What's your mantra?

virginiaunicorn11 · March 2015

Do you have a mantra or quote or whatever that gets you through life, pregnancy, or that you have used/are planning to use for labor?

finchfeeder80 · March 2015

I haven't yet considered a mantra for labor, but I often say (especially when half training got up to the bigger distances and the day of): "I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar." I will probably get a tattoo of it one day. It's from Firefly.

virginiaunicorn11 · March 2015

Currently, I most often tell myself, "It's all going to work out" regarding some life change stresses.

Other favorites, for blah pregnancy days:

From Gretchen Rubin: Sometimes happiness doesn't FEEL happy.

From my Grandma: This too shall pass.

Seeking some for labor. Current favorite from Ina May's book: "You're gonna get huge!" (Re: dilated cervix)

FloGirl82 · March 2015

Just go with the flow.

Time heals.

ksimo6 · March 2015

I can do anything for _____ weeks.

If I'm having a rough day, that is what I tell myself. It helps me put my big girl panties on and deal.

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

@finchfeeder80 - I read your quote aloud and my hubs knew immediately what it was from (I knew he would). Two thumbs up from us geeks :-bd

All of mine come from books -
"Death is light as a feather. Duty, as heavy as a mountain" from the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
"Bring honor to my house" from Daughter of the Empire series by Raymond E Feist
"Ka" from The Dark Tower series by Stephen King.
I tend to use them when I need to put my chin up in life, or just simply, accept. I don't know about one specifically for labor but the death / duty one might work.
I also have a Julian of Norwich keychain (even tho I am not religious at all - but Julian is the Patron Saint of Cats, and supposedly, travelers) that has a wonderful quote "All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well." And I tend to throw that out when I am stressed, worried, or sad.

KaLikeAWind · March 2015

P.s. - nice thread idea @amark11

seesea · March 2015

This time around I'm going to attempt a VBAC. So I've been listening to hypnobabies joyful affirmations. I've also been thinking of buying or making affirmation cards to have visual reminders.

Here are a few from the Birth Without Fear blog that I like:

My body is capable and strong.

My baby knows how to be born.

Vaginas do open. Babies do come out.

karaelaine1991 · March 2015

When I'm going through a difficult/stressful time, I alternate between "By this time next ____ (week, month, etc), this will all be over!" or "God got me through ____, He'll get me through this!" Both help me recognize that whatever I'm going through is only temporary, even if it seems never-ending, and that before long things will look up

lovethatcolosun · March 2015

My two favorites are,
"This too shall pass" and
"Suffering is optional"

For birthing I use,
"Peace" and "Open, open, open" (in relation to dilation)

aj1327 · March 2015

My mom used to always say, "Happiness is a chioce you make." That's something I try to hold on to. Especially when I'm feeling down in the dumps.

I also like, "Fake it till you make it!"

KarasTwin · March 2015

Whenever I second guess myself (which is quite often) I remember what my granny used to say. "Just act like you've got good sense". I never thought to ask her exactly what she meant by that but to me it's kinda like fake it till you make it. If you believe in yourself, others will believe in you.

frankengibbs · March 2015

"Take what hurts you and let it help you...To be stronger, kinder, gentler and wiser." Is my life mantra. I use it to remind myself to move forward and to not let the things that are hard in life distort me as a person. I have been reminding myself of this a lot since April will be the one year mark of my best friend's murder and what was supposed to be the EDD of my first baby.

As for pregnancy, I'm not sure I have much of a mantra other than that I remind myself that in less than ___ weeks I will get to hold my sweet baby girl and that all of the hard things DH and I went through this past year will feel worth it.

Serenamarr · March 2015

Hurrah for a positive, uplifting thread!

In daily life, I am constantly telling myself "It's not that big of a deal." My fiancé tends to get very worked up over things, so I have to take the position of saying, "no big deal!" to calm us both. Ex: He had a very long day yesterday, then on the way to birthing class, a road was closed, we hit 3 train crossings, and every red light. We were 30 minutes late to class, and though it was frustrating, I did not let it get to me and said "it doesn't matter!!! Well get there when we get there." I know that when I am stressed, the adrenaline spikes cause the same reaction in baby. So I refuse to allow silly things to get to me! It's great practice for labor.

From grandma: "90% of the things you spend time and energy worrying about never happen anyway." And we mamas need to save up our energy!

And if you are religious, this one has always helped me with fear. "Nothing I fear is greater than Him." Meaning, Jesus conquered death, so with him on my side, I can get through anything!

And I agree with PP that "I can do anything for (x amount of time)" is a great one I will use in labor.

virginiaunicorn11 · March 2015

Serenamarr said:
Hurrah for a positive, uplifting thread!

In daily life, I am constantly telling myself "It's not that big of a deal." My fiancé tends to get very worked up over things, so I have to take the position of saying, "no big deal!" to calm us both. Ex: He had a very long day yesterday, then on the way to birthing class, a road was closed, we hit 3 train crossings, and every red light. We were 30 minutes late to class, and though it was frustrating, I did not let it get to me and said "it doesn't matter!!! Well get there when we get there." I know that when I am stressed, the adrenaline spikes cause the same reaction in baby. So I refuse to allow silly things to get to me! It's great practice for labor.

From grandma: "90% of the things you spend time and energy worrying about never happen anyway." And we mamas need to save up our energy!

And if you are religious, this one has always helped me with fear. "Nothing I fear is greater than Him." Meaning, Jesus conquered death, so with him on my side, I can get through anything!

And I agree with PP that "I can do anything for (x amount of time)" is a great one I will use in labor.

Is your DH cool with that? Mine is the total opposite from me, so while I need a quick reminder that it's NBD, he hates if I don't just let him lose it for a moment. Once he gets it out, he moves on pretty quick. (Not instantly, but faster than if I keep saying something encouraging!) We've been together 10 years, and this is one of the hardest things for me in our relationship.

Serenamarr · March 2015

@amark11 It's not so much the saying things out loud to calm him as it is just maintaining a calm overall attitude. I've noticed if I just exude peace and don't react to him getting stressed, it passes much quicker. Much of the time especially this pregnancy he gets angry in my defense, or because he thinks I'm going to be upset, so when I'm not, he kind of just lets it go. With stuff with his job, which can be a huge stress for him, I just always look on the bright side and explain why something is not as bad as it seems and while yes it may be an annoyance xyz positive could come out of it. He responds well to that.

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