The first imprint: Understanding birth energy & why it matters.
The energetic beginning
Before we took our first breath, before we had names or even thoughts, we were already absorbing the world around us. In the womb, our mother’s emotions, stress levels, love, and fears communicated directly with our tiny, forming bodies. This energetic exchange leaves what many call a ‘birth imprint’, a subtle but profound blueprint that influences how we experience the world once we are in it.
To simplify a little, before you were born you had absorbed all of these things from your mother - do you know what her pregnancy was like? Have you spoken to her about your birth?
And now, you have carried this your whole life, it has formed your decisions and influenced how you move through the world. This doesn’t mean it’s forever though, you are in a position where you can choose to continue life as it is, and to pass these imprints on to your children, or you can consciously decide to do things differently.
Enter the concept of birth energy, the first imprint, and how those earliest experiences can shape our lives today. We’ll also explore ways to reconnect with and reprogram this energetic foundation through conscious practices like breathwork.
What is birth energy?
Birth energy refers to the subtle energetic and emotional atmosphere we are immersed in from conception through birth.
It includes things like the vibrational field created by our mother’s emotions and environment, relationship dynamics between parents or caregivers as well as events or trauma during pregnancy and delivery
Our nervous system and subconscious mind begin forming long before we develop rational thought. Think about little babies, they don’t need to understand language to internalize whether they are safe, loved, or wanted. That imprint goes deep, becoming a reference point for how they navigate life.
The first imprint: Energetic programming before birth
Many clinical studies now show that our experiences in the womb influence everything from temperament to stress resilience.
It sounds pretty obvious if you think about it, if a mother experiences chronic stress or fear, while pregnant - living in that fight of flight mode - then the fetus may develop a heightened sensitivity to danger. Or for example if a pregnancy is unplanned or emotionally charged, the baby may later carry an unconscious belief of being unwanted or unsafe. Of course this would never be intentionally passed on from mother to child, there is so much that transfers subconsciously.
This of course extends to the birth itself, regardless of whether it was rushed, traumatic, or peaceful - all can affect how your baby will then transition through life changes, start new projects, or handle endings.
Why it matters in adulthood
These imprints don't disappear, they will form the foundation of our subconscious beliefs as we move through life. This could look like a child who is born into chaos may grow into an adult who finds peace ‘boring’ or even unsafe. Alternatively a baby who felt emotionally disconnected might struggle with intimacy or vulnerability. Even situations that are seemingly out of our control, like an emergency intervention during birth can imprint and show up again during their life - perhaps through resisting help or feeling the need for lots of control in situations.
When we encounter repetitive emotional patterns or self-sabotage in adulthood, the root can often be traced back to these unconscious energetic memories.
Can we change the imprint?
The beautiful truth is: yes. Our brains and bodies have an incredible ability to rewire and heal.
Neuroplasticity shows that we can create new neural pathways through intentional practices, this is especially true in early life.
Breathwork helps access the subconscious and somatic memory, allowing us to release stuck energy from the body.
Inner child healing invites us to reparent ourselves with the love, safety, and presence we may have missed.
When we engage in this healing, we don’t just change our lives, we break patterns for future generations. It’s truly a double positive - you heal and you are setting your child up for the best possible future.
Our first imprint may not be something we remember with words, but our bodies remember. Our nervous systems remember. And healing begins when we choose to look inward with curiosity rather than blame.
If you're ready to explore your birth energy and begin rewriting your energetic story, join me for a breathwork session or download our free womb healing meditation here.