By Julia Priston.
Pregnancy and childbirth are profound life events, characterized by their transformative nature. Yet, the practice of using affirmations during this time is often met with skepticism or even considered "weird" by some. Interestingly, while birth affirmations are sometimes viewed as unconventional, the world of sports readily embraces the power of positive affirmations. And honestly, I can't understand why these are viewed so differently. Hopefully you understand why after reading this blog post.
Understanding Birth Affirmations
Birth affirmations are positive statements or mantras that expecting mothers use to cultivate a sense of empowerment, confidence, and peace during pregnancy and childbirth. These affirmations are designed to counteract fear, anxiety, and self-doubt, which are common emotions during this transformative period. Now while they are often faced with skepticism - exact the same concept is used in the world of sport! Sport affirmations are widely embraced as a legitimate mental training technique. Athletes, coaches, and sports psychologists openly discuss the positive impact of affirmations on performance.
Closing the acceptance gap: Birth vs. Sports Affirmations
Let's highlight the stark similarities between birth and sports affirmations:
Mindset Transformation: Shifting from Doubt to Confidence
Both types of affirmations aim to shift the mindset from doubt and fear to trust and empowerment. Athletes use them to boost their confidence, while expectant mothers can do the same during pregnancy and childbirth.
Stress Reduction: A Calming Influence
Stress reduction is crucial in both contexts. Lowering cortisol levels through affirmations promotes a calmer pregnancy and labor, as well as helping athletes maintain composure under pressure.
Building Confidence: The Key to Success
Affirmations reinforce the confidence, reminding individuals that they are strong, capable, and ready to face their respective challenges.
Examples of Birth Affirmations
"My body knows how to grow and nurture my baby." "I trust my body to give birth naturally and safely." "Each contraction brings me closer to meeting my baby." "I am in control of my birthing experience."
Conclusion
The contrast between the acceptance of sports affirmations and the skepticism sometimes directed toward birth affirmations is an intriguing one. Both practices harness the power of positivity and self-belief, yet one still gets the raised eyebrow. However, it's essential to recognize that the benefits of birth affirmations are profound. Whether you're an expectant mother, a doula, or a birth professional, the practice of using affirmations during pregnancy and childbirth can be a transformative and empowering experience. In the end, both birth and sports affirmations share the same goal: to boost confidence, reduce stress, and foster a winning mindset, enabling individuals to overcome challenges and achieve their goals, whether that is a gold medal or a new-born baby in your arms.
About the author
I had the pleasure to meet Julia Priston during a Doula workshop at Isfjorden, Norway. Quickly it became apparent to me that Julia loves her doula work, as she was talking about it with a sparkle in her eyes. She's got this softness in her voice, when she talks about holding the space for the amazing women she gets to work with. She fully understands how transformative childbirth and the maternity period can be, as she experienced this herself big time when she got her two children, only eleven months apart. She was willing to learn the real lessons that life offers, and went on an inward journey that completely changed the way she sees herself. Now she helps women to see childbirth as a powerful and beautiful event, helping them to unravel their inner strength in order to experience the best and most positive birth possible. Find out more about Julie's work at www.juliapriston.com.
Very interesting! I never thought of it this way.