that day, if you have a worrying thought come up, imagine yourself pushing it out of your head and affirm to yourself by saying: "My body knows exactly what to do". (Which is one of the positive affirmations for labor and delivery).

This is what I did and it helped me tremendously. I did this with my first two pregnancies and plan to use this same strategy with any future baby during labor and childbirth.

How To Use Birth Affirmations

To use birth affirmations as a calming technique in your birthing process, start by doing one of 3 things:

Using the Affirmations Coloring Book gives you the added calming effect of art therapy to better reduce stress. See more tips on reducing labor pain here.

Next, read over the affirmations and try to remember some of them by heart. When you go into labor and are feeling fearful or in pain, repeat the labor affirmations to yourself or out loud.

The key is to completely believe in the words you are repeating. Close your eyes, take deep breaths, and think about these affirmations. Repeat them until you believe the affirmation is true.

This is how you trick your brain to stop your anxiety and calm your body.

Birth Affirmations Coloring Book

I created an adult coloring book featuring 50 Pregnancy Affirmations For Labor And Birth to help you relieve anxiety about pregnancy and birth using art therapy. You can utilize this birthing tool to help you memorize birth affirmations while coloring to help relieve stress.

Once the pages are colored, you can cut out the pages and hang them on the wall (or use them as affirmation cards) in your birthing room to remind you to keep calm during the birthing process.

Why You Should Use Birth Affirmations

Women use birth affirmations as a form of meditation during labor and childbirth to lower stress and anxiety levels, in turn, lowering body tension allowing your muscles to remain loose, helping your body naturally release your baby with less pain.

By taking control of your mind, comforting yourself through this particularly nerve racking time, you will be encouraging a positive birth experience. And that is really what we all want in the end.

When To Use Birth Affirmations

Women will use positive affirmations during labor and delivery. While laboring at home you may find it helpful to place birth affirmation cards around your home in places like your bedside table or a table in your living room area. Thus, having access to them at any time home when feeling anxiety or fear about childbirth.

Birth Affirmations Cards

Some women find it helpful to have birth affirmations cards or print them out in a list form (like the free printable list) to carry with you to the hospital on the day of delivery. In card form, they are easy to stick in your hospital bag to have in the delivery room.

Some birthing centers allow women to hang these birth affirmation cards on the walls of the delivery room to help keep the woman calm. If this is something that interests you, call your birthing center and ask what they allow.

If you read through the affirmations a few times, I'm sure some of them will stick with you. Keep this anxiety relief technique in the forefront of your brain so you can remember to repeat the affirmations to yourself on the delivery day while breathing through those contractions!

I vividly remember saying to myself (in my head) "my baby and I are working together" while I was pushing. A few seconds later, my doctor and delivery nurse were cheering me on, informing me that my baby is wiggling around, working with me to make her way out, to keep pushing! It was extremely encouraging and made me smile. Therefore, that is my favorite birth affirmation!

Find out more of what helped me cope with pain during labor and delivery here. I hope it helps you as much as it did me!

God bless you! You're going to do an amazing job.

Birth Affirmations List
You can also download the colorful affirmations (seen in the top photo of this blog post) in a printable set of 28 cards. These can be printed in 8.5 x 11 inch size for wall hangings (or adjust the size to your liking) here.

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The Most Helpful Birth Affirmations For Labor - Unlimited Mama

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Natural christian birth affirmations list to help you relax and stay positive during labor and delivery. Made printable to bring with you on delivery day.

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Women don't necessarily have to birth in the water but sitting in a bath of just warm water is beneficial during early labour as it can help take the pressure of the pelvis and back and relieve a bit of that tension!

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Hypnobirthing: to create a calm birthing space

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HypnoBirthing, also known as the Mongan Method, is a childbirth philosophy that teaches self-hypnosis as a tool towards having a natural childbirth. You may be familiar with HypnoBirthing from stories in the news or online, where moms talk about having "painless" calm births. You may have seen videos of HypnoBirthing moms in labor who do not look like they are in the midst of childbirth. Orgasmic birth -when a woman experiences orgasm or orgasm-like feelings during childbirth-is also associated with HypnoBirthing.

The hype on HypnoBirthing may seem too good to be true. As with any childbirth philosophy, what works for one woman may or may not be the best choice for another. That said, HypnoBirthing can work, especially for those who dedicate time to listen and practice the self-hypnosis audios. (The author of this article successfully used HypnoBirthing to have a natural, orgasmic childbirth with one of her four children. The method can work!)

