Giving birth to your first child is the closest you can ever come to magic " - unknown

Birth of a baby is a natural physiological process - and just like conceiving a baby - it could be pleasurable, orgasmic, pain-free, intense, painful, traumatic, medically-managed or undisturbed and free. It’s your rite of passage into motherhood!

➜ Babies determine when to be born, usually between 37-42 weeks gestation.

➜ 75% of first time mothers will give birth by 41 weeks and 2 days.

➜ Only 4% of babies are born on their due date, so call it a due window!

In giving birth to our babies, we may find that we give birth to new possibilities within ourselves " - Myla Kabat Zinn

Every birth is unique each time to each and every woman. Start fresh without being attached to the outcome of your last birth. Your next birth will be different and special in its own way - each and every time!

➜ The first and second stages of birthing are likely to be shorter and easier the second time around.

➜ Your second baby might be bigger and born a bit earlier than your first baby, but nothing is for sure!

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood " - Marie Curie

Rh-negative means that your red blood cells do not contain the Rh protein. If your baby has Rh-positive blood a condition called Rh Incompatibility can occur.

➜ With Rh incompatibility if your blood and your baby's blood mix, your body will start to make antibodies that can damage your baby's red blood cells.

➜ About half of the children born to an Rh-negative mother and Rh-positive father will be Rh-positive.

➜ A shot of Rh immune-globulin (RhIG) is given to stop your body from making antibodies. This is done at around 28 weeks gestation and again within 72 hours after your Rh-positive baby is born.

One of the most empowering outcomes of microbiome awareness is rooted in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal " - Amanda Ledwith

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a bacteria that approximately one in three women carry in their vagina. It can come and go at any time and most women have no symptoms or any health effects. However, GBS can potentially be passed to your baby during birth.

➜ Only 1-2% of babies who are exposed to GBS develop an infection. The most common problems caused by the infection are lung infection, blood infection, and meningitis.

➜ You have a choice to accept or decline IV antibiotics given during your birthing time.

➜ Antibiotics can reduce the risk of passing GBS to a baby, but can also disrupt good flora and affect the newborn baby’s microbiome.

Although the popularly desired outcome is ‘healthy mother, healthy baby,’ I think there is room in that equation for ‘happy, non-traumatized, empowered and elated mother and baby " - Midwifery Today

Birth trauma is distress experienced by a mother during and/or after childbirth. While birth trauma can be physical, it is often emotional and psychological and can have a long-lasting impact on one’s life.

➜ 45% of women feel they had a traumatic birth experience.

➜ 66% of birth trauma survivors name obstetric violence as the biggest contributor to their trauma.

➜ Unprocessed birth trauma can be very triggering. Giving yourself space to process your birth - privately, with a friend, a support group, postpartum doula and/ or therapist who specialises in PTSD from childbirth and birth trauma - can help you move forward.

➜ Your trauma is valid, even if: it took awhile for you to recognize it was a trauma, you can’t remember it clearly, you haven’t told anyone about it, someone didn’t think it was a trauma and/or it doesn’t affect you anymore.

The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored " - Ina May Gaskin

Obstetric abuse also called obstetric violence or birth rape is physical, sexual, and/or verbal abuse; neglect, bullying, coercion, humiliation and/or assault that occurs to birthing women by medical staff, including doctors, nurses and midwives.

➜ Obstetric abuse can be: refusal to provide care unless consented to a vaginal exam or other ‘required’ procedures; not receiving informed consent or refusal; ignoring questions, requests and pleas; coerced into and/or procedures done without consent or medical reason like induction, vaginal exams, episiotomy or caesarean; use of physical force to prevent birth while waiting for the doctor to arrive; mocking, belittling and disregarding birth choices and plans; bullying and threats about baby’s safety.

➜ Obstetric abuse can lead to birth trauma, postpartum PTSD, postpartum depression, and anxiety.

➜ You can call out your provider’s behaviour and at any time say ‘I DO NOT CONSENT. I REFUSE further treatment’, ask for a new provider and/or file a complaint.

Health care providers can empower survivors, or re-traumatize them. Let’s give new moms and birth professionals the tools they need to make childbirth a positive, rewarding experience, rather than a trigger for very bad memories " - Sarah Beaulieu

It’s fairly common for pregnancy, birth and/or postpartum to trigger memories and emotions related to past sexual assault and abuse.

➜ 1 out of 4 women have history of sexual violence.

➜ Identify whether there is anything that may trigger you to become distressed, have flashbacks or dissociate, like: being naked; pain and/or strong emotions; strangers; certain body positions; procedures and examinations; where and how you’re being touched on your body; environment and smells; certain phrases or words.

➜ Consider that it’s possible for your baby’s birth to be a positive, healing and transformative experience for you.

It seems that many health professionals involved in antenatal care have not realized that one of their roles should be to protect the emotional state of pregnant women " - Michel Odent, M.D

Protecting your birthing experience as something sacred and intimate may mean choosing care from female providers only.

➜ Only you can know what you need to feel safe, secure, and supported.

➜ Intentionally creating your ideal birthing environment helps you stay focused on the joy of birthing, bonding, and feeding your little one.

Language is very powerful. Language does not just describe reality. Language creates the reality it describes " - Desmond Tutu

Your mind believes and responds accordingly to the words you tell yourself. Using neutral and positive language when talking about birth and pregnancy can positively influence your birth experience.

➜ Positive words and phrases can eliminate automatic fear response and create a more relaxing, soothing birthing environment.

➜ Change the words you use: due date - due month/period guess date; fetus - baby; labor - birthing, birthing time; delivery - birth, giving birth; contractions - surges, waves, sensations, pressure waves; dilation - opening; complications - special circumstances; pain - discomfort, intensity, sensation; false labor/ Braxton hicks - practise for birthing; failure to progress - resting birthing; push - breath down; transition - transformation; ring of fire - powerful stretching, stretching sensation.

Birth should not be a time in a woman’s life when she has to FIGHT for anything " - Carla Hartley

Coercion is a use of force, threats or intimidation to obtain compliance. Coercive language can range from: emotional appeals “All we want is a healthy baby, right?”; to not presenting your options accurately “You are not allowed to eat and drink”; to intimidation and threatening “We won’t provide care until you consent to a cervical check”.

➜ You’re the authority of your own body, pregnancy and baby. You, not your provider, choose to allow or not.

