Where do you turn when you need to tap into the most powerful parts of yourself?
One particular day in prenatal yoga class we were blessed with 3 full term mamas – one at 40 weeks, one at 41 weeks, & soon to be 40 weeks! It was magical class & is always such an honor. We can’t say enough how much we love sharing in this space with womxn who are about to be going through the most transformative experience of their lives – childbirth.
You are bringing a new human into the world. And that is AMAZING!!!
One mom asked what #mantras I used during labor. And it took me a while for anything to come to mind. And then I remembered AUM. The universal sound. My contractions came so fast and so quick I felt like I lost myself and had to control getting panicky.
One thing that helped me stay grounded, low, and really in my body (when all you want to do is escape) was – AUM.
To be honest I was full on moaning, not chanting, and at times it felt like that and the water were the only things getting me by.
Chanting is one of the quickest ways to ascension, to elation, and AUM is the perfect way to get there.
So use it when you want peace. And use it when you NEED something stronger than your self (or your body) to get you through.
Aum was definitely my go to during labor, but when I was preparing for labor (and was 41 weeks & 5 days pregnant), I wrote in my journal to help calm me.
This is what I wrote, which I now consider my labor mantras (they got me through what can be equally as challenging – the waiting game, at home induction, and hospital induction!):
Inhale: I trust my body
Exhale: I trust my baby
Release. Forgive. Accept. Let Go. (I wrote this one over & over & over!)
Peaceful. Free. Relaxed. Calm.
Breathe!
Centered.
I also reflected on what is the opposite of pressure (this was actually pressure due to my family & friends feeling anxious about baby taking so long, but it would work for birth pressure too!) and came up with these words:
Ease
Protected
You can use any of the words that resonate, it might be nice to have a list in your hospital bag to turn to! Just pick whichever word(s) resonates at the time, match it/them to your inhale & your exhale.
Technically, a mantra is a word repeated to aid in concentration during meditation.
So when using them in birth, I like to think of them as a way to come back to your calm, peaceful self between contractions. Tune into that part of you that is relaxed & at ease.
Come back to them when you are struggling or doubting. Say them over and over before birth so that by the time labor rolls around, you can relax into them and they already feel familiar to you!
Now it’s your turn! Did you use mantras in a previous labor? Do you have favorites that you plan to use? Let’s share the love by commenting below!
Happy laboring & Namaste!
Jess + Our Yoga