Birth Affirmation Note Cards
...for expectant parents, doulas, and educators.
The facts
Childbirth educators and professionals are truly beginning to realize the central role your mind plays during labor.
I've seen it (and experienced it) time and again... your mind can either work for you or, if left unchecked, against you. Too often, it seems, women's fears and anxieties surrounding childbirth lead to self doubt... a downward spiral of negativity begins and, inevitably, women end up feeling upset, even traumatized, after birth. Fortunately, this negativity can be counteracted by a variety of methods, visualization is one I often recommend.
Through my experiences of having my own two children and in working with laboring women over the years, I've come to understand how critical it is to use your mind as a constructive, uplifting tool during labor. In essence, you have the power to create your empowered birth. Visualizations to the rescue!!
So, what is visualization?
Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines it simply as "[the] formation of mental visual images" or "the act or process of interpreting in visual terms or of putting into visible form."
During your labor, however, visualization becomes much more than 'mental visual images'. It becomes a tool to aid in calming your fears, reducing your anxiety and building your confidence about your ability to birth your baby. The images you visualize in your mind actually communicate with the right side of your brain (the intuitive side), thus, aiding you in the birth process.
Believe it or not, seeing an image of a rose opening and relating this to your cervix opening can and does help you during labor. Your mind is truly a powerful tool; so powerful that it can and will aid you in labor... it just needs a little jump start.
Imagery isn't the whole story, is it?
Not exactly. Language is equally important. Negative statements, thoughts and beliefs about your labor can work against you. This is where tools such as my birth affirmation note cards come into play. Reading and repeating positive statements such as affirmations and inspiring quotes is the key. Ina May Gaskin says that positive self talk "help us deal with deep fears since the very act of making positive statements is empowering." Remember, the one thing you have ultimate control over in your labor is your mind. Use it wisely.
Ok, I see. How can you help me?
I have created a set of 12 beautiful, scenic note cards. These note cards are intended to assist you in labor, actively engaging your mind as the positive tool it can (and should) be. These note cards utilize the three tools discussed above: visualizations, positive affirmations and inspiring quotes. All background images are of specifically chosen images from nature. The wording for each note card is intended to enhance the background image for maximum effect.
For Doulas and Childbirth Educators
Doulas: These note cards are a great addition to your birth bag. Use them to guide women through birth visualizations and to help your clients stay positive and confident in labor.
Childbirth educators: Give your clients a truly useful tool to take with them to remember your teachings. Use them as a quick visual aid when explaining the concepts of visualizations and positive affirmations in your class.
What's included?
The set includes 12 note cards shown below. Note that our website name is for copyright purposes only; the product you receive will not have this logo.
Click each image to for a slight larger view; they will open in a new browser window... close it to return here. Please ignore the grainy images; the product you will receive will be of highest quality.
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
|
 |
 |
For only $14.95, you will have a useful, proven tool that will help create the birth experience you desire for yourself and clients! E-mail me at sales@empowering-birth.com for bulk order discounts (5 sets and more only, please).
For more information on how to use your mind as a positive tool, books I found useful include: Mind Over Labor by Carl Jones and Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin. If you want to explore the concept even further, I suggest you look into hypnobirthing. The book, Hypnobirthing: A Celebration of Life by Marie F. Mongan, is a good place to start. Classes are also offered in most cities.