➜ Remain in your power by demanding informed discussion about benefits, risks and alternatives without coercion, to make an informed decision.

➜  You can call out your provider’s behaviour and at any time say “I DO NOT CONSENT. I REFUSE further treatment”.

You have the right to say yes or no.That simple sentence embodies the spirit and the critical importance of informed consent in any area of health care " - Amanda Lowe

You are the authority over your body - you choose to allow something to be done, not your provider. Every procedure suggested by care providers should include a discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives.

➜ Remain in your power by demanding informed discussions of all procedures to make an informed decision when saying “yes”.

➜ Trust your intuition when making decisions during your birthing experience.

➜ Ask for time to think about your options. You very rarely need to decide at that exact moment.

Too many times parents lack the information they need, are asked to make decisions under duress, or are presented with options in such a way that they are gently let to make decisions that fit comfortably with caregiver’s and hospital’s protocols, rather than the parents expressed needs or desires " - Andrea Robertson

This simple and easy to remember acronym can help you make decisions during your pregnancy and birth: B - benefits, R - risks, A - alternatives, I - intuition, N - nothing, S - second opinion.

➜ Use this acronym in no particular order. Starting with listening to your own intuition and/or doing nothing and finishing with benefits might just be the right decision for you and your baby.

You have the right to say yes or no. That simple sentence embodies the spirit and the critical importance of informed consent in any area of health care " - Amanda Lowe

You have the right to receive information and ask questions to make an informed, voluntary decision about your care. Along with the right of informed consent comes the right of informed refusal.

➜ B.R.A.I.N.S. - an acronym to help you make decisions. B - benefits, R - risks, A - alternatives, I - intuition, N - nothing, S - second opinion.

➜ F.R.I.E.S. - an acronym for true consent: F - freely given, R - reversible, I - informed, E - enthusiastic, S - specific.

➜ You have the right to say ‘I DO NOT CONSENT. I REFUSE further treatment’.

Birth is safe. Interference is risky " - Trust Birth Initiative

Birth in a hospital setting has become normalized as a medical experience, and it often is.

➜ There are guidelines, timelines, routine procedures and policies in place, but they’re simply offers of care. You have the right to accept them or not.

➜ You have the right to individualized care from midwives, doctors and nurses.

➜ There are procedures developed specifically to deal with emergency situations when truly necessary for the baby or, very rarely, for the mother.

The whole point of woman-centered birth is the knowledge that a woman is the birth power source. She may need, and deserve, help, but in essence, she always had, currently has, and will have the power " - Heather McCue

Birth centers are designed to provide a homelike, low intervention approach to birth with access to expert medical care if needed.

➜ People who work for birth centers see pregnancy and birth as a natural event and not a medical condition or emergency.

➜ Many birth centers offer an intimate environment with big beds, birthing tubs, showers, nitrous oxide and other comfort measures.

The right place to give birth, would be the right place to make love " - Michel Odent

Birth is intimate and has its best potential to unfold naturally in a private, undisturbed and safe environment, like your own home.

➜ Personalized, holistic one-to-one care from a midwife and/or doula in the role of a ‘lifeguard’ standing by in case they’re needed without interfering with birth process, massively improves outcomes for you and your baby.

➜ Safe home environment ensures your chances of producing peak levels of birthing hormones and experiencing straightforward natural even orgasmic birth.

➜ Bliss and comfort of being in your own home, your own bathroom and your own bed with your beautiful new baby, celebrating the most amazing day - your baby’s birthday!

Undisturbed birth represents the smoothest hormonal orchestration of the birth process, and therefore the easiest transition possible; physiologically, hormonally, psychologically, and emotionally, from pregnancy and birth to new motherhood and lactation, for each woman " - Sarah Buckley

Freebirth means birthing your baby at home without a provider to manage your care - unassisted. Acting on your own authority and choosing to take full responsibility for your own care and your own birth experience.

➜ The ultimate trust in and surrender to your body's innate ability to bring your baby earthside.

➜ Learning to tune into your own sensuality, intuition and listening to what the sensations in your body are telling you is essential to birthing your baby in an act of power and ecstasy.

It’s my assertion that EVERY woman can have a pleasurable, organic and orgasmic pregnancy and birth " - Kim Anami

Birth can be the biggest orgasm of your life! Same body parts, hormones and neural pathways are accessed while making and birthing a baby. It’s nature’s design for a woman to have an uncomplicated and pleasurable birth.

➜ Intimate, private and undisturbed environment is key to open up for a pleasurable birth.

➜ Sex, clitoral stimulation and orgasms have analgesic effect and can move along stalled birthing.

➜ Many women have experienced cervical orgasms while birthing their baby and/or the placenta.

My dream is that every woman, everywhere, will know the joy of a truly safe, comfortable, and satisfying birthing for herself and her baby " - Marie Mongan

Hypnosis birth is a GAME CHANGER! It leverages the knowledge that you and your baby were designed to birth peacefully with true joy and ease.

➜ Reframes the birthing experience as a blissful, transformational experience rather than one of pain or fear.

➜ Hypnosis birthing utilizes self-hypnosis, relaxation, breathing, visualization, affirmations, meditation, positive birth language and beliefs to birth your baby in a calm, relaxed environment.

➜ Truly joyful and peaceful birthing experiences for mom, baby, and everyone on the birth team.

Remember that every year around the world hundreds of thousands of women give birth by VBAC. Your body still remembers how to [...] give birth. Your baby–like all babies, if given the opportunity–will start the [pressure waves], working in harmony with the hormones that instigate and maintain [birth] " - Diana Korte

Reclaiming your right to birthing your baby vaginally after previously birthing through cesarean-section. A choice made from a place of power, peace, and inherent belief in the body to naturally birth your baby.

➜ Can be an incredibly healing experience after a difficult or unplanned prior cesarean. Rediscovering the enormous strength and power of your body to take care of you and your baby!

➜ Many women describe feeling extremely confident, grateful, and proud of themselves and their bodies after a supportive and joyful VBAC experience.

➜ Rather than feeling limited in how many subsequent pregnancies and births you will be able to safely have with repeated cesareans, you are able to take back your reproductive journey after a successful VBAC!

