How To Connect with Baby Inside the Womb
As the pregnant person, you are constantly noticing changes happening in your body and mind as you move through pregnancy. At a certain point, you will feel your baby start to move around, which can be very exciting! I sometimes hear the question, “How can I connect with my baby inside the womb?”. These are ways to connect before and after movement is felt. Here are some of my favorites:
Your little one can start to hear around gestational week 18- you can talk to your babe! Reading them stories, singing to them, and talking to them about your every day doings is a great way to connect. They get to know the sound of your voice (and your partner’s!), and you may even feel them responding to you with a kick. Playing them music is another great way to connect- you may find that they like certain songs more than others based on their movement.
Breathe into your womb. Spending time in meditation or silence can be a wonderful way to connect with your babe because you are tuning into their space and being. This can be a little difficult for people who don’t have experience meditating, so here are my tips: Find a quiet and comfortable space in your home or in nature to sit or lie down. Maybe light a candle or have some quiet instrumental music playing. Place your hand(s) over your womb and take some time to send your body and baby some gratitude. You can do this at any point in your pregnancy!
Tell them about the birth process and what is going to happen- you can explain your ideal birth plan/physiological birth and if things change in labor, you can ALWAYS take the time you need to explain the changes in plan. After all, they will be working with you to be born.
Touch them! It can be comforting to them to get little baby massages inside the womb. Rub your belly with massage oil and have your partner join in if they feel comfortable.
Depending on how you feel about them, ultrasounds can be a great way to connect because you can see them with your own eyes. Make sure to get those photos and stick them up on your fridge or mirror to see them every day.
There are many other ways to connect to your growing baby, such as having a baby shower/blessingway, letting loved ones touch your belly, going on trips to the zoo or aquarium while you are pregnant, maternity photoshoots, and body/energy work. Partners can join in on any of these, and I encourage them to do so since they aren’t experiencing pregnancy directly.