Here’s why you need to take charge of your birth and beyond

Even though birth is a natural event and humans have literally been doing it for thousands of years. A LOT of people are not having a good experience on what should be the happiest day of their life. Too many people are heading into birth and postpartum without the right skills and attitude.

You will remember the birth of your baby for the rest of your life and it will dramatically effect your overall experience of parenting in those early weeks.

A pregnancy usually lasts around 9-10 months so you’ll have plenty of time to think about what you’d like for your birth. And although you might not be able to totally plan every little detail… there are some things that are really good to think about.

Knowing what to expect means you can take action to have the right support, practice breathing techniques for birth and also plan to have a more peaceful, fully supported postpartum. The more you can prepare for your birth and early weeks with your baby, the more calm and confident you will feel.

Know your options

Knowledge is power. By researching and understanding what your options are, you can make empowered decisions that feel right for you. If you don’t know your options, you are leaving your fate in the hands of someone else. This is your body and your baby, so become educated so you can make the best decisions.

I encourage you to think about where you want to give birth, who you’d like to support you and what would help you have a better experience giving birth. Learn what is happening physically in your body but also how to trust your intuition so you can switch off your ‘thinking mind’ and trust your instincts.

It’s also good to think about what helps you relax because this may assist you in labour too. Do you like music? What about aromatherapy? Can you use heat to soothe? Do you have access to water like a shower or birth pool? 

You need to take charge of your experience

No one cares more about your health and the health of your baby than YOU. By taking an active role in planning your birth and postpartum, you can work towards making this the best experience for your unique needs.

How would you like to remember the birth of your baby? And what would you like those first weeks postpartum to be like?

Good support is key

This is a life-changing event and the support you receive makes a big difference. It’s important that you feel cared for and supported throughout your whole journey through pregnancy, birth and postpartum.

Would you like to have a midwife, doctor or obstetrician provide your prenatal care? Would you like to have a doula support you during birth? What about after your baby arrives? Who can support you as you transition to becoming a newborn mother?

With the right support this can be the most incredible time of your life.