We are down to crunch time – less than 4 weeks until my due date! I’ve caught myself being anxious and worried about giving birth all of a sudden, and I pulled out my birth affirmation cards to keep next to my bed. Most of these birth affirmation cards I wrote before I had Lucy, and used throughout my labor at home and in the hospital. I am a total ‘words of affirmation’ person – the encouragement and inspiration from these cards really, really helps me. I read them to get through contractions, and now, I’ve been reading them to alleviate some of my anxiety about the future and my upcoming labor experience. There’s lots of fancy birth affirmation cards out there, but I just made my own with notecards and markers.
After re-reading these this week, I realized my birth affirmation cards fell into four categories, and I wanted to share with you today! The categories for me were
- general self-love, birth, and labor-related affirmations
- mindfulness tips
- spiritual/Biblical verses and lyrics
- 4. silly reminders.
I’ll break down what is on my birth affirmation cards below! I hope if you’re pregnant and considering making birth affirmation cards that you find these helpful!
GENERAL SELF-LOVE, LABOR, AND BIRTH AFFIRMATIONS:
Simple, but powerful and important reminders that I CAN DO THIS! And how capable, strong, and amazing I am.
- Your biggest job is to get out of the way and let your body do what it’s meant to do.
- Your body is strong, capable, powerful, incredible. You can do it!
- I trust the process of birth. I know I can do this. My body is healthy and well.
- On the other side of this pain, I will meet my baby. *this one was super powerful for me when in labor with Lucy!
- I am safe. I am secure. I can navigate the unexpected if need be. I am prepared for whatever comes my way.
- You have no control over the timing or circumstances of labor and delivery. Be open to whatever happens.
- I acknowledge my fears, but I let them go. I focus on things that are good and gracious and life-giving.
- I can get through this minute. One minute of pain then REST!
- My mind is at ease. I walk into birth with calm confidence, knowing I can handle whatever comes my way.
- My body is beautifully and wonderfully made. Mu body is strong and resilient. My body is more powerful than I know.
- I am never alone. I am surrounded by people who love me. I feel the love they have for me and my baby. I am grateful.
- I know I can brith this baby. I trust my instincts. I trust the wisdom of my body. I believe I can, so I will.
MINDFULNESS TIPS:
These were pulled from a mindful pregnancy and labor book, but I don’t remember which one! Super important reminders that I’ve been meditating on as I prep for labor.
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- Beginner’s Mind: bring fresh, open, and unbiased perspective to birth. Let go of preconceived ideas. Embrace every moment as new and unique
- Non-Judging: don’t label things as good or bad. Labor is not a test to pass or fail. Step away from stories you are telling yourself so you don’t get caught up in painful judgments
- Patience: understand that events unfold at their own pace, out of our control. There is no schedule; labor is a delicate balance between being and doing.
- Non-Striving: there is nothing to achieve. Don’t put effort to get somewhere; instead allow things to be exactly as they are.
- Trust & Self-Reliance: listen to yourself. You are the ultimate authority of your own experience. Trust you can handle whatever unfolds, no matter how scary, challenging, difficult, or painful.
- Acknowledgement: don’t try to change or deny what is happening. You don’t have to like what’s happening. See things as they are vs. being ruled by reactive emotions or judgments.
- Letting Be: the more we resist, the more suffering we create for ourselves. Instead, turn towards difficult or unwanted situation. ‘Come to terms’ with how things are unfolding.
- Kindness: move toward compassion and acceptance. Acknowledge any unkind thought with kindness and bring your attention back.
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BIBLICAL/SPIRITUAL VERSES AND LYRICS:
For me, remembering the same God who made the ocean and sky and everything here on earth made ME and my baby helps me. I remind myself that he cares about me, is FOR me, protects me, loves me, and gives me strength during hard moments. Here’s some verses and worship song lyrics that really were helpful to me!
- “[S]he will have no fear of bad news. Her heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Her heart is secure, she will have no fear.” – Psalm 112:7
- “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
- My anxiety bows in the presence of Jesus, the keeper of peace. Peace is a promise you keep.
- “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name – you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned and the flame will not consume you.” – Isaiah 43:1-2
- Take courage, hold on, be strong. Remember where your help comes from!
- I ‘m no longer a slave to fear – I am a child of God.
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
- If he can hold the world, he can hold this moment.
- “May the Lord answer you when you are in distress. May He give you the desires of your heart. May He make all of your plans succeed. May the Lord grand all of your requests.” – Psalm 20
- “God is our refuge and strength – a very present help in times of fear.” – Psalm 46
- “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened and do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
SILLY AND FUNNY REMINDERS:
Eric wrote these ‘affirmations’ for me ‘from Jack’ and they still crack me up! I mixed these into my pile of birth affirmation cards and it made me smile reading the notes ‘from Jack’ — mostly inside jokes or things about him that are funny. The other cards are focused on mindfulness and peace and self-love, but I think it’s helpful to have a little humor mixed in too!