HypnoBirthing was invented by Marie Mongan, a counselor, and certified hypnotherapist. While preparing for the birth of her own child in the mid to late 1950s, Mongan studied the childbirth philosophy taught by British obstetrician Grantly Dick-Read, father of the natural childbirth movement and author of Childbirth with Fear.

Mongan had the intention of having a natural birth, but due to the routine use of drugs during labor, Mongan was anesthetized just as her child was crowning. She was unable to participate in the delivery, and forceps were used on her baby left bruises. Her second baby's birth was a similar experience. However, for the third child, Mongan didn't allow the use of any medications, was able to have her husband be present (a radical idea at that time), and succeeded in having the natural childbirth she desired.

Many years later, in the late 1980s, Mongan became certified in hypnotherapy. She began combining the childbirth philosophy taught by Dick-Read and what she knew about hypnotherapy to create a new approach to childbirth preparation. Also adding in breathing techniques and guided imagery, Mongan invented what is now known as HypnoBirthing. In 1992, the first edition of her book- HypnoBirthing: A Celebration of Life -was published.

HypnoBirthing is now an internationally known childbirth education method, with certified HypnoBirthing practitioners in 46 countries.

How HypnoBirthing Works

HypnoBirthing teaches many of the same key concepts as other natural childbirth methods. For example, the ideas that women have the right to understand and refuse interventions, that birth is a natural and normal process that doesn't require routine interference, and that women should be allowed to have a support person by their side.

However, there are some core beliefs on childbirth education that make HypnoBirthing different. The philosophy behind HypnoBirthing is almost just as important as the methods and skills taught in the classes.

Beliefs About Childbirth Matter

The primary premise of HypnoBirthing is that women are socialized to believe that childbirth is not only supposed to be painful but has to be painful. They are also taught that childbirth is an event to be feared. This expectation of intolerable pain-along with fear-leads to tension in the body. Tension in the body leads to pain, which leads to even more fear, which leads to even more tension and more pain, and a downward spiral begins.

Birth goes from a painful, terrifying process to an empowering, tolerable experience.

Focus on the Positive, Avoid Fear-Based Education

HypnoBirthing is also careful to avoid the nocebo effect. You have likely heard of the placebo effect, which is when a person experiences a positive effect from a medication or treatment just because they are expecting it to work. This is why a sugar pill can make someone feel better.

The nocebo effect is when someone is told about a negative side effect, and they experience that negative side effect only because their mind is expecting it to occur.

To avoid this, HypnoBirthing doesn't believe women need to learn all the possible dangers of birth or pregnancy unless they actually apply to their situation. The additional information increases fear and could lead to actual negative symptoms.

Contractions and Pain vs. Surges and Pressure

Language is a big part of HypnoBirthing. Instead of having contractions (which brings to mind tightness and physical tension), HypnoBirthing instructors call contractions surges. They don't call the discomfort of childbirth pain-they call it pressure.

These language tweaks may seem preposterous to those who have experienced severe pain in childbirth. The use of more positive language isn't intended to dismiss or deny the painful, traumatic experiences some women have during childbirth.

Some women who use this method successfully have reported that contractions actually do feel more like "pressure" and not "pain." Language matters.

Self-Hypnosis and Relaxation

As the name implies, HypnoBirthing puts a strong emphasis on hypnosis as a tool towards a positive birth experience. This isn't the kind of hypnosis you might have seen in magic shows or in the movies, where someone "takes control" of someone else. You remain in complete control of yourself and your thoughts.

Audios and relaxation scripts are provided for you to listen to and practice repeatedly. You choose which scripts work best for you and focus on those. When the body is relaxed, according to HypnoBirthing, the body is able to proceed with the birthing process. Contractions are more effective, and fear is less likely to bring labor to a halt.

There are a variety of scripts provided as part of the course. For example, there is a script that focused on general relaxation, one that focused on having positive thoughts or affirmations on pregnancy and birth process, and a script intended for the active labor stage of birth.

Repeated listening to the HypnoBirthing audios is key to success with this method. Without practice and re-listening, self-hypnosis likely won't take place.

Learning the HypnoBirthing Way of Childbirth

HypnoBirthing is taught over five class periods, each meeting for about two and a half hours.

This is the general breakdown of each class session.

