6 Things That Actually Help Make Birth Easier
There’s no one magic trick for an easier birth, but there ARE things that can help set you up for a more positive experience. From preparing before labor to choosing the right support and staying flexible, here’s what I want every parent to know.
So...Can You Actually Make Birth Easier?
As a labor and delivery nurse, I’ve helped hundreds of moms give birth, and I wish I could tell you there was ONE thing that worked every single time.
Do this position. Take this supplement. Follow these five steps and BOOM, perfect birth.
Yeah...no.
There isn't one thing that works for absolutely everybody. But there ARE things that can help set you up for a more positive birth experience.
And a lot of it starts before labor even begins.
1. Prepare, But Be Picky About Where You Get Your Information
We have SO much information at our fingertips now.
Don’t get me wrong, this is amazing, but in the same breath, it can also be just a little terrifying.
Because anybody with a camera and a microphone can say whatever they want with their full chest.
And your algorithm? She's taking notes.
You watch one negative induction story. Then another video about oxytocin. Then suddenly your entire feed is basically telling you oxytocin is the worst thing to ever exist.
Meanwhile, for the right person, at the right time and for the right indication, oxytocin can be a really useful labor tool.
That's why I want you learning from people who are credentialed and using evidence-based information.
And when you see something online that makes you think, Wait...should I be worried about this?
Bring it to your health care provider.
Use social media as a conversation starter, not as personalized medical advice. Your provider knows YOU, your pregnancy and your specific situation.
And once you’ve found information you can actually trust, the next step is making sure you’re not the only one who knows it.
2. Take That Prenatal Course
And please, bring your partner or whoever is going to be supporting you during birth.
They need to know what to expect too.
They need to know what you want.
Because there may come a point during labor when they need to become your biggest advocate.
And while you’re preparing for birth, don’t stop there. Learn about breastfeeding. Learn about postpartum. Learn about taking care of this brand-new little person you're about to bring home.
That’s exactly why I created courses to help you through all of it. From preparing for labor and birth, to breastfeeding, to figuring out what the heck you’re supposed to do once you bring that baby home.
And girl, if you want to prepare for the whole journey, you can save by bundling them together.
Because you’re not just preparing to give birth. You’re preparing to become a parent. And that’s a pretty big deal!
But when it comes to birth prep, it’s not all about what you know. What you do with your body matters too.
3. Keep It Moving, Mama
Before labor. During labor. While pushing.
Movement matters.
Moving your body allows your pelvis to move and change too, creating space as baby works their way down.
But here’s the thing: there is no ONE magical labor position.
Move through different positions and pay attention to what feels good to your body.
Maybe someone recommends a position and you try it thinking it’s going to be amazing.
And you HATE it.
Okay. Then it ain’t for you.
Try something else.
There’s no holy-grail position that works for everybody. What feels good to your body matters.
And while movement can help you work with your body during labor, your environment matters too.
4. If It’s Safe, Don’t Rush Out the Door
Home is familiar.
Your bed is there. Your shower is there. Your stuff is there. You’re surrounded by things you know, in a place where you already feel safe, secure and comfortable.
If you’re planning a hospital birth and it’s safe for you to spend some of early labor at home, that familiar environment can help support you before heading to the hospital.
But Mama, I said a little longer.
Not too long.
We’re not having any car babies over here.
Follow the guidance you’ve been given by your care team about when it’s time to head in.
Eventually, though, it’ll be time to leave that comfortable little bubble. And when you do, WHO you have around you matters.
5. Choose Your Birth Team Carefully AND Communicate
The person who helped make the baby does not automatically have to be the person supporting you through birth.
There. I said it.
The people in that room should make you feel safe, comfortable and supported. They should know your wishes and be able to advocate for you when you’re focused on actually having a baby.
If somebody is sitting there with metaphorical popcorn, watching you give birth instead of helping you give birth?
Why are they there?
You don’t need somebody crunching snacks, playing games with the sound on or distracting you while you’re in labor.
And that communication doesn’t stop with your support person.
Communication between you, your support person and your healthcare team are non-negotiable. Especially when things don’t go according to plan.
I've seen births go according to plan where someone still walked away feeling negatively about the experience because they didn't feel included in what was happening.
And I've seen situations where things changed dramatically, but because the healthcare team communicated and kept the patient involved in the planning process, they could still describe the experience positively.
You deserve to understand what’s happening and to still be part of the conversation.
You’ve got your people, you’ve communicated what you want...now comes the part that can be a little harder: being willing to pivot when birth has other plans.
6. Prepare, Practice...Then Stay Flexible
I love a birth plan. And if you’ve been around here for a minute, you already know I’ve got LOTS to say about them.
Bring the birth plan. Bring the whole binder if you want.
But birth is unpredictable.
You can have preferences, wishes, and things that are really important to you while still leaving room for those plans to change.
Think of it as a birth wish list, or what Jen Hamilton calls your birth vibes.
And being prepared isn’t just about knowing what you want. It’s about practicing it too.
Take pushing, for example.
Maybe you’ve learned about open-glottis pushing and that’s how you’d like to push.
Great.
But that doesn’t mean it will automatically feel natural when it’s go time.
Learn it. Practice it. Then practice it some more.
Because when you’re in transition, emotional, stressed, or completely focused on getting your baby here, you may not have the brain space to think through every little thing you learned.
That’s where practice and muscle memory can come in.
Prepare for the birth you want. Practice the tools you want to use. But leave yourself room to pivot if birth has other plans.
Because at the end of the day, preparation isn’t about controlling every detail of your birth. It’s about giving yourself the knowledge, support and tools to navigate whatever happens.
The Goal Isn’t a “Perfect” Birth
You can’t control every single thing that’s going to happen during labor.
And I’m not going to tell you to just trust your body because your body knows exactly what to do.
Sometimes, our bodies need help.
What you CAN do is prepare your mind, learn about your options, practice the skills you want to use, surround yourself with the right support and communicate with your care team.
There’s no magic formula for an easy birth. But walking into it informed, prepared and supported can make a BIG difference.
Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Every pregnancy and birth is different, so always speak with your healthcare provider about what’s right for you and your specific situation.
