Baby Visualisation

by Suzanne Swan

We all have the capacity to visualise. Did you know that conjuring up an image of your baby during labour can help you remember what the powerful sensations your experiencing are all about. Try this visualisation practice during your pregnancy to help create a deeper bond with your baby.

Slow your breathing down and perform a body scan, allowing tension to melt away from your physical body. With your mind quiet, imagine your emotions and physical state connected to an internal volume knob that you can slowly and gently turn down. Use all your senses to create an image of your baby. Bring this image into your mind’s eye. See the colour and softness of your baby’s hair, smell your baby’s skin and observe your baby’s fingers and toes. Hear your baby’s breathing and feel their breath on your skin. Imagine the warmth of your baby and the heaviness of them as they lay calm and asleep on your chest. Take a full breath in and a slow breath out and let a gentle smile arise on your lips. Feel your heart filled with happiness and peacefulness. Send that smile to your baby, welcoming your baby into your life. Rest now with your baby, paying attention to what your inner voice is telling you. Give you and your baby plenty of time to take it all in.

in a little while, return the image of your baby to your womb and give thanks for the simple reality of having this baby in your life and having your heart open to that reality.