At BetaLife, we are huge fans of visualisation, and really believe in it's benefits. But now I have just seen first hand how effective it can be during pregnancy and labour.

As you may recall, one of my best friends was pregnant. Well, I am happy to report that she is now mummy to a beautiful little boy! She is quite petite, so had always been quite concerned about giving birth. I think it's a concern for every woman, trying to work out how something so big can make it out at all!

From the moment she found out she was pregnant, she was meditating twice a day for 20 minutes each time. Throughout the meditation, she would concentrate on visualising a calm and happy labour. She had also done a course which explained the birthing process with a more holistic approach, and with that came some additional mediational CDs that she used.

She said she tried to recreate in her head the ideal labour, where her body and her baby worked together throughout the delivery. She reassured herself and her baby that it was a natural process, and imagined everything running smoothly. She also spent a lot of time talking to her baby and developing a bond.

Well, early yesterday morning, she went into labour. And by 1.30pm, she had delivered her healthy baby boy. And how did she described the birth? She said it was everything she hoped it would be. Everything went exactly as she had visualised it, and she really enjoyed the experience.

Has anyone else had an experience like that? Do you believe in the power of visualisation?