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In the journey of pregnancy and childbirth, positive affirmations can play a powerful role in shaping your mindset, fostering positivity, and releasing fears. Let's delve into positive affirmations and how to use them in pregnancy and birth.
What are Positive Affirmations?
Positive affirmations are statements, often in the present tense, that aim to challenge and overcome negative thoughts. Repeating these affirmations can rewire your subconscious mind.
How Positive Affirmations Can Rewire Your Brain During Pregnancy
We all go into pregnancy with preconceived ideas about how the birth will look and feel. For the majority of us, this is how birth has been presented to us, in the media and through birth stories we have been told.
Most of us have an image of being in hospital, on a bed, in pain. Of birth being a medical emergency, associated with fear and danger.
This pathway has already been built in our brain, birth = danger. Often this pathway is so established we can get a fight or flight response (think racing heart, sweating, shortness of breath) when we think about it.
Thankfully because of neuroplasticity, our brain can create new pathways and get rid of the old ones, this is where positive affirmations come in.
Repetition of positive beliefs, in situations associated with calmness can create the association birth = safety!
You can use positive affirmations throughout your pregnancy to release any specific fears that arise (perhaps you've been told your baby is big, so you add 'My baby is the right size for my body' to your toolkit!)
Creating Your Positive Affirmations Around Fears You Have About Birth
You can find many free printable or paid-for pregnancy and birth positive affirmation cards on the internet, and they are a brilliant way to start practicing using positive affirmations, however, the most effective way to rewire your brain is to personalize them to reflect your own thoughts and fears.
A fear release exercise is a great way to do this, writing down what you fear about birth and then creating an affirmation to counteract this, it could look something like this:
I will not be able to cope with the pain = The pain cannot be stronger than me because it is me.
Something might happen to my baby = My body is doing all it can to keep my baby safe
Something might happen to me = I am built to birth this baby, my body is strong.
How to Use Positive Affirmations in Pregnancy
1. Put Them Up Around Your House: Surround yourself with affirmations by displaying them in prominent places where you spend time, such as the bathroom mirror or bedroom wall, to be reminded of their uplifting messages daily.
2. Create a Vision Board: Collate images and words that resonate with your affirmations to create a visual representation of your goals and desires. You can move this around your house and add to it throughout your pregnancy.
3. Record Meditation Tracks : Record yourself reciting your affirmations in a soothing voice to create personalized meditation tracks. Listen to these recordings during moments of relaxation to reinforce positive thoughts. You can also ask your birth partner to record them for you.
How to Use Positive Affirmations during Birth
Set up the affirmation cards you have used during pregnancy in your birth space, and read them between contractions, at this point, your subconscious will be used to seeing them and they will provide comfort without you having to specifically read them!
Use your vision board, and set this up in your birth space, this is an easily transferable source of positivity that can come with you if you decide to move rooms or transfer into the hospital.
Repeat your affirmations out loud.
Ask your birth partner to repeat your positive affirmations to you!
Common Mistakes When Using Positive Affirmations
Lack of Belief: To maximize the effectiveness of affirmations, belief in their power is essential. Doubting their impact can limit their ability to influence your mindset positively.
Inconsistency: Consistent repetition of affirmations is key. Neglecting to reinforce these positive messages regularly may hinder the desired outcomes.
Negative Language: Avoid using negative words in affirmations, as they can inadvertently amplify undesired thoughts. Focus on framing statements positively.
Harnessing the potential of positive affirmations throughout your pregnancy and childbirth journey empowers you to cultivate a mindset of positivity and resilience.
Download my free printable positive affirmation template here to kickstart your affirmation journey!
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