I feel open and expansive when I am grounded. I feel contracted and tight when I am fearful and flighty.

I’m endeavouring to keep this whole month’s affirmations relevant to everyone whether pregnant or not but bring a hypnobirthing teacher and someone obsessed by all things birth and committed to women’s well-being, it’s hard not to make specific mention to birth with this one.

I am O.P.E.N…. say it loud, say it proud. For you truly are opening up for birth. Remember the Ina May adage, “I am gonna get HUGE!” The words we say have a physical effect on our body. Just as our body language has an effect on our mind (have you seen the Amy Cuddy TED talk about Power Poses? If not – go and watch it IMMEDIATELY!)

Being open with birth also means being open to the journey that lays before you. Being open to the journey means adapting to each step on that journey.

Agreeing to using pain relief or medical intervention may be a step on that journey. It doesn’t mean you’re giving up, giving in, forfeiting your rights or abandoning your instincts. It means you are a free thinking woman, able to take responsibility for the path you are treading bringing your baby into the world.

Hypnobirthing is not about a particular kind of birth, it’s about a particular kind of woman approaching birth. A strong, determined woman making good decisions for her and her child; not based on fear but information and instinct.

Is there anything that has you feeling tight and contracted at the moment? What can you bring an openness to today?