As women prepare to become mothers, those last few weeks can often feel like the most stressful. It’s common for women to have gotten to the point where they truly believe that they will have a baby on their due date. Women know rationally that it’s very unlikely, but they’ve said that date so many times to themselves, to others, heard it from doctors, and written it in their planners. Over the course of the pregnancy, that ONE DATE gains a LOT of significance.
So when women do pass by their due date, they can start to feel very anxious. They themselves feel “ready” for the baby, often times are uncomfortable and have difficulty sleeping, and are receiving daily phone calls from friends and family who want to know when the baby is coming.
This pressure can make it difficult for a mother to relax, which is actually the best thing she could be doing for herself after 40 weeks. The more rested she is before she goes into birth, the better she will be able to cope with the process.
In terms of getting her body ready for birth, I recommend the ‘pre-birth’ protocol which is one acupuncture treatment weekly starting at 36 weeks. Starting at 40 weeks, we will begin natural acupuncture induction. Studies have shown that it generally takes atleast 2 treatments and contractions should begin anywhere from 3-60 hours after the second treatment.
Because of my pregnancy specialty, I cater my acupuncture induction treatments based on what you know from your midwife or doctor appointments. I take into consideration where the baby is (what position and what station), how much you are dilated and effaced, and how your contractions are feeling. I also share a meditation with women to help them relax during their treatment. The meditation uses the powerful tool of guided imagery and ends with allowing the body to simply rest. I recommend starting to read it at 36 weeks as a way to prepare for possibly going beyond your due date. If you are already past your due date, you can read this as often as you’d like. Enjoy!
Past the Due Date Meditation
Breathing in, I allow myself to come into this present moment.
I affirm my gratitude for my healthy baby and healthy body.
I allow myself to acknowledge any upset I might feel regarding my baby’s due date and/or my doctor’s/midwife’s suggestions.
I breath into that space and just give myself a moment to be.
(take a few deep breaths here)
When I am ready,
I take a deep breath in and allow myself to imagine my baby.
I say hello to my baby and express my deep love for my baby.
I express thoughts of love and safety for my baby.
I let my baby know “You are welcome to enter this world. We are so eager to meet you.”
I let my baby know “This world is safe and full of love.”
I imagine all the muscles in my body opening easily to allow my baby to begin his/her descent.
I affirm that my baby and my body work in perfect harmony.
(take a few deep breaths here)
Now that I have allowed my imagination to create this image, I allow myself to just relax.
I release any desires and simply allow myself to be.
I release and affirm that I am on my perfect journey.
I take comfort in knowing that I have done all that I can do.
I affirm that there is a greater plan at work in my life and I have faith in it.
In that knowing, I allow myself to rest.
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