People never sing ... except in the bathroom. Birthing women also make their natural sounds next to running bath water. There is something about the power of water. People are drawn to water, spas, and sacred streams. Women in labor are drawn to water, too " - Michel Odent

Giving birth in a warm pool of water helps envelope you in a sense of safety, privacy, and calm. You can move freely, relatively undisturbed as you turn inward to call upon your strength and power to birth your baby.

➜ The presence of water in the birthing space immediately changes the atmosphere. A sense of quiet and calm seems to fall on everyone in the environment.

➜ The deeply relaxing effect of water allows your body to open and release the necessary hormones needed to experience pleasure, euphoria, and bliss rather than pain or fear!

If we want to find safe alternatives to obstetrics, we must rediscover midwifery. To rediscover midwifery is the same as giving back childbirth to women. And imagine the future if surgical teams were at the service of the midwives and the women instead of controlling them " - Michel Odent

The powerful differences in the medical model of care and the holistic midwifery model of care cannot be overstated. Midwifery care focuses on the belief in and support of the natural, physical processes of childbirth and early life while placing power in the hands of the birthing person to bring their child into the world.

➜ Midwives are skilled professionals and experts in holistic childbirth - standing as lifeguards without a compulsive need to interfere!

➜ Midwives focus on continuity of care. You build true relationships that can help create a sense of safety, comfort, and security in the birthing space.

➜ Having a care provider who truly respects your autonomy and who believes in your body's ability to birth without unnecessary intervention or "management" is essential to have the joyful, empowering birth experience you deserve!

If doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it " - John H. Kennell

Doulas can hold sacred space for you, your family, and your birth team as a whole. Often described as 'mothering the mother' doula provides informational, emotional, and physical support to you and your family before, during, and just after birth.

➜ Doulas are unique in that they are providing guidance and continuous support throughout your birth. Their sole focus is on YOU!

➜ Having a doula present during birth significantly improve outcomes including shorter birthing times, less use of medication, and a positive overall experience.

➜ Your doula will work to make sure you feel heard, supported, and safe throughout the birthing process. She will spend time learning about your goals, values, and preferences and do all she can to support your dream birth becoming a reality!

Spontaneous labour in a normal woman is an event marked by a number of processes so complicated and so perfectly attuned to each other that any interference will only detract from the optimal character. The only thing required from the bystanders is that they show respect for this awe-inspiring process by complying with the first rule of medicine – nil nocere (do no harm) " - Dr. Kloosterman

The spontaneous start to birthing is trusting that your baby and body will know exactly when to begin the birthing process without unnecessary interventions.

➜ Undisturbed and joyful progression of birth with full trust in your body’s ability to bring baby earthside in perfect timing.

➜ Provides the best opportunity for you and your baby to receive the optimum levels of important hormones during the birthing process.

➜ High rates of successful breastfeeding and an incredible opportunity to focus on those first, blissful moments of bonding.

Breast stimulation is especially effective in starting labor at term when it is combined with sexual intercourse. Unless your partner is an abysmally poor lover, this combination is by far the most enjoyable method of induction " - Ina May Gaskin

Often what is most needed for the birthing process to begin is surrender. Surrender to your body's and baby's perfect timing. There are many natural induction methods available to support and prime your body rather than attempting to force birth before the time is right.

➜ Working with your body to help encourage and support the natural induction of the birthing process can be very effective while also lowering the risk for future interventions.

➜ Any sexual activity can encourage the earlier onset of the birthing process and prime your body with a flood of the enormously important 'love hormone' oxytocin!

➜ Nipple stimulation, sex, acupressure, acupuncture, drinking and eating certain teas and foods, and various homeopathic remedies are a few of many options!

Experiences have clearly shown that an approach which ‘de-medicalizes’ birth, restores dignity and humanity to the process of childbirth, and returns control to the mother is also the safest approach " - Michel Odent

Rather than artificially releasing waters, you allow waters to release spontaneously. Your baby remains lovingly enveloped in the protective amniotic fluids and sac until the exact right moment.

➜ Keeps baby protected in the amniotic fluid while you both work together towards the birthing moment.

➜ You remain undisturbed as you focus on bringing your baby down and following your body’s cues to help support your baby in finding the best possible position during birth.

The same movements that get the baby in, get the baby out " - Birthing From Within

Moving freely throughout the birthing process helps you work with gravity and respond to what your body and baby are telling you to manage sensations and help get your baby in an optimal position for birth.

➜ Freedom of movement is key to experience the full range of sensual possibilities during birth. You are able to respond to all of the physical cues from your body to have a truly pleasurable experience.

➜ You are able to find repetitive movements and positions that make managing intense sensations more comfortable and enjoyable!

➜ Spiraling - instinctively rotating and moving your hips in a circular motion can help you feel expanded and sink deeper and deeper into a sensual birthing process.

If you lay down, the baby will never come out " - Native American saying

Being upright and moving freely throughout the birthing process helps you work with gravity and respond to your body’s cues to bring the baby down and out.

➜ Upright positions include: standing, squatting, kneeling upright and on hands-and-knees. You can be supported by a partner and/or use props like a birth ball or a stool.

➜ Being upright can increase your pelvic space by 30%.

➜ Allow stronger, more effective pressure waves, shorter birthing time and less intense sensations.

It opens up the space in your pelvis so your baby can slip out " - Emma Armstrong

Knees in Calves out - a position to open up the pelvic outlet and give your baby maximum space for a “pushing” or “breathing baby out” phase.

➜ Your sacrum (tailbone) must be free to move outwards, knees in and calves out or parallel to each other.

➜ You can be in a KICO position on all fours, upright or laying down on your side.

➜ Ultimately listen to your own body and your own instincts to get into the best position for you and your baby!

Part of giving birth without fear is trusting your instincts " - Brande Holm

During the transformation phase many women instinctively rise up onto their tippy toes. This opens up the brim of the pelvis and helps the baby engage and descend.

➜ You can turn your toes in and lift your heels up while standing up, sitting or laying down.

➜ Listen to your own instincts and let your body guide you to help your baby move downwards and out.

We try to give a birthing woman freedom to find the right position for her own needs and comfort. Unfortunately, in our society we think of birthing as something done while lying down " - Michel Odent

Stirrup's function is to restrain you - mainly for the health care provider’s convenience.

➜ Lithotomy position - lying on your back in a supine position with hips and knees flexed, thighs apart, legs in raised stirrups or people holding your legs in the air - is the least favorable position to be birthing in for you and your baby.

