There are many tried and true ways to go through natural childbirth with a minimum of pain. Personal visualizations are one of the ways that worked for me. Originally I began with Hypnobirthing classes which incorporated both self hypnosis and visualization techniques. I am a strong believer in mind over body. When the time came and the contractions began, my mind instantly switched over to visualization mode after 9 months of training and visualizing.

Choose a visualization that works best for you. Some choose beautiful ocean settings, some a quiet dark forest with soothing cool breezes, you get the idea. Begin as soon after conception as possible. Lie down in a peaceful place and be sure that for the duration of your meditation/visualization you will be uninterrupted. Turn off the phone, put the dog and cat outside and send your significant other to the store to buy chocolate bon bons. Experiment with different music and aromas. What worked best for me was gentle guitar solos, acoustic not electric! The specific aroma that helped me relax was a strange, yet calming mix of Lavender and Lemon Verbena. There are many candles that emit just the right amount of scent for the newly pregnant (too strong, and you are off to morning sickness world again).

When you have found just the right combination of music and scent, begin by counting backwards from 10 in your mind. With each number, build your scene. On 10, create the general surroundings of your visualization, for example place the trees in the forest around you. On 9, choose the colors for the trees leaves. On 8, is the ground soft and cool leaves or clean smelling grass? On 7, is the wind gently blowing or is there no breeze at all? On 6, what sounds of the forest are you hearing? On 5, are there animals in the forest with you? On 4, is there a stream in the distance? On 3, begin feeling the peace of your surroundings. On 2, lie down on the forest floor and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth in long, deep breaths. On 1, let the visualization envelop you.

Whew! Okay, almost took myself there with you for a moment. I'm back now. After two or three tries, usually you can find the perfect environment to sustain you through your labor. Practice each day of your pregnancy. Later in the second and through the third trimester you can also bring your unborn child/children with you into the visualization as a way to bond. My little girl to this day (6 yrs later) still talks about how she wants to go to the, "pretty place with flowers we used to go when I was in your belly". I have never spoken a word to her about my natural birth visualization, but that's a whole other story!

When labor begins in approximately nine months (give or take), lie down and begin counting backwards. Your consistant practice will pay off now as your mind goes to your place and allows your body to do all the hard work without you. It worked wonders for me. Give it a whirl!