The History of Childbirth and the HypnoBirthing Philosophy

Unit 1 (which is week one) of the course focuses on critical concepts of HypnoBirthing. You'll learn about...

the history of childbirth

where we get our ideas about birth from

what HypnoBirthing is all about

how your body knows how to have a baby already

vocabulary for having a calmer, better birth

videos of women birthing babies using HypnoBirthing

The videos shown in class are compelling. They are likely very different than the images and stories you've seen in popular media. Seeing women use HypnoBirthing successfully isn't only motivating, but it also is key to changing your attitude towards birth.

Bonding with Your Unborn Baby / Preparing Your Mind and Body for Birth

Unit 2 focuses on bonding with your unborn baby and getting ready for childbirth, both mentally and physically. You'll learn...

about the mind of your newborn and the awareness of babies in the womb

how to bond with your unborn baby

how to go into a state of deep relaxation quickly

breathing techniques

how self-hypnosis works

visualizations to use for self-hypnosis and relaxation

choosing the best care provider for you

your partner and/or doulas role at the birth

using massage and gentle exercises to prepare the body for birth

Advanced Self-Hypnosis and Visualization Techniques

Unit 3 of the HypnoBirthing course teaches you how to further advance your self-hypnosis and relaxation skills. You'll also learn...

how to put together a birth preference list

using massage and touch during labor

how your body helps you labor

helping your body start labor naturally and avoiding induction

letting go of negative thoughts and fears

What to Expect During Childbirth

For Unit 4 of the course, you'll learn more details on what to expecting during childbirth. Topics covered include...

how to know when labor begins

what's happening in your body during labor

what to do if your labor slows down

how to create a positive environment for labor

guided imagery to prepare for a positive birth experience

Birthing the Baby and First Bonding Moments

The last class, Unit 5, focuses on the delivery of the baby as well as those first moments after your baby's arrival. You'll learn..

movement and positions for the baby's descent into the birthing canal

scripts and visualizations for the delivery process

how to "breath" the baby down (HypnoBirthing doesn't believe in bearing down, but teaches a gentler approach to delivery)

breastfeeding

bonding with your baby

Outside the Classroom Practice

In addition to class time, participants are expected to spend time outside of the classroom practicing and listening to the self-hypnosis audios. At least 20 hours of practice is suggested to have success with the method.

This may sound like a lot, but if you break it down into 30 minutes per day, you can reach 20 hours after just a month and a half. If you practice only 15 minutes a day, you can get there in 80 days (or about two and a half months.)

Research on HypnoBirthing: Does It Really Work?

Generally, there is a lack of research on childbirth methods. However, this is not the case for HypnoBirthing. The effectiveness of self-hypnosis for pregnancy and birth, as well as research on the HypnoBirthing technique in particular, actually does exist.

Some studies have found that women who use HypnoBirthing are more likely to describe their births as positive. They also report less fear, an increased level of control (compared to those who didn't use self-hypnosis), and decreased use of medical interventions.

A rather small study in Australia found that women who used HypnoBirthing reported feeling focused, more confident, more relaxed, less fearful, and more in control. In this study, 51% of the participants did not use pain medications during labor.

On the other hand, other studies on self-hypnosis and birth have not found definitive benefits. A study published in BJOG compared women who were exposed to hypnosis training for childbirth (but not HypnoBirthing specifically) and women who did not receive this extra training. The self-hypnosis training consisted of two 90-minute group classes, plus audios to listen to at home.

Epidural use was the same in both the hypnosis group and the control. However, women who received self-hypnosis training did report less fear and anxiety after the birth.

Education Options

You can take an in-person group course for HypnoBirthing, study one-on-one (if an instructor in your area offers this), or self-study the techniques.

If you're lucky enough to find a HypnoBirthing course being offered locally, attending can help you connect with other parents and offer incentives to practice the techniques.

While every birthing method requires some practice, HypnoBirthing requires that you set aside time to practice and listen to the audios. A group environment can motivate you to practice and provides an automatic opportunity on your calendar for practice.

If a group class isn't available, or you can't attend (because you're on bed rest, for example), you may consider a one-on-one class. This may be done in person or online via video conferencing

You can also teach yourself HypnoBirthing. The HypnoBirthing website sells the book, audios, and videos you need to prepare. The hardest part about doing a self-study is self-motivation-there is no one there to "make" you practice.

How to Find a Class

The official HypnoBirthing website has a search tool so you can find what they call "Gold Seal Accredited" educators.

If you're lucky enough to have several options for educators in your area, call them and interview them. A good educator can make a difference in your experience. Ask them about their personal birth experiences, how long they've been teaching, and why they teach HypnoBirthing.