➜ Lithotomy position puts pressure on the sacrum, makes the pelvic outlet smaller and doesn’t allow gravity to aid.

➜ Possibly increase the risk of severe perineal trauma, more intense sensations and a longer birthing time.

➜ It can be very triggering for sexual assault survivors.

Squat 300 times a day, you’re going to give birth quickly " - Ina May Gaskin

A squat bar or birth bar can be attached to the bed to help facilitate an upright squatting position.

➜ Squatting can open your pelvis up by 30% and use gravity to promote downward movement of your baby.

➜ Birth bar provides leverage to get into a deep squat, which can be very effective in helping you “push” or “breathe” your baby out.

➜ Birth bar most likely CAN be used with an epidural.

300,000 women will be giving birth with you today. Relax and breathe and do nothing else " - Unknown

Birthing stool and/or toilet - one of the best and the most underrated birthing tools - a.k.a. the dilation station!

➜ Sitting on the toilet we naturally let our mind, the pelvic floor and perineum relax. It lets the uterus and cervix work more effectively.

➜ Sitting on the toilet and/or birth stool puts you in a supported squatting position, opens up your pelvis by 30% and lets gravity help with downward movement of the baby.

➜ A toilet is a great place to rest, empty your bladder if needed, and allow birthing hormones to flow freely while undisturbed in a private, low light environment.

If there is one thing I would want all first time mothers to know about birth, it is this: spiraling " - Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova

Having the right tools available during birthing is essential to finding comfortable positions that work with your body as your pressure waves work to bring your baby down. Birth balls offer many benefits in positioning, opening the pelvis, and supporting you during birth!

➜ This versatile tool can help encourage gentle movement as you open your mind and body to sensations.

➜ You can easily spiral while on the birth ball - instinctively rotating and moving your hips in a circular motion as you sink deeper and deeper into a sensual birthing process.

➜ Leaning against the birth ball is an amazing way to find support and rest while working with gravity and your body to encourage optimum positioning of your baby for birth!

We cannot birth our babies through sheer force of will. We need to learn the more subtle, the equally powerful, path of surrender " - Sarah J. Buckley

Peanut Ball is a peanut shaped birthing ball. It’s more relaxing than a birth ball and especially useful with an epidural, posterior baby and/or a need to stay in bed.

➜ It helps open up your pelvis, relieve discomfort, reduce birthing time and interventions.

➜ Peanut ball is most commonly used while lying down or semi-sitting on the bed.

➜ You can also spiral, sway, rock, get onto hands-and-knees or just lean on the peanut ball to find movement, support and/or rest.

If there is one thing I would want all first time mothers to know about birth, it is this: spiraling " - Elena Tonetti-Vladimirova

Spiraling - instinctively rotating and moving your hips in a circular motion can help you feel expanded and sink deeper and deeper into a sensual birthing process.

➜ Close your eyes and feel your body naturally take over as you spiral.

➜ Rotating hips during pressure waves can assist your baby to naturally descend.

➜ Try pairing your movements with your breathing, let your body take over.

Muscles send messages to each other. Clenched fists, a tight mouth, a furrowed brow, all send signals to the birth-passage muscles, the very ones that need to be loosened. Opening up to relax these upper-body parts relaxes the lower ones " - Dr. Sears

A relaxed jaw and mouth allow your cervix and vagina to open up to its full capacity - and help you birth your baby!

➜ During your pressure waves, instead of tensing up, relax into it - soften your face and melt into sensations.

➜ Breath out with a sigh, do “Horse Lips” or simply kiss to soften and relax your jaw and pelvic floor.

➜ Soft relaxed face and jaw equals relaxed vagina and stretchy perineum reducing the risk of tearing and interventions.

Women have to open up to give birth, and allowing them to be calm and to feel secure can help this process. To help her to dilate, keep the lights low and the noise and commotion to a minimum " - Ina May Gaskin

The environment we make and birth our babies has a profound impact on our hormones and experience as a whole.

➜ Dimming the lights wherever you give birth can help create a calm, peaceful atmosphere that signals your body to release key hormones that allow you to relax and surrender to the birthing process.

➜ You are able to feel safe, secure, and private as you work to meet your baby. Bright lighting can make some women feel exposed or observed and even stall birthing.

➜ Dim lighting creates a peaceful transition for baby as they emerge from the dark security of the womb into the big, open world.

To speak of birth, to touch people’s hearts and souls and to awaken that part of humankind that has forgotten that it matters enormously how a baby comes into the world – that is our task " - Vicki Chan and Nick Edmondstone

Maintaining a sense of reverence for the birthing experience through quiet, soft voices allows you to dive deep into the physical and spiritual work of bringing your baby earthside.

➜ Keeping a sense of calm and quiet helps maintain a private and undisturbed birthing environment.

➜ This will help your body release the perfect hormones to help you relax, open, and birth your baby.

Birth is an opportunity to transcend. To rise above what we are accustomed to, reach deeper inside ourselves than we are familiar with, and to see not only what we are truly made of, but the strength we can access in and through birth " - Marcie Macari

Music - like birth - can be a transcendental experience. Music is a powerful tool for focus, relaxation, release, and DANCE. Choosing music that helps you feel sensual, empowered, and happy can help you focus and fully experience the spiritual power during birth.

➜ Music and dance is a powerful tool to flow with intense sensations, release tension and reach full relaxation. You can dance your baby out!

➜ Using music that is significant to you during birth can help create a completely unique and sacred space to welcome your baby into the world!

The issue of eating and drinking during [birth] should be reframed as one of bodily choice " - Rebecca Dekker

Choosing to drink water and eat yummy food that provides energy and properly nourishes you before, during, and after birth is a part of a natural birth process.

➜ Gives your body and muscles the energy they need to birth your baby without relying on IV fluids.

➜ You intuitively give your body the physical nourishment it's asking for and needs. You can stay tuned into your physical sensations, respond appropriately, and feel energized and focused.

People never sing...except in the bathroom. Birthing women also make their natural sounds next to running bath water. There is something about the power of water. People are drawn to water, spas, and sacred streams. Women in labor are drawn to water, too " - Michel Odent

In the shower water pressure and heat running over your body are incredibly relaxing and calming. It’s instinctual to want to birth in water.

➜ Standing in the shower allows you to take advantage of gravity and get relief from strong sensations.

