You may see the BirthWise in Birmingham doulas and other doulas in town wearing colorful shirts with this phrase emblazoned on the front. We designed them because we know that affirmations and encouragement have a powerful effect on a person’s labor. We wanted to wear shirts to births that would inspire our clients and the other people in the room supporting them.
Here’s a little background on why these phrases feel so meaningful to us:
Here’s a little background on why these phrases feel so meaningful to us:
Literally, “to rise up.” Upright positions help the baby out. But to "arise" is also “to emerge.” Such a lovely sounding, active verb--way more graceful than “Get Up!”--and it sets the tone for the whole shirt, which is basically about the transformation of birth.
Blooming is ripeness, opening, change…life. Trees bud, flowers bloom and bear fruit. It’s a subtle reminder that birth is also a natural process that unfolds in its own time. And flowers are always a nice image...
“Arise and Bloom!” is a call to action. We chose a flower that looks like it is standing with arms open…receptive. Be an active participant in your birth, embrace the process, and recognize that all that power and energy you are feeling is YOUR body releasing your baby into the world. Some of our other materials use the slogan “Be IN your birth.” We feel strongly that the mind is an essential component of the labor process. How do you feel about birth? Is it something happening to you, or are you owning it? Are you afraid of opening? Do you see yourself as in control, but are completely unmoored by the feeling of vulnerability during birth? Change and growth are rarely easy or comfortable, but they take us to the next level.
Take a second look at those parentheses. They look like labia, yes? They also resemble a doorway, or gate. They’re representative of both the literal birth passage and the rite of passage. The labia are the final gate that the baby passes through. After opening, after passing through the cervix and the birth canal, it’s the final “doorway” left before the baby emerges (there’s that word again) entirely into this world.
When we see “(Birth Becomes You),” we also envision a person on the threshold of great change. The birth giver makes a transformational journey during labor and birth. The person you used to be is not the same person you will be after giving birth. And you will remember the day you crossed that threshold for the rest of your life.
The parentheses embrace the phrase “Birth Becomes You.” We want to reinforce the message that mentally embracing and engaging in the process of birth is so, so important.
Birth Becomes YOU: During labor, the birthing person’s entire focus is inward, on the physiological process unfolding. Nothing else happening in the entire world matters during labor. It subsumes everything. Only birth matters during those challenging minutes and hours.
...and, Birth BECOMES You: The dual meaning emphasizes how truly beautiful and amazing and powerful a person in labor can be. Although it may be hard for the person who has been working so hard, sweating, shaking, and nauseated to realize, everyone else in the room recognizes this radiance.
Tell us, what phrases or affirmations inspire you?
When we see “(Birth Becomes You),” we also envision a person on the threshold of great change. The birth giver makes a transformational journey during labor and birth. The person you used to be is not the same person you will be after giving birth. And you will remember the day you crossed that threshold for the rest of your life.
The parentheses embrace the phrase “Birth Becomes You.” We want to reinforce the message that mentally embracing and engaging in the process of birth is so, so important.
Birth Becomes YOU: During labor, the birthing person’s entire focus is inward, on the physiological process unfolding. Nothing else happening in the entire world matters during labor. It subsumes everything. Only birth matters during those challenging minutes and hours.
...and, Birth BECOMES You: The dual meaning emphasizes how truly beautiful and amazing and powerful a person in labor can be. Although it may be hard for the person who has been working so hard, sweating, shaking, and nauseated to realize, everyone else in the room recognizes this radiance.
Tell us, what phrases or affirmations inspire you?
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