Part of matching yourself to a childbirth educator is also a matter of chemistry. One instructor may just fit you better than another, for no easily articulated reason. Go with your gut. Choose whoever you think you'll learn from best.

Criticisms

HypnoBirthing's emphasis on positive, gentle birth experiences may not prepare women who have their birth go differently. The expectations for a positive birth can be set so high that if that doesn't happen, the parent may feel deeply disappointed or experience post-birth shame.

Also, HypnoBirthing is intended for uncomplicated birth and delivery. That doesn't mean the techniques can't or won't work for someone with a more complicated medical situation. Fear reduction and positive visualizations can still be helpful. That said, the curriculum doesn't address what to expect or do if your situation is outside the norm.

The cost can get in the way of access, with the average group class costing between $300 and 600. The wide price range is location dependent, with the fee being higher in places like Los Angeles or New York City. However, self-study can cost less than $200.

A person's suggestibility may also affect how well the method works for someone. Some people are more sensitive to self-hypnosis than others.

Alternatives to HypnoBirthing

HypnoBirthing was the first childbirth method to officially emphasize the role of self-hypnosis for labor and delivery. However, they are not the only option if you want to use hypnosis to prepare for childbirth.

There are private childbirth educators who have developed their own methods using hypnosis. There are also counselors and hypnotherapists who offer childbirth preparation sessions, usually with an emphasis on hypnosis and not content-heavy on the childbirth education part.

If HypnoBirthing Isn't for You

HypnoBirthing is only one option for childbirth education. You have many more options to consider!

If HypnoBirthing isn't for you, you might consider...

The Bradley Method

BirthWorks

Birthing From Within

CAPPA (Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association)

an ICEA-certified (International Childbirth Education Association) childbirth educator

A Word from Verywell

HypnoBirthing is a childbirth education method that emphasizes the use of self-hypnosis and guided imagery to reduce fear, anxiety, and childbirth discomfort. The method requires hours of practice, which can be a struggle for some. However, for those that can complete the program and the recommended practice hours, having a less positive, more empowering birth experience is a real possibility.

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Why You Should Seriously Consider HypnoBirthing

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HypnoBirthing is a childbirth method that helps reduce fear. Find out how HypnoBirthing works, where to find classes, and whether it's right for you.

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WSP-Managing your labour.V4.pdf

Massage can help reduce anxiety and encourage you to feel confident. Massage stimulates the production of hormones called endorphins. These hormones act as natural pain killers and mood enhancers. In labour your support person can massage different areas including the shoulders, head, back, feet, legs and hands. Your partner or other support person can use long, flowing strokes, or large circular strokes. For low back discomfort we suggest you are massaged with smaller movements and with firm pressure. Massage can help ease your muscle tension in labour and help you relax.

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Listen to and trust your body!

Try some yoga moves to open your pelvis; pelvis tilting, rocking, circling, stair walking

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yogababy is a yoga school specialising in Fertility yoga, Pregnancy yoga, Natural Childbirth Education and Postnatal yoga.

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https://www.lamaze.org/Giving-Birth-with-Confidence/GBWC-Post/best-labor-positions-for-speeding-up-labor

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If your goal is to "get things moving along" in labor, there are specific positions you can use that are known to do just that. Now, there's no guarantee of course -- much of the time, labor takes the time it needs to take. Gravity and movement play key roles in the progression of birth, however, and it's important to use both of these to your advantage when possible. This post is the second in our series this month on " Best Labor Positions."

Powerful Positions that Can Help Speed Up Labor
Standing Upright
This image shows just one of the many ways you can labor while standing, which is optimal for allowing gravity to do its work, and also allows for side-to-side or rocking movement, which helps with baby's rotation and descent.
Circling on an Exercise Ball
Sitting on an exercise/yoga ball during labor can help you get your groove on in progressing labor -- and it often feels good, too!
"Sifting" with a Rebozo
This is more of a maneuver than a position, but I felt it important enough to include here. Learn more about the "sifting" technique, which can help baby get into an optimal position and speed up labor, at Spinning Babies.