➜ The deeply relaxing effect of water allows your body to open and release the necessary birthing hormones, and gives you a sense of safety, privacy, and calm.

Whenever and however you intend to give birth, your experience will impact your emotions, your mind, your body, and your spirit for the rest of your life " - Ina May Gaskin

Essential oils can be a very effective tool for muscle tension release and relaxation. The molecules in the essential oils are thought to stimulate parts of the brain responsible for emotion, memory and your response to sensations.

➜ Lavender, Citrus, Jasmine, Salvia, Bitter Orange, Rose, Geranium Rose, and Rose Plant have all shown decreased discomfort scores in evidence-based research.

➜ Peppermint is an effective antinausea and Salvia has shown to decrease birthing time.

➜ Consult an aromatherapist and/or try to sample different oils to find the ones that are most appealing to you.

Every word you say is a blueprint that your mind, body and psyche want to make a reality " - Marisa Peer

Mantras and affirmations are positive statements that can help you manifest the birth of your dreams.

➜ A repetition of a simple phrase about your birth over and over again will eventually make it difficult for your mind to object to it.

➜ The more you affirm, visualize and believe the more your body will respond to your thoughts and images and make it your reality.

➜ Mantras and affirmations: “I welcome my baby”, “I let go and relax”, “I’m expanding and opening”, “I can breathe through it”, “baby and I are a perfect team”, “l can do it for 60 seconds” are some examples.

A relaxing massage relaxes the whole being " - unknown

Massage during birthing time is a sure way to increase natural oxytocin and relaxation, especially when given by your partner or a doula who is skilled in massage techniques.

➜ There are different types and techniques of massages for birthing - lower back massage, back, neck and shoulder massage, effleurage, feathering, counter pressure and hip squeeze.

➜ Massage can decrease discomfort levels, birthing time and increased overall satisfaction with birth.

➜ A rolling pin or tennis balls are simple but effective tools for massages.

No other natural bodily function is painful and childbirth should not be an exception " - Grantley Dick-Read, M.D.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine is a hand-held portable device that delivers an electrical pulse to your body via four electrodes placed on your back.

➜ This electrical pulse overloads your nervous system, reducing its ability to transmit discomfort signals to the spinal cord and brain.

➜ The TENS machine also helps your body release natural endorphins, which relax you, relieve strong sensations and promote feelings of pleasure.

➜ You can start using the TENS machine at the very start of your pressure waves and adjust power levels as you need to.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax " - Mark Black

Acupuncture is inserting of fine needles into specific points of the body while acupressure is using the thumbs or fingers to apply pressure to specific points. Both have been used to jump start birthing, relieve discomfort and strengthen pressure waves.

➜ The webbing between the thumb and index finger point is believed to correspond to the lower back and may be useful for relieving discomfort during birthing.

➜ The wrist points are located on the inside of the wrist, about three finger widths from the base of the palm. These points are believed to correspond to the uterus and may be useful for stimulating pressure waves and reducing discomfort during birthing.

➜ The lower back points are located about four finger widths from the base of the spine, on either side of the spinal column. These points are believed to correspond to the lower back and may be useful for relieving discomfort during birthing.

Life is a balance between holding on and letting go " - Rumi

Reflexology is a type of massage, an application of pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears. It has shown to jump start birthing, reduce discomfort and birthing time.

➜ The ball of the foot point is believed to correspond to the uterus and may be useful for stimulating pressure waves.

➜ The big toe point is believed to correspond to the head and may be useful for helping the baby to descend and rotate during birth.

➜ The heel point is believed to correspond to the lower back and may be useful for relieving discomfort during birthing.

Giving birth and being born brings us into the essence of creation, where the human spirit is courageous and bold and the body, a miracle of wisdom " - Harriette Hartigan

Counter pressure or sacral counter pressure is applying steady, strong pressure directly down onto the sacrum to release tension, strong sensations and get much needed relief.

➜ This can be done by your support person placing their palm flat onto your sacrum and pressing down (slightly inward) onto the sacrum.

➜ Counter pressure can be applied at the start of the pressure wave and held for the duration of the pressure wave.

➜ It’s especially comforting when the pressure waves are felt in the back.

➜ Combine counter pressure and hip squeeze for double the relief.

There is no way out of the experience except through it, because it is not really your experience at all but the baby's. Your body is the child's instrument of birth " - Penelope Leach

One of THE BEST comfort measures during birthing is a double hip squeeze - a type of pressure massage.

➜ This is done by your support person putting the heels of their hands around your hips (below the hip bone) and squeezing your hips in (and slightly up) during your pressure waves.

➜ It pushes your pelvis back into a relaxed position. This relieves the pressure of the baby’s head bearing down, and causes your pelvis to flare out slightly, giving your baby some extra wiggle room.

At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can " - Frida Kahlo

Rebozo means “shawl” in Spanish and represents the traditional long scarf worn by women in Mexico. It is also used as a comfort measure for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.

➜ Rebozo sifting is a technique that has been introduced to mothers and birth workers by traditional Mexican midwives.

➜ The technique involves gently rocking or sifting your abdomen or pelvis using the rebozo to ease discomfort, relax the body and make more room for the baby.

A pregnant woman is like a beautiful flowering tree, but take care when it comes time for the harvest that you do not shake or bruise the tree, for in doing so, you may harm both the tree and its fruit " - Peter Jackson

Shaking the apple tree or jiggling the body is an old technique used to promote relaxation of the butt, pelvic, and inner and outer thighs muscles.

➜ Jiggling can help muscles release tension and temporarily get a tiny bit longer creating more room for the baby to move.

➜ You can simply lean over a bed or a birth ball, get in a hands-and-knees position and let your partner vigorously jiggle your posterior back and forth.

➜ Never shake the abdomen or the hips vigorously.

Take rest. A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop " - Ovid

When mother and baby are doing well, but birthing begins to slow, this is the perfect time to rest. Trust your body to work and rest as needed during birth without unnecessary intervention.

➜ Rather than beginning to worry or actively trying to restart pressure waves, you can take this time to relax, sleep, and rest. You will feel renewed and energized once the pressure waves pick up again!

➜ Resting during birth helps you hone in on exactly what your body needs to birth your beautiful baby without exhaustion and fear.

