Visualization Exercises for Pregnant Women http://doulatraininghq.com/

1. By Mark W Greenberg

2. Using mental images can help you focus your
attention in whatever way works best for you. You
can use the following ideas, for example, when
you want to create your birth space, choose your
birth partner, and prepare your baby for the birth.
You can play around with these ideas and create
any visualization you want.

3. To do these visualizations, you need to be in the
last couple of weeks of your pregnancy you don't
want to start focusing on labor before then. You
also will find it helpful to practice them with
your birth partner who can perhaps even read out
the scripts to you. That way your partner will get
to know what you are going to be doing in labor

4. Breathe deeply, and when you feel relaxed, begin to
be aware of your baby in your womb. Imagine how
she is moving down into your pelvis and getting into
a good position for labor Feel your cervix softening
and thinning. Feel your body preparing. How is your
body preparing? How is your mind preparing? What
are you finding helpful? How are you feeling about
the birth? Are you looking forward to it? Are you
afraid? Are you feeling ready to let go of your baby
and allow her out into the world? Is there anything
you feel is blocking you from going into labor?

5. Childbirth is traditionally divided into
three stages although I have added a
fourth -greeting your baby. During the
first, uterine contractions fully dilate
the cervix. In the second, the baby
passes out of the uterus, down the
birth canal and into the outside world.
In the third, the placenta is delivered.
It is helpful to practise some
breathing for each before birth.

6. The five elements used in Chinese medicine
offer a way to connect with different energies
in the body, which affect us physically and
emotionally. Each element is characterized by
a color or colors; is associated with a
particular organ or organs and bodily function;
encompasses a human experience; and is
represented by a major body component. You
can spend time with each element in nature
such as sitting alongside a stream or fire and
you also can use them in visualizations.