| Visualization is a very powerful tool that can be used | | | | down to the smallest detail everything going exactly as |
| in creating your ideal childbirth experience. If you can't | | | | you would like it to go. See yourself handling your |
| conceive of it - then how can you achieve it? You can | | | | contractions with total ease. See yourself enjoying |
| follow simple steps to help achieve the exact birthing | | | | your labor as you eat, drink, change positions, use deep |
| that you desire. First, educate yourself! There is a lot to | | | | breathing and relaxation techniques. See yourself |
| know about preparing for bringing a new life into this | | | | feeling confident and happy that you are having a |
| world - especially since this normal event is mostly | | | | great labor and that you will meet your baby soon. |
| managed by a highly medicalized community in our | | | | Visualize going to your place of birth (whether that is |
| culture. The next step is choosing the right care | | | | home, the birth center or the hospital) and see the |
| providers. Think about what you want for your birthing! | | | | transfer to that place as a peaceful event. You are |
| Spend some time deciding what would be an ideal birth | | | | calm and centered and you are confident about your |
| situation for you and your family and then choose a | | | | ability to birth your baby. Visualize arriving at your place |
| care provider that supports that. | | | | of birth and being treated with dignity and respect by |
| Another step that is often overlooked in birth | | | | those involved in your birth. Follow this idea all the way |
| preparation is the process of visualizing your childbirth | | | | through seeing yourself birthing your baby and holding |
| experience and bringing it into fruition for yourself. Did | | | | your baby in your arms. Feel yourself bonding with |
| you know that many famous athletes use visualization | | | | your baby and feeling the complete bliss of seeing |
| as a part of their regular training programs to achieve | | | | your baby's face and the immeasurable unconditional |
| the outcomes they want? The brain doesn't know the | | | | love that you have for your child. |
| difference between an actual event and an imagined | | | | Visualization is a very real tool. It helps top athletes |
| one! Many Olympic athletes visualize themselves | | | | every day and it can help you too. Research shows |
| performing perfectly and winning the gold medal. The | | | | that visualization enhances confidence and adds to the |
| same techniques used by elite athletes can be used | | | | 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. Visualization boosts motivation |
| by you to achieve the outcome that you want - a | | | | and will help you to take the steps to make the vision |
| beautiful, peaceful birthing experience! | | | | you have become your reality. Visualization is also a |
| This process is simple - all you have to do is imagine! | | | | form of practice. If you can see yourself having a |
| Take some time to sit with your eyes closed in a | | | | wonderful birth experience - you CAN make it happen |
| relaxing position and think about going into labor. Think | | | | for yourself. |
| about what time of day it is, what the weather is like, | | | | Take time to see your perfect birth. |
| where you partner is and how good you feel. Visualize | | | | |