All natural birth has a purpose and a plan; who would think of tearing open the chrysalis as the butterfly is emerging? Who would break the shell to pull the chick out? " - Marie Mongon

Birth is a natural process that can be blissful and empowering when given the space and time to unfold as needed. Rather than trying to control this powerful, natural force, you chose to trust in the birthing process, your body, and your baby to work together without arbitrary time limits.

➜ By removing time limits on the birthing process you free yourself and your body from the pressure to perform and instead get lost in the intense, but wonderful dance with your baby to birth at the exact right time.

➜ You are able to listen to what your body needs rather than rushing this intricate process - even when surges slow, you can trust that this is your body providing you the opportunity to rest and reset rather than fearing a set time limit when birth is progressing in a normal, healthy way.

The power and intensity of your contractions cannot be stronger than you, because it is you " - unknown

Measuring and keeping track of your pressure waves duration, frequency, intensity and pattern. This can help you indicate which stage of birthing you’re in or when to call your midwife or head to the hospital.

➜ Ideally your partner can track your pressure waves sparingly and keep you undisturbed by numbers.

➜ A pattern to look for is surges every 2-5 minutes that last 45-60 seconds. You can ride/relax into the pressure wave for 60 seconds and then sensations stop, giving you a break to rest.

While the doula knows more than a partner about birth, hospitals and maternity care, the partner knows more about the woman's personality, likes, dislikes and needs. Moreover, he loves the woman more than anyone else there " - Penny Simkin

It is your choice on who you would like in the room with you. Choosing someone who will calm you, support you, and give you a tranquil environment is important to ensure you will have a relaxed and joyful birthing.

➜ Your partner can help you release birthing hormone oxytocin just by being close by, through touch, massage, kissing and intimacy.

➜ Be clear with your birth partner about what you expect and what you will choose, so they can provide you with the support you need.

Women's bodies have near-perfect knowledge of childbirth; it's when their brains get involved that things can go wrong " - Peggy Vincent

Birth is a time to turn off your thinking brain, surrender and let your body, not numbers, guide you.

➜ Pressure wave patterns can be subtly different from person to person.

➜ Relax into the pressure waves - they only last 45-60 seconds.

The instant of birth is exquisite. Pain and joy are one at this moment. Ever after, the dim recollection is so sweet that we speak to our children with a gratitude they never understand " - Madeline Tiger

Photos taken during your birthing process (without disturbing you) will quickly become one of your most treasured possessions.

➜ Having these special moments captured in photos can help you look back and see the beauty, bliss, and incredible power of your birthing experience.

➜ You are able to look back and see details you might have missed during your birth such as your partner's constant presence and love or their face as they first met the baby!

It seems that many health professionals involved in antenatal care have not realized that one of their roles should be to protect the emotional state of pregnant women " - Michel Odent

Protecting your birthing experience as something sacred and intimate may mean refusing care from students.

➜ You can relax in the confidence of the level and quality of care you will receive from an experienced provider.

➜ By limiting care to only your chosen provider you can maintain focus during your birthing without additional interruptions for teaching moments with students.

The only significant effect of continuous electronic fetal monitoring was an increase in the cesarean rate " - Michel Odent

Rather than relying on internal or external monitoring of the baby's heart rate during a normally progressing birth, you are fully immersed and trusting in your body's ability to not only birth but support and protect your baby.

➜ You are able to stay fully focused during pressure waves without constant or intermittent interruptions

➜ When you are birthing without distractions you can focus on surrendering to the transformational, blissful experience of birth!

The length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around " - Michel Odent

Intentionally choosing whom you want present during and immediately following your birth. Birth is a sacred event. Only you can know what you need to feel safe, secure, and supported. So whether your birthing space is intimate with an extremely small group of people or filled with your specific tribe is entirely up to you!

➜ Lovingly and intentionally creating your ideal birthing environment helps you stay focused on the joy of birthing, bonding, and feeding your little one.

➜ Maintaining a sense of privacy allows your body to relax and release important birthing hormones as you prepare to meet your baby.

Mothers need to know that their care and their choices won’t be compromised by birth politics " - Jennifer Rosenberg

Choosing the least invasive options of a hand-held Doppler or non-electronic fetoscope to periodically measure the baby's heart rate during the birthing time.

➜ Unrestricted by the cables of electronic fetal monitoring systems, you can move with each surge and work together with your baby to birth them in a way that feels pleasurable rather than painful.

➜ Free from the constant beeping and distracting equipment you are able to focus fully on the breathing, visualization, and meditative techniques you practiced in order to stay present, peaceful, and joyful during birth.

The wisdom and compassion a woman can intuitively experience in childbirth can make her a source of healing and understanding for other women " - Stephen Gaskin

Protecting your ability to move and birth naturally without a routine procedure of being bound to an IV.

➜ Unrestricted movement is essential for birth to progress well and fully inhabit this powerful experience.

➜ You can choose to hydrate by drinking water, coconut water, juice, broth or other similarly hydrating fluids by mouth.

If I don’t know my options, I don’t have any " - Diana Korte

You can still maintain mobility and freedom in a medical setting while birthing. The hep-lock is an easily accessible port for medical staff that can be used at a later time without restricting your movements during birth.

➜ Choosing to have a hep-lock (saline lock) can be a way to negotiate in the medical setting if your care providers are not comfortable with no IV fluids.

When enough women realize that birth is a time of great opportunity to get in touch with their true power, and when they are willing to assume responsibility for this, we will reclaim the power of birth and help move technology where it belongs–in the service of birthing women, not their master " - Christiane Northrup

Pitocin is a synthetic version of naturally produced ‘love’ hormone oxytocin used to begin or speed up birthing. Rather than intervene you can choose to first evaluate the environment. Do I feel safe, secure, and supported? Do I need rest?

➜ Mimicking the environment in which babies were made to the birthing space can help birth moving forward at the pace needed.

➜You are able to listen to your body when you and baby are well and use the time to rest if needed rather than the use of medical pain management.

➜ Natural pressure waves are manageable rather than having to manage the often longer, stronger waves experienced with the use of Pitocin.

The major role that the body’s natural oxytocin plays in birth encourages the idea that birth is an experience of love…birth is a spiritual experience simply because it is largely an act of love on the part of the body physiology and the indwelling spirit " - Cathy Daub

Oxytocin is known as a ‘love’ and ‘forget oneself’ hormone because of its involvement with sexual activity, orgasm, birth and breastfeeding.

