Preparing for Birth: After a Traumatic Experience
It’s pretty safe to say that Broady’s birth (linked here) was the most traumatic thing I’ve experienced to date. Some may read this and think.. Dang she’s bringing up birth experiences again? Yes. I am actually. It sort of feels like a rite of passage…you know what? It is a rite of passage so let’s just go ahead and name it that. When talking about milestones and big events I sometimes refer to them as “before Broady’s birth” and “after Broady’s birth” … because who I was before is someone completely different than who I am now. The wild thing about motherhood and mothering— regardless of the birthing experience, you’re constantly evolving and truly getting to know the “new you.”
Leading up to Brixen’s birth (especially at the very end) I limited my interactions with people–to protect my energy and my mindset. I intentionally refrained from excessively scrolling through social media and watching certain types of things on tv. Why did I do this? Well because what we listen to, what we engage in and who we interact with matters. What’s that quote? Something about “we are what we surround ourselves with.”
Here’s what I did to prepare:
BABYMOON / STAYCATION
Bradford and I were able to do a mini staycation/babymoon a couple of months before our due date. An excellent opportunity to relax! The idea is not to spend a ton of money or to go somewhere tropical or far away, but instead to pause and purposefully live in the moment of the season. Candle making, cold brew coffee, Next Friday, tacos and brunch—A WIN.
WALKING TRAILS + ZOO TRIPS
Soaking up this time with my ‘big kids’ before having a newborn in the house was really important to me. And looking back 6 months in with 3 kids, I am so glad that we had that time and made those extra memories.
BIRTH AFFIRMATION CARDS
Affirmation cards. For me—by me. Sometimes we just need gentle reminders (from ourselves) of how worthy and loved we truly are. These didn’t only help to prepare me and encourage me for birthing.. I actually used a few of them on my mood board for 2022 because they are still very relevant.
JOURNAL WRITING + LIGHTHEARTED READING
Once upon a time my journal was strictly for praying, writing reflections for devotionals and taking notes from podcasts or audiobooks. That isn’t the case these days. I’ve gotten in the habit of writing down what I am grateful for, who I am grateful for, and highlighting all of the good that is happening to me and around me. This has been transformational in how I move through healing, parenting and just living in general.
As for reading, the last thing I needed was the stress of real life/current events from non-fiction. What you read also plays a role in the type of energy you’re inviting into your space. Anything lighthearted, like rom-coms are what got me to the finish line.
It’s amazing to me how protecting your energy actually… works?
How can this be translated to something that isn't birthing a baby? Do you have a decision to make or a life event that you are anticipating? What are you giving your energy, thoughts, and attention to?
That’s it. I belong here and you do too.
