Joyous Birth - An Affirmation

Photograph by Katelyn Demidow

Joyous Birth

Birth is joyful

I look forward to it

My baby grows 

My body grows

The anticipation grows

The first tightening begins

I learn from them

How to relax

How to let go

How to give in to the birth as it unfolds

I listen to my body

Resting

Moving

Eating

Tuning in

Letting go of fear

Letting go of control

Simply riding the waves of labor

I allow labor to grow stronger

I am not fearful

But fearless

Joyful

Excited

Powerful

My body works

My baby works

I work

It isn't always easy

But there are always breaks

Rests between the work

Calm within the storm

The baby moves

Down and out

I open

It takes time

I accept that time

It prepares me

It prepares my baby

It is part of the process

I find joy in the moments with my partner

My family

My care provider

And within myself

I find my strength

I didn't know it was there

Transition

From woman to mother

Man to father

Two to three

Closer to my baby

The intensity is normal

I accept it

It may not be easy

But it will be worth it

Pushing

Powerful

Expectation

So close to my baby

So close to the finish

Hard work

With my body

And my baby

The first moments apart

But still together

Pulsing

Triumphant

Joyful

Birth