Dear Pre-Labor Self,
When people say “get all the rest you can now” you need to listen to them! Like – literally sleep as much as you can because you’re going to go through such a physical and mental battle babe. I’m not going to lie to you & say it doesn’t hurt, I’m not going to say it’s easy or that you’ll breeze through it because this is going to be one of the biggest challenges of your life. But lovely – it’s worth it. It’s so fucking worth it I can’t even begin to explain. And you know what? Your body is made for this shit. It’s made to do this. Trust it.
You will use visualisation when you’re in labour did you know that? I know I know, you are really not a “zen” kinda person but you will use it & it’ll help. You will visualise yourself walking up the hill of the contraction, getting to the peek of it where you will tell yourself how much of an amazing job you are doing, and then you will visualise yourself sliding back down the contraction. You also wanna know something? Your contractions will only last for a maximum of 90seconds. You can do anything for 90seconds babe. It’s not forever and you are going to get a rest in between. Use that rest. Breathe babe, just breathe.
You will also put essential oils on your wrists to help you stay calm. You’ll use lavender and citrus. You’re going to inhale that scent & breath it out. Your going to use this to keep your adrenaline at bay. You are still going to shake in between your contractions, you are actually going to shake pretty badly – but you will use your breath. Breathe babe, just breathe.
You’ve also got the most incredible people surrounding you. Never forget that they are all here just for you & for your son. They want the best for you, they will give you their all so make sure you see that, make sure you hold onto that through it all, make sure you hold on to them. Breathe babe, just breathe.
Listen to your midwife. She is amazing. This isn’t just a job for her, she is invested in this, she is in this with you. She will be your guide. This is where your birth wish list is important. You wrote down the things you wanted, she is going to respect them & she is going to also do what’s best for you and Jagger. In the end you’re going to have to trust her & it will be that trust in her that will give you exactly what you want – she will be the reason you get what you want. Breathe babe, just breathe.
There is going to be a point where you will be physically and mentally exhausted. It’s going to wash over you within an instant. You’re going to start thinking that you can’t do this. You’re going to panic. The pain will become what you think is unbearable. There is no escaping this point my love, it’s going to come. But it’s going to be your choice in how you respond. You’re either going to stay in that mindset of utter panic, or you’re going to trust your body & the people around you & keep going. Guess what babe? You will choose to fight. You will choose to keep going and I am so proud of you for that. Breathe babe, just breathe.
You will then push your little heart out. You’re gunna push, your gunna push so bad! It will be controlled though, you’ve gotta still listen to your midwife because you will want to push push push but you will need to control it, you will need to use the contractions. Remember to relax your face. A relaxed face equals a relaxed cervix. Breathe babe, just breathe.
You will feel your baby coming out, you will physically feel his head & body enter the world. And then – he will be put onto your chest. You’re going to meet him for the first time. You’re going to look at him and time will stand still.
You’re going to do it. You’ve got this. Believe in yourself because I believe in you, believe in yourself because everyone else believes in you, believe in yourself because your body has made, grown & nourished your baby for over 9months so now it will give birth to it. It knows what to do…without knowing it, you know what to do. And remember – breathe babe, just breathe.
Love,
The Peninsula Mumma xo
The Peninsula Mumma 