Ready to Wing it with Courage and Insight

If we are to be entirely truthful,
we have to agree that birth is a journey into the unknown,
and every woman has to wing it with courage and insight.
~ Elizabeth Noble

That quote is from one of my birth books. Its message gives me confidence as we move into these near-birth days (the guess date is this coming Saturday!). Nate and I have faithfully attended our Bradley classes, practiced our own relaxation techniques in preparation for labor, read a variety of books, and nurtured a number of supportive relationships as we have learned how to envision our very own 'best birth' experience. Baby Soule-Hill and I check in now and then about how we are 'partners' in this big next step. I trust that Baby is going to help me, just as I am going to help birth Baby the best I can with enthusiasm and joy.

So now, we just wait. As we wait, I am trying to be mindful of ways that lessen my anxiety. Most of the time I trust in my own body and my own power...but those 'wafs' (worries, anxieties, and fears) have their way with me now and then.

Bedroom Birth Art




One creative way I tried to process my anxiety was to make some birth art to hang in the bedroom for some inspiration.
One is a favorite mental image of mine- leaves floating down a stream. I grabbed some fallen aspen leaves when we took a day trip to RMNP in Sept. I glued them to a piece of cardboard I painted to resemble a stream. Pain, worries, crazy thoughts, etc...are like leaves that float down a stream. They pop up now and then, but they can't stick- they just flow away, flow beyond my control, flow out of my reach, flow away to a place where they no longer matter and cannot harm me.
This is an image I want to remember during birth. Whatever I think or feel that might bring me pain is like a leaf on the stream. And besides, each contraction brings us closer to BABY!









Birth-day shall come upon us any day now. I hope and pray that birth may be a transformative and joyous experience. I dream of a birth that challenges me to face my own inner demons, helps me surpass my expectations of my physical strength, draws me closer to Nate...and especially, works together with the baby to welcome the little beloved one into the world with gentleness.