Relaxation techniques for pregnant mothers

Apr 11 2009

Surges

“Language is very important,” says Sheila from Hagley, Birmingham, whose children are grown up.

“When you say the word ‘contraction’ you think of something closing up and tightening, but you want everything to open up when you’re giving birth, so it’s better to think of them as ‘surges.’

“Don’t think of them as painful but as sensations instead. These sensations tell you what position you need to be in and what you need to be doing. Think of your uterus massaging your baby into its life.

“If you’ve already had a difficult birth, remember you can’t change what’s happened before but you can change your thoughts about it.

“It’s all about reprogramming the subconscious mind.”

It was time to set about relaxing.

We were asked to make ourselves comfortable and close our eyes as Sheila counted down from 10 to one, implanting the idea that we became more and more relaxed with each number she said.

We did some visualisations, imagining ourselves in a kitchen, cutting into and then biting a lemon, then in a beautiful place in the countryside.

She then sowed the seeds of confidence and excitement for the birth with positive affirmations such as ‘my body and baby are designed to make this easy’ and ‘I’m a strong woman and I know my body can do this.’

I left feeling relaxed and contented but not necessarily too different to how I felt when I arrived.

However, over the following week as I listened to the free CD Sheila had given us, I found myself becoming more and more positive and confident about the birth.

And my outlook on my pregnancy has changed as I seem to have a better handle on my aches and pains and we’re both now eagerly anticipating our new arrival.

* The Mindful Mamma course costs £99. For more information, visit www.mindfulmamma.co.uk or call Sheila on 01562 882 662.

* To try out a relaxation session with Sheila for yourself, watch our exclusive video on www.sundaymercury.net