Giving birth

Make sure you prepare yourself to ensure a stress-free birth

Good birth preparation is so important, to build confidence in your ability to give birth.

Understanding the process of labour and birth goes a long way to helping you feel secure, confident and positive about it, it's important to get your head in the right place, and to learn how you can work with your body, not against it, to deliver your baby.

Relax

Relaxation, breathing and creative visualisation can help you to slow down and focus on the birth as well as equip you with tools to use to help you on the day.

The principles of active birth will help you stay mobile and encourage upright positions during labour and even birth. Yoga based antenatal exercises classes are a good way to prepare your body for labour & delivery.

Choose a venue

Where will you have your baby? You may be able to choose between a home or hospital birth. Or have your baby in a Midwife-Led centre or unit.

The choices available will depend on your health and the progress of your pregnancy-discuss this with your GP or midwife early in pregnancy.

Midwives

Most women in the UK are cared for in labour by a midwife. Midwives are the experts in normal labour and are trained to spot any problems which may need a doctor's attention.

Put your trust in your midwife and let her help you keep your labour as natural and intervention free as possible.

Take care

It's called labour for a reason! It really takes it out of you, so rest, eat well and take appropriate exercise throughout pregnancy so your body can perform at its best!

Birth partner

Choose your birth partner wisely! It doesn't have to be your husband or boyfriend-it can be a friend, mum, sister or a trained birth attendant such as a doula.

Interventions

Intervention is not always appropriate and sometimes unnecessary - do ask questions of whoever is looking after you. It's important you understand what's happening. Interventions may include induction of labour, medications, artificially breaking the waters or instrumental delivery such as ventouse.

Many interventions are very necessary on the other hand if labour is not progressing normally, and are the reason why so many mums & babies have fantastic outcomes compared to many years ago. Midwives and doctors work as a team to ensure the safety of mum and baby, and a well timed procedure can help keep labour on track.

Make it a positive experience

Many mothers have wonderful memories of their labour and birth as a positive, life-changing event. Others are left with negative feelings about their experience which can remain for many years.

Talking about your birth experience with a health professional can help resolve any unhappy feelings you may have.

By Vicki Scott RM of babyconfidence.co.uk