➜ Oxytocin initiates the rhythmic pressure waves and moves birthing forward. It reaches its peak levels as the baby's head emerges and stays high during the Golden Hour.

➜ It's a shy hormone and needs an intimate, private and undisturbed environment.

➜ Sex, clitoral stimulation, orgasms, nipple stimulation, kissing, hugging, massage, dim lights, feeling of love etc., will flood your body with natural oxytocin.

➜ After birth it promotes a strong bond between you and your baby, and allows successful breastfeeding.

➜ High levels of oxytocin as the baby is breastfeeding help you birth the placenta and prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

I have never observed even the slightest laceration in a woman who used clitoral stimulation as a relaxation method during birth. Clitoral stimulation seems to increase vaginal engorgement as the baby emerges " - Ina May Gaskin

Stimulating the clitoris during birthing results in a huge release of the birthing hormone oxytocin.

➜ Many women instinctively touch their clitoris during pressure waves and as the baby crowns.

➜ Clitoral stimulation can help open and soften the cervix and potentially turn strong discomfort sensations into pleasure.

➜ Physiologically the surges experienced during birthing are similar to the surges experienced during an orgasm.

The human species is no more unsuited to give birth than any other of the 5,000 or so species of mammals on the planet. We are merely the most confused " - Ina May Gaskin

Enemas were used to clear out the bowels before the birthing time but are no longer recommended or practiced.

➜ Enemas were originally thought to help shorten birthing time and prevent infections.

➜ Having loose stools is the body's way of emptying your bowels right before or during the birthing time.

➜ Sometimes poop happens during “pushing” or “breathing” baby out phase and it’s completely normal.

Natural childbirth allows the hormones that have been working for women for thousands of years to fulfill their functions. This is more important than just helping a woman through labor and delivery. Birth-related hormones also affect well-being much later in life " - Janet Schwegel

Trusting in your body's ability to do exactly what it is designed to do! Allowing birth to unfold naturally without medical augmentation or pain-relieving medications.

➜ Bathing in all of the delicious birthing hormones as you focus on enjoying your birthing journey exactly as it is rather than artificially trying to speed up the normal, healthy process.

➜ Maintaining a peaceful, undisturbed birthing process and protecting yourself against the domino effect of consequent interventions.

When avoidance of pain becomes the major emphasis of childbirth care, the paradoxical effect is that more women have to deal with pain after their babies are born " - Ina May Gaskin

Epidurals, a combination of local anesthetics, muscle relaxants (narcotics), and blood pressure-lowering medications in repeated doses can help manage intensity or pain during birth.

➜ Some common local anesthetics used in epidurals include lidocaine and bupivacaine, and some common opioids include fentanyl and sufentanil.

➜ Epidurals don’t always work and sometimes only provide some or no pain relief at all.

➜ Maintaining a peaceful, undisturbed birthing process and protecting yourself against the need of consequent interventions.

➜ Avoiding unknown and/or undesired side effects during and after childbirth.

An epidural will often slow a woman’s labour, and she is three times more likely to be given an oxytocin drip to speed things up.The second stage of labour is particularly slowed, leading to a three times increased chance of forceps. Women having their first baby are particularly affected; choosing an epidural can reduce their chance of a normal delivery to less than 50% " - Sarah Buckley

A walking epidural is similar to a traditional epidural but is typically administered in a lower dosage.

➜ It allows a greater feeling and movement in the lower half of your body giving you the opportunity to get into the upright positions while still receiving relief from strong sensations.

➜ Epidurals can help you find rest during an especially long or intense birth so you can regain strength and energy for the moment you meet your baby.

➜ Some common local anesthetics used in epidurals include lidocaine and bupivacaine, and some common opioids used in epidurals include fentanyl and sufentanil.

An epidural will often slow a woman’s labour, and she is three times more likely to be given an oxytocin drip to speed things up.The second stage of labour is particularly slowed, leading to a three times increased chance of forceps. Women having their first baby are particularly affected; choosing an epidural can reduce their chance of a normal delivery to less than 50% " - Sarah Buckley

Epidurals, a combination of local anesthetics, muscle relaxants (narcotics), and blood pressure-lowering medications in repeated doses can help manage intensity or pain during birth.

➜ Sometimes the best decision you can make is to do what is necessary to find peace, relaxation, and rest to bring your baby here safely and efficiently.

➜ When you are making an informed choice you can move forward with birthing in an empowered space.

➜ Epidurals can help you find rest during an, especially long or intense birth so you can regain strength and energy for the moment you meet your baby!

It is said that women in labour leave their bodies and travel to the stars to collect the souls of their children and return to this world together " - unknown

Cannabis can be a powerful pain reliever and instill a sense of relaxation and openness.

➜ It can help you trust the birthing process, follow your instincts and birth as uninhibited as possible.

➜ Using cannabis for birth has been a common practice for centuries.

➜ Bath bombs, tinctures, creams etc. can be used with CBD only or CBD and THC.

No other natural bodily function is painful and childbirth should not be an exception " - Grantley Dick-Read

Nitrous oxide can be an excellent management tool when pressure waves feel overwhelming or too intense. This medical pain medication provides relief without loss of muscle function.

➜ You can choose to give your body some rest during especially intense moments while maintaining freedom of movement to continue working with your body to bring your baby down.

➜ Women who have used nitrous oxide often report having truly positive experiences in part by maintaining a sense of control over their body and birthing experience.

So the question remains. Is childbirth painful? Yes. It can be, along with a thousand amazing sensations for which we have yet to find adequate language. Every birth is different, and every woman’s experience and telling of her story will be unique " - Marcie Macari

Removing distractions from your birthing experience is key to fully losing yourself in the process and bliss of working to meet your baby.

➜ Discomfort scales will not serve to change or manage the intensity of your surges.

➜ You are the expert when it comes to your body!

➜ Focus on your own physical sensations and reframe your sensations as important information for movement and positioning rather than label all sensations as discomfort or pain

It is a little known fact, aside from a slight push or two in the last seconds of labor, pushing is not necessary or even desirable for the laboring women " - Laura Kaplan Shanley

When you instinctively direct birth and listen to the urge to push, you allow birth to happen rather than making it happen.

➜ You are able to fully relax into the instinctual process and conserve energy to prevent exhaustion.

➜ You are able to intuitively change positions as you feel the need and work with your baby and body as the glorious moment of arrival comes closer with each purposeful surge!

