Safety
This week I’m thinking about something that plays a massive role in how you experience pregnancy and birth - safety. Your sense of safety plays a huge role in how you move through an experience. I recently spoke with a mother who needed a surgical procedure following the birth of her daughter. Something that could very understandably be perceived as scary, unexpected, a negative - she actually described so positively because she felt SAFE. She described how the staff explained everything to her, their calm demeanour. She had a smile on her face as she told me she loved overhearing their routine safety checks and their casual chats about upcoming holidays. Her experience shows the importance of the basics of care - informed consent, clear communication and great teamwork. I hope it’s helpful to hear of a positive experience but I’m acutely aware this is not everyone’s story. Whatever your experience of safety in pregnancy and birth, I hope these journal prompts will help you engage with what you’ve been through.
Let’s get started…
Today I feel…
3 things that made me feel safe and secure this week are…
My safe space is… Describe it in as much detail as you can. Think about why you feel safe there.
When you’re ready…
Was there a time when you felt unsafe or scared? (Could be pregnancy related or not.) What made you feel that way? What might have made you feel more safe in that moment?
Do you have any unpleasant memories from your journey through pregnancy and birth that linger or come to mind in an unwanted way? Have you ever discussed that memory with someone?
What scares you? Is that something that encroaches on your life? Is there a way you can diminish that fear?
Whether you moved through all these prompts or just picked those most accessible or relevant to you, I hope you feel proud of taking some time for yourself today! Taking time to prioritise yourself is never a mistake, I hope this was helpful for you and there is plenty more to come.