January 6, 2014

Since this is the week leading up to my due date (oh my goodness!), I thought it would be fitting to spend it posting a few thoughts on preparing for labor and birth.. one of my favorite subjects. If you aren't interested in that sort of thing, rest assured that I have some yummy recipe posts coming and more gut health FAQ's waiting in the wings. So hang in there! Also, as you guys can probably guess, when the baby arrives, I will be posting sporadically and keeping things very short and sweet while I hang out, heal, and nurse the newest little person in our house.

A while ago, I received a great email question from a reader:
I know that when you prepared for Hadley's arrival, you meditated on a lot of scripture. Would you be willing to share what verses you used? As I prepare for my first birth, I would love to have some insight from another mom who has used this strategy. 

My answer: Yes! 1,000 times yes. Birth is something that sends my mind reeling. If I didn't keep my thoughts under control with the Word, I would be lost to fear, worry, doubt, and dread. During my pregnancies I've relied heavily on some hand-written notecards with bible verses, hymn lyrics, and favorite quotes as I mentally prepared for labor. Spending the weeks leading up to Hadley's birth dwelling on these truths made such a difference when I was actually in labor. I drew snippets from my memory each time a contraction would start. It was my coping mechanism, and Jesus sustained me with His truth and strength. "I can bear it all, for Jesus suffered, and He suffers in me now; He sympathizes with me, and this makes me strong." Believer, lay hold of this in all times of agony. Let the thought of Jesus strengthen you as you follow in His steps. Find a sweet support in His sympathy." -C.H. Spurgeon

Here's a list of verses that I used (and am still using to prepare for this birth), as well as some more quotes from Spurgeon that are near and dear to my heart. Most of these verses have to do with fear, burdens, peace, and the promise of His help, strength, and power in times of need.


I'm reminding myself, and encouraging you, if you are looking forward to a birth or any big undertaking soon, to read these promises, take them back to the Great Promiser, and ask Him to fulfill His word. Plead His written promises and He will perform them.

7 comments:

Natalie said...

thank you! I'm 6 weeks from my due date (with my first) and starting to think about how to prepare for labor. Eager to hear what else you have to say on the subject!

Anneliese said...

yes! love this. i've been praying for an awesome birth experience for you! can't wait to hear about it.

Laura Railing said...

Love this! I still cherish the verses and quotes on notecards I have from our second birth. Do you have any favorite songs you used with Hadley's birth or are using with this time?

Laura Murphy said...

This is so good Summer. I love your heart for the Lord.

I would add that having something to smell (a flower, lavender, or any essential oil that helps you stay calm and focused) is a good idea.

Also to remember that we are under the blessing now, not under the curse.

And one last thing - do you practice motor-boating? I think that's what it's called. It's blowing air through your lips to relax the cervix. I know it sounds strange but something about relaxing the jaw helps with labor and delivery! A friend gave me this tip before I had Malachi, and I do think it helped things progress. (motor-boating while visualizing your baby moving down).

Praying for you.

L.

faith ann raider said...

This is so beautiful!! I had some awesome birth experiences where I felt God so very near to me - and moments when I felt He have me just the wisdom I needed to let my labor and delivery go quickly, and others that were less-than-awesome. I love everything about your attitude towards this birth - as someone with five kids - and a case of the baby bug ever so badly - this just warms me through and through. :) I'll be praying for you!

Jenna said...

Hi Summer! I'm excited for your posts this week - pregnancy and childbirth are a favorite topic of mine too! I also wanted to let you know that I used your 50 promises cards as one of my labor tools during my recent labor with my second baby (this past November). It was great mental preparation to go through and select a subset of verses to.refer to during labor and they turned out to be so helpful to me during my actual labor. I had a successful VBAC and truly feel the 50 promises verses helped me achieve this. Thank you! And all the best to you with your second baby - can't wait to hear news of his/her arrival!

Madonaldo said...

Don’t think of anything else just contact Dr Abalaka and purchase some of his herbal medication and your depression will go away. This was my state of mind when my doctor told me that i will not be able to conceive due to the Fibroid that was rolling in my family life and when i decide to reach out to the priest, and the Priest told me what to do in other to get the medication. Eventually I receive all the Herbal medications that cure my Fibroid and give me the chance to become a proud mother: Dr Abalaka is a great spiritualist, He did it for me, you can contact Dr on (dr.abalaka@outlook.com). If you are suffering from the following gynecology disease::
Fibroid
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Diabetes
Infection, regular body pains
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Cyst from the ovaries
Unpleasant smell from the virginal
Irregular menstruation
Weakness of the penis (not able to have sex with your partner or inability to satisfy your partner sexually)
Watering sperm (low sperm count) not able to get woman pregnant.
Infertility for easy Conception.......
Erectile dysfunction treatment
Skin diseases, Toilet infection and bad body odor…….Etc..
Get your ex back
Happiness in relationship
Command respect in the society
Enlarge your Penis/breast with no side effect
Impotent solution
Obesity solution
Romanticism solutions
Cancer of the blood
Parkinson disease
General consultation
Those are the things he does, You can simply contact the spiritualist Dr Abalaka on (dr.abalaka@outlook.com) to get his Herbal Medication to cure your disease and put yourself on a motherhood side of life..

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about this blog

Hello, I'm Summer. A people-loving introvert whose hope and life is in Jesus. His promises are my passion and my ministry is homelife. This blog is a place for me to write about everyday things. Especially food. My favorite thing to do is sit around a table, lingering over a long meal with good conversation. I live with my husband and our 2 littles. We like blizzards, thrifting, grammar, guacamole, cheerful hearts, nice manners, good movies, and making simple, real, nutrient-dense food.

"If Christ be anything, He must be everything."
-C.H. Spurgeon

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