Toilet Sitting

There's something about sitting on a toilet in labor that seems to work wonders! Whether you're actually using the toilet (emptying your bladder helps make more room for baby to move down!) or just sitting on it, the position is known to be helpful in active labor and transition.
Walking
Walking earlier in labor or during active labor is a proven way to keep your labor moving along. Of course, you'll need to stop along the way for contractions.
Squatting
Squats open the pelvis and can encourage baby to put added pressure on the cervix, which helps with dilation. It's important to have good support when in a squatted position during labor, and to keep your feet as parallel as possible instead of in a "V" shape.
Labor Lunges
Lunging in labor looks different than it does during exercise. Instead of a walking lunge, where you place your leg in front of you, a labor lunge is where you open one leg and lunge out to the side of your body. It helps to prop your foot up on a stool or low chair. This can help a baby that needs to move down (therefore progressing labor) or get into a better position for birth. Try lunging to one side for a few contractions, then switch to the other side.
Laboring in a Tub
Getting into a tub, once active labor is well established (6cm+) or during transition, can often ease labor along. Laboring in a tub promotes relaxation and helps relieve tension, both of which have been shown to help with labor progress.

Tags

Birth Labor Positions Labor Progress Best Labor Positions For Series Speed up labor

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best labor positions for series;birth;featured story;hot topics;labor positions;labor progress;speed up labor

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Best Labor Positions for... Speeding Up Labor

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If your goal is to "get things moving along" in labor, there are specific positions you can use that are known to do just that. Now, there's no guarantee of course -- much of the time, labor takes the time it needs to take.

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Water immersion has been shown to be a calming and soothing method for labouring women. The use of water immersions gives the sensation of weightlessness, taking pressure off tired and tender muscles and joints. Alternatively, some women find the water pressure from a shower to be an effective tool to help ease the pain and discomfort.

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BREATHE! Learning new ways of breathing for each "stage" can help relax and focus the body and mind.
- Georgia (2023)

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Acupressure during labour

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https://calmbirth.com.au/using-a-comb-for-pain-relief/

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How do the combs work?

They are a simple, effective and wonderful pain management tool that help women in labour as they act as a powerful distraction or a focal point by activating the Gate Control Theory. Researchers have long observed that factors such as thoughts, emotions, and expectations can influence our perceptions of pain.

The Gate Control Theory of pain asserts that non-painful input closes the nerve "gates" to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. The comb works on the Pain Gate Control Theory, distracting the brain which allows more of your attention to focus on the sensation of what is happening with your hand and away from the sensations of contractions.

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Using a comb for labour pain relief! | Calmbirth

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How do the combs work? They are a simple, effective and wonderful pain management tool that help women in labour as they act as a powerful distraction or a focal point by activating the Gate Control Theory. Researchers have long observed that factors such as thoughts, emotions, and expectations can influence our perceptions of pain.

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It's easy to want to get up and go to get things moving but as we know, early labour can be really drawn out so resting and sleeping where possible is super important. It can be difficult to get good sleep between even infrequent contractions but relaxing in a bath, eyes closed, can help to reserve energy for the later stages if sleep isnt possible

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DENY: Just pretend it's not happening. Do fun and relaxing things that you enjoy and don't pay attention until you need to.

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DENY: Just pretend it's not happening. Do fun and relaxing things that you enjoy and don't pay attention until you need to.

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Using heat can help to relax women, and to reduce discomfort experienced in early labour - Shannon

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Practicing meditation and mindfulness between contractions can prepare your headspace for labour and birth. Mental imagery of surges washing over you like waves can be empowering to reduce your experience of pain. It promotes a calm environment.

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Eating nourishing and satiating foods in early labour will help women keep their energy and strength up for the hours and days ahead.

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Kemi Johnson calls it a secret sensations party. When you first notice something happening, keep it a beautiful secret between you and your baby. Note the feeling then ignore it until you can't ignore it anymore!

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TENS - Make sure to hire one for maternity to give you an extra boost. TENS is a method of pain relief for people with chronic pain or women in labour. A TENS machine delivers a small electrical current to the body through electrodes attached to the skin.

- Ineke

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Keep that bladder empty, more comfortable for mum and more room for baby to move down

- Ineke

https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/giving-birth-first-stage-of-labour

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Cuddling with partner and getting those hormones flowing.

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Cuddling with partner and getting those hormones flowing.

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Music has the potential to reduce pain felt in early labour, as well as create the relaxing environment most conducive to a positive labour and birth.

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/music-for-pain-relief-during-labor/#:~:text=Researchers%20think%20that%20listening%20to,CNSC%20mechanism)%20to%20relieve%20pain.

-Bianca

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It's like a marathon so got to keep your fluids and energy up.

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Imagine dancing your baby out!  I'd love to bust a move with some labouring Mummas! Hopefully this link works  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZNRJiEt5U
What a fun, relaxed atmosphere this would create.

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https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/89860955048049023/