Birth Visualizations for Evie

Here's what I thought about when I was having you, your Daddy helped me remember these when I labored in the pool with you:

See:

• Crystal-clear blue water
• Light shining and bouncing off the clear surface like grandma’s pool
• See straight through the water down to my toes and sand
• Blue waves rolling off the water in the distance
• Rolf reading on the shore
• Look down at my hands on my belly—know the baby we’ve been waiting for is there
• Dark shades where the coral is
• Silouettes of turtles slowly streaming through the water (until I swim up to them, and they start moving faster under me)
• Palm trees, hanging branches, welcoming shade—emerald greens toward the shore
• Sunset—brushes of orange, yellow, red, and purple
• Sun sinking into the horizon as the colors become more vibrant
• Evie in my arms, looking up at me, her head nestled against my chest, holding my finger in her hand, cooing at me.

Jamaica only

• Still waters to my left where the lagoon feeds into the ocean, light emerald green and blue water, very calm, with deeper green pockets and lush tropical greens, inviting shade.

Hawaii only

• Temple behind me, road lined with palm trees, as I take the sandy footpath by the brick wall down to the beach. Turtles swimming by
• Large waves ahead of me, Rolf holding my waist as we jump through each wave and let it take us, turn around and see majestic Kawaa Valley.

Feel:

• Warm ocean water, like I’m in a bathtub
• Gentle waves moving me up and down
• Weightlessness
• Swimming through the water
• Soft sand on my feet, run through my fingers
• Rolf’s hand holding mine, arms around my waist
• Warm sun on my face, shoulders, arms, waist-down in the water
• No stress—getting paid to be away from work, using vacation time, don’t have to go to work
• Gentle wind blowing my hair across my face, I push it back

Hear:

• Tiny splashes as the waves move up against my body and I move through them
• Waves lapping on the shore
• Rolf saying “my beauteous” and “everything’s gonna be alright”
• Dripping as I raise my hands from the water to rub my belly
• Wind gently rushing by my ears
• Ukulele as I look down and have Lets Play Life in my head to play

Smell:

• Salty ocean air
• Fresh and clean
• Barbecue jerk chicken
• Bananas we picked off tree, and bought in Hawaii at vendor and ate with steamed corn
• Coconut shampoo/body wash we used in Hawaii
• Orange-dreamsicle sunscreen

Taste:

• Salt-water on my lips

Sense:

• Everything’s going to be alright
• Open and relaxed
• Each wave brings me closer to Evie
• She’s with me right now, rooting for me (maybe have a picture handy—ultrasound and baby picture of me or Rolf or Caroline/Maddy)
• Women have been doing this for centuries, I’m a part of that history now
• Can’t believe it’s happening—what I’ve wanted to do for years now
• Sacred—like our wedding day
• Let go, ride each wave, let it move me, I’ll be alright, it’s easier than fighting it