I have a vision - right from start of contractions through to the final push of how I *want* my birth to go... And it never wavers and even in my dreams its the same.
I know that its helping me and Im feeling confident about it all now - I just hope that Im not setting myself up for a huge fall.
I know that things can go awry - and I have discussed that with my 2 wonderful supportive VBAC pro Obs.... I know what will happen - I have been there before.
With DD1 - no. I could never imagine or visualise myself giving birth in the hospital. Just never came to me.
With DD2 - yes. I didn't visualise myself actually labouring in the birth centre, that part never came to me, but I did visualise lifting the baby up from between my legs and onto my chest after pushing him/her out (didn't know the gender at the time).
This time I haven't yet, but its still early for it to come to me. The birth painting I did the other day really did help me put it out to the universe how I will deal with it, even if there isn't any images of WHERE I will be labouring.
Visualisation is the best, and I don't think you are setting yourself up for a fall. Its just another piece of the puzzle slipping into place for your birth preparations
ABSOLUTELY!! To be honest with DD (my first) I didn't and I really noticed the difference in how I coped. Despite being a midwife I still didn't know what to expect/do as a first time labouring mum. With DS for the minute I found out I was expecting him I started imagining his birth and how I would do and what I methods I would. I was a beautiful birth which I felt completely in control and comfortable in. I also believe one of the most important things for a beautiful birth/labour is your support person. They need to be on the same page as you and fully there for you the entire time.
Visulation is really important. Always remember your goal and to visualise with each surge/contraction is your cervix opening up and bringing your gorgeous little one closer.
Best of luck with your birth hun!!
I did - like you, I had an exact visualisation of how I wanted - no, how I thought each part of it would be.
And it wasn't anything like it, but that was ok, I didn't freak out because it was different. I was more annoyed that I had to be on the bed - I really wanted to be mobile - I didn't have any thoughts of 'this isn't how it's supposed to be!' or anything.
I'm a little bit disappointed now, but again, not in how it differed from my ideas, only in the things that I could have changed ITMS. For example, once my waters broke & she moved into the birth canal, I didn't have to be on my back, but no-one thought to tell the midwife, and I wasn't in a frame of mind to think about it.
What visualising it did for me was to make me feel more relaxed about it, I was looking forward to my labour. I think you always have at the back of your mind that things might go differently - but if it gives you something positive to focus on then that's a good thing.
Yep, for sure. It was right both times, pretty much. I didn't have a great idea with DS1 of course, but I could still imagine a fair bit of it. And you know what, with DS2 I tried and tried to visualise this amazing birth we were going to have.......and pretty much every time had a view from the table in the operating room. I could just see it. I blocked it out all of my pg, but you know what? At the end of the day it was a (beautiful) caesar.
I do believe that visualising is very helpful in birth preparation.
ETA Fleur, I think that's how it helped me with DS1. I had thought about it so much, that I went into labour really looking forward to it.......and I ended up loving it!
I was the same with DD - as she was my first I had no idea what to expect and I got scared.
But this time I feel ready and I am looking fwd to it - I know there will be pain - but Im ready to embrace it this time - go with the labour flow and not fight it.
Ill keep visualising and see how we go in 4-6 weeks!!
Visualising your birth - does it help?
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