15 Nov Thoughts on birth – Birthing hopes and dreams

• Birth is normal, natural and healthy
• Women are made to birth
• Wonder at how your body has changed and has so thoroughly nurtured your growing child. Be filled with trust
• A woman’s body is designed to give birth naturally and safely
• A woman’s body is powerful
• Believe in your body and the process of birth
• Don’t complicate birth, let your body work naturally
• Women’s inner wisdom guides them through birth
• Women’s confidence and ability to give birth are either enhanced or diminished by their healthcare professional and place of birth so choose them carefully
• The experience of birth profoundly affects women and their families
• Create good birthing experiences, the memories are with you forever
• Women have a right to give birth free from routine medical interventions
• Childbirth education empowers women to make informed choices in health care, to assume responsibility for their health and to trust their inner wisdom
• Birth can safely take place in birthing units and homes
• Create a calm, peaceful and relaxing environment in which to birth
• Labouring, you will be calm and peaceful and have a happy, knowing smile on your face
• Each contraction brings you closer to the birth of your baby
• The movements of your uterus are massaging and hugging your baby
• Each contraction is best preparing your baby for his birth
• The baby is naturally doing just what he should be doing during labour
• Your body will miraculously open itself like a flower for the baby, and then close itself and heal itself with amazing speed
• There is pain, but no suffering. Your body is working just as it should
• Remember, pain = endorphins. Suddenly you cherish that euphoric, heavy-lidded feeling in your body, knowing it was doing just what it needed to. It was taking great care of you and your baby
• Birthing is a time of pleasure, there need not be fear
• Birth should be unhurried
• You can do this because you are doing this
• You are so relaxed, peaceful and strong
• Women were created to bear children with strength, endurance and joy
• Enjoy the privilege of giving birth
• At birth not only is a baby born but so is a mother and father and a whole new family is formed