Here’s some tips to help you achieve a positive birth outcome:
- Access the right antenatal education – NHS and NCT do have a place in terms of letting you know the mechanics and covering the basics of birth (and you might make some very nice friends there) but they don’t help you get informed to make your choices for positive birth. The classes below all offer something different and what suits one person may not suit someone else so go with what you believe is good for you. Look into the following classes in your area and ask your friends:
- Positive Birth Movement (details of the Edinburgh group here)
- Hypnobirthing classes/Wise Hippo Classes
- Daisy Foundation classes
- Pregnancy yoga (such as Yogabellies or other good pregnancy yoga classes)
- Active birth classes
- Antenatal Evenings
- If you’ve had a difficult birth or are feeling particularly anxious – consider enlisting specialist support or a doula (see 3 below). EFT can be amazing to help with specific fears but others might find counselling a better option. I offer an effective Birth Coaching Programme which is particularly good for those with significant fears or trauma.
- Consider getting birth support. The evidence around doula support is gaining momentum. If you’re not clear why you should hire a doula when a midwife is free – check this out.
- Birth planning – I know the technical term for this is now birth preferences. Why…. because there’s some opinion somewhere that if you don’t get what you planned for you feel that you’ve failed… I don’t agree… We have a vision in our head and it’s not the bit of paper that makes us think we’ve failed. This is a positive document as you can take into account all the various scenarios that could happen and plan for them – including planning a c-section. The best plan I saw was a mum who thought it all through…. “in this situation, I would want a c-section”…..
- Create a plan for Dad/Birth Partner – I know this might sound crazy – give them a plan of what you expect from them, where things are (especially during a home birth so they know where everything is and what to do should you need to transfer in), what you need from them, how they can support you. Often it’s the dads left in the corner, not sure what to do, then becoming dis-associated from the birthing process.
- Physical activity – keep active in your birth. It will help get your baby into a good position – specifically recommended – walking, swimming, pregnancy yoga and squats – Ina May Gaskins says, “Squat 300 times a day, and you’re going to give birth quickly. I really couldn’t recommend this enough. 300 squats may feel excessive, but as many as you can – even if you manage 10/20/30 every day – you’re doing well.
- Eat dates in your pregnancy – this small study highlighted how helpful dates are in your pregnancy
- Read the RIGHT books and website – I’ve got a list of books in my recommended reading under Links and Resources
- During the birth – take control of the birth environment – these are EASY things to do to help
- Consider having a homebirth or birth in a midwife lead unit/birth centre – the birthplace study is a really helpful resource to help you with your options
- Get informed – a positive birth isn’t always where a birth has ended vaginally – a positive birth for me is where a women has taken control and made the decisions that she feels confident in. Birthrights offer some amazing factsheets about your rights and here’s what I wish I’d know about birth.
- BRAINS – without a doubt – the most valuable tool (pen and paper too so help get it all out) – Benefits, Risks, Alternative, Instinct, doing Nothing and what is the Science (ie not what the guidelines are but the SCIENCE behind those guidelines as guidelines ARE NOT evidence based)
Having a positive birth isn’t rocket science. It’s someone everyone can achieve regardless of where you give birth or mode of delivery. You can achieve a positive birth.
Much love, Tricia xxx
