Patient, Confident, and Purposeful waiting for your baby to be born

By Anne Homan CD(DONA)

Are you tired and uncomfortable at the end of your pregnancy? Do you want to hurry things along so you will not feel pregnancy discomfort, and finally be able to sleep on your back again?
 
Are you hearing comments from people that are NOT helpful and only leave you feeling discouraged? Comments like:

 “You have not had that baby yet? You must be exhausted!”
 
“You are not dilated at all yet?”
 
“You look like you are about to POP!”
 
Have you been feeling the pressure to be induced with no medical reasoning, but “just because” you are a magical 40 weeks? (This can be encouraged even sooner in some cases).
 
​If any of these things speak to you then this read is for you. Numerous moms have described the things above (and more), and I have written a poem to encourage those who are at this stage in their pregnancy.
 
​This poem is meant to remind you that birth is a normal physiological process, and assuming that there are no complications or health concerns for you or your baby, there is great purpose that takes place when you wait for your baby to come when he or she is ready. Also, it is easy to feel discouraged at the end of your pregnancy, or even at the beginning stages of labor, when your body does not perform to the expectations of yourself or those around you. Maybe you don’t seem to be progressing enough, and it is easy to feel like your body is broken. I would like to remind you that each body and birth is different, and I want you to stay encouraged through it all and trust the process, and trust in what your body is designed to do. So here is my doula encouragement while you patiently, confidently, and purposefully wait for your baby to be born!

37 weeks and counting.
You are excited for each weekly check.
Is there any “progress” from last time?
Is my baby ready to be born yet?
 
Your body is perfect.
It knows exactly what to do.
If your cervix is not thinning,
It may be softening first, or changing positions to help later on for you.
 
Your cervix is not broken.
It will thin out and open as it is ready.
Preparing for birth is a process
that has to be taken nice and steady.
 
Good work is happening with your body
and your baby too, you know.
He is storing up iron and fat stores
and continuing to perfect his suck and swallow.
 
Your baby’s brain is growing rapidly.
Such purposeful work every day!
And he is working on the best position for birth.
Your body helps him find the right way.
 
And his health is being strengthened
by taking in each last minute antibody.
Your body knows just what to do
to prepare the way for your baby.
 
Inside your uterus
your baby is perfectly safe, and warm.
His lungs are being prepared for life
and will send a signal when he is ready to be born.
 
Please know that your body is capable.
It is so perfectly designed.
Your baby may not be here now,
but his birth will be perfectly timed.
 
To all the mamas who are waiting
I am thinking of YOU!
I want to send you a little encouragement
and hope it will carry you through!
 

Photo by Graceful-Light photography

This photo of Sarah captures a beautiful mama and friend who patiently awaited the arrival of her son and says, "I am giving up on my schedule, agenda, and my time and saying God you are in control of his arrival. You plan this grand entrance."