➜ Giving birth can be compared to having an orgasm or a bowel movement - it can not be forced or directed by others.

It is a little known fact, aside from a slight push or two in the last seconds of labor, pushing is not necessary or even desirable for the laboring women " - Laura Kaplan Shanley

By slowly breathing in and slowly breathing out you create pressure from above while relaxing from below - this let’s your baby gently descend down.

➜ Take a deep breath in through the nose and let your body relax, then gently breath out through the mouth pushing your breath down your body.

➜ You are able to fully relax into the instinctual process and conserve energy to prevent exhaustion.

➜ You are able to intuitively change positions as you feel the need and work with your baby and body as the glorious moment of arrival comes closer with each purposeful surge!

The most powerful person in the room has the most relaxed breathing pattern " - Caroline Goyder

Box or four-square breathing: breath in while counting to four slowly, then hold the air in for four seconds. Slowly exhale for four seconds, then hold for four seconds. Keep repeating the pattern.

➜ It’s a simple but very powerful relaxation technique that works by distracting your mind and calming your nervous system.

➜ You are able to fully relax into the instinctual process and conserve energy to prevent exhaustion.

➜ Help redirect your mind away from strong sensations and make each surge more productive.

Labor is not about dilation. Your body knows how to give birth whether or not you ever have a pelvic exam during labor. Birthing women need encouragement to trust their bodies, and to be the stars of their own labors " - The Doula Guide to Birth

Protecting the vagina and cervix from unnecessary exams during pregnancy and the birthing process. Trusting the process and listening to your body rather than relying on invasive, external markers of “progress”.

➜ Dilation does not determine or accurately describe the progress of birthing.

➜ As you focus on physical sensations you can stay open and relaxed so you will know exactly when your body is ready to begin pushing.

Your cervix is not a crystal ball " - unknown

You have the right to choose if you would like a vaginal exam to be done or not, how often and when.

➜ Every time a vaginal exam is performed, the risk of infection is increased.

➜ Dilation does not determine or accurately describe the progress of birthing.

➜ As you focus on physical sensations you can stay open and relaxed so you will know exactly when your body is ready to begin pushing.

The knowledge about how to give birth is born within every woman: women do not need to be taught how to give birth but rather to have more trust and faith in their own body knowledge " – BirthWorks

Purple/dark line is a non-invasive way to check how dilated you are. The line starts at the anus and moves up the cleft from 1-2 cm to 10 cm.

➜ The purple line can be seen in about 75% of women during active birthing.

➜ Women who go into spontaneous birthing are more likely to have it appear.

The instant of birth is exquisite. Pain and joy are one at this moment. Ever after, the dim recollection is so sweet that we speak to our children with a gratitude they never understand " - Madeline Tiger

A hand held mirror can be used to watch your own baby being born.

➜ A large mobile mirror or a mirror on the ceiling in the birthing room is another exceptionally motivating option.

➜ Being able to see what is happening while you’re “pushing” or “breathing” your baby out can be especially beneficial for women who have had an epidural.

The knowledge about how to give birth is born within every woman: women do not need to be taught how to give birth but rather to have more trust and faith in their own body knowledge " - BirthWorks

You can have a birth experience without anyone else touching you or intervening unless explicitly requested or absolutely necessary. You can move through your birthing experience fully in your own power, bliss, and joy!

➜ Your care providers act more as witnesses and guardians of your sacred birthing experience rather than constantly intervening “managers”.

➜ Power, authority, and control remain exactly where they should - in the hands and body of the person birthing life into the world!

Muscles send messages to each other. Clenched fists, a tight mouth, a furrowed brow, all send signals to the birth-passage muscles, the very ones that need to be loosened. Opening up to relax these upper-body parts relaxes the lower ones " - William and Martha Sears

Having a warm compress pressed gently on your perineum as your baby is passing through the birthing canal can help you feel safe and supported as you surrender to the birthing process.

➜ Gentle perineal support not only helps you focus your pushing efforts, but it also reminds care providers that your body is to be supported during this process rather than using surgical interventions.

I have never observed even the slightest laceration in a woman who used clitoral stimulation as a relaxation method during birth. Clitoral stimulation seems to increase vaginal engorgement as the baby emerges " - Ina May Gaskin

Protecting and honoring the integrity of your body by refusing routine episiotomies (surgical incision of the perineum) in normal vaginal birth.

➜ Believing in your body's ability to open, soften, and stretch not only empowers you but also reduces the risk of more intense tearing seen with unnecessary medical interventions.

➜ Instead, you choose acts of love and trust for your body by using natural supportive choices such as a warm compress on the perineum and slow, controlled pushing as the baby's head is born.

Although the popularly desired outcome is ‘healthy mother, healthy baby,’ I think there is room in that equation for ‘happy, non-traumatized, empowered and elated mother and baby " - Midwifery Today

Focusing on creating an optimum environment for birth and trusting our bodies and babies rather than defaulting to assisted deliveries.

➜ Having a doula, freedom of movement, birthing in an upright position, and avoiding an epidural can all help you support your body in bringing your baby here without unnecessary complications or interventions.

➜ Choosing care providers that also trust in your body can help you relax into your unique birthing process without fear of being rushed when not an actual emergent situation.

Mothers need to know that their care and their choices won’t be compromised by birth politics " - Jennifer Rosenberg

Honoring and respecting the natural birthing process and integrity of a woman's body is essential to not only healthy moms and baby's, but truly transformational experiences.

➜ Birth does not need to be controlled, scheduled, or placed on an arbitrary timeline.

➜ Reserving all discussion of cesarean birth for truly emergent situations helps you stay focused on the innate power of your body to birth your baby naturally.

The best a health care system can do is to equip itself to meet the needs of each individual woman and birth. Those needs run the gamut from undisturbed home birth to planned Cesarean section " - Ina May Gaskin

Cesarean birth is a major abdominal surgery and it can be a gentle birth too.

➜ The baby can be slowly helped to be born with the head emerging first, then shoulders, abdomen, and then legs - in a similar way as a vaginal birth.

➜ Music, dim lights, lowered clear screen, skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, optimal cord clamping can all be a part of a gentle Cesarean birth.

Anything I’ve ever done that ultimately was worthwhile…initially scared me to death " - Betty Bender

Having this moment to process can help reset you into a healthy mindset as you and your body prