5 Ways of Communicating with Your Unborn Baby
Sarah Dickey is an author, APPPAH birth educator, and coach deeply devoted to honoring the evolving woman’s journey. Her latest book, Holding: The Conscious Art of Embracing, is out now.
Until the 1960s, we believed that the expecting mother’s placenta prohibited emotions, experiences, and situations from passing onto the baby. We have debunked this notion, and we now encourage mothers to practice special ways of communicating with their babies throughout pregnancy.
Mommas—your womb is a baby’s first nursery. You are the physical, psychological, and biological home for your child. Your baby is not only having their inherent experience but also your real-time experience. They are collecting their own experiences and relying on you for accurate reflection. Rather than let this knowledge overwhelm us, let’s take a breath and realize it’s not about doing it perfectly but seeking to do it well most of the time.
Imagine that you are six months pregnant, and you had a very stressful day at work. You can feel your blood pressure elevating and the tears stinging just right behind the corners of your eyes. You are irritated and frustrated. You feel overwhelmed. Your baby is doing summersaults in your womb. This is a perfect time to practice new ways of communication and connection with your little one.
When you experience strong emotion, the following small gestures can make a significant difference for you and your babe.
Name It. Take a breath—maybe bring a hand to your womb. Identify what is happening for you and say it out loud to your baby. “Little one, I had such a frustrating day and am feeling very overwhelmed right now.”
Create Safety. Voice assurances. “I want you to know that you are safe. I’ve got you. You don’t need to worry about a thing, little one.”
Accurately Reflect. Continue to communicate with your child as you process your emotions. “I had some really big physiological responses today, little one. I can feel my blood pressure rising, and I want you to know that I can feel you too. I feel you doing summersaults. I am here, and I feel you.”
Have Compassion. Give yourself some compassion, momma. You are doing the best you can. It’s not about being perfect.
