3 Tips for a Peaceful & Empowering Birth

It all comes down to one thing. Mindset.

For some people, breathing through contractions, roaring through transition, and catching their own baby on their bathroom floor at home sounds like a dream. And for others, that would be a nightmare.

For some, a c-section birth is the thing they dread most, while others find comfort in knowing what to expect in a relatively controlled environment.

The thing is, it's not about what type of birth you have but rather how you experience it. That's what makes all the difference.

Whether you're having a home birth or a hospital birth, medicated or unmedicated, vaginal or c-section, it is possible to have a peaceful and empowering birth experience.

Here are 3 specific things you can do to make this happen for you:

1. Learn, Learn, Learn

Remember, knowledge is power. Educate yourself on the type of birth you want to have and the type of birth you might end up having. Learn how the process typically goes. Learn what might happen in case of emergency. One of my favorite resources for prepping for a vaginal birth is Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. It's full of tons of birth stories that really give you different perspectives on how birth can go, so that if it happens to you, you're not blindsided by it.

2. Speak Up for Yourself

We do not have control over how our birth experience goes, but we do have influence. Your opinions, priorities, and comforts matter. I also recommend having someone on your support team (a doula if you're brand new, potentially your partner if you've given birth before) who knows your birth preferences and can advocate on your behalf.

3. Practice Being Present in Your Body

The mind can be a million miles away, but the body is always right here, so your job is to practice bringing the mind in line with the body. My life is happening right here, right now can be a helpful mantra for this.

Author: Sarah Almodovar from sarahjoalmo

Instagram: @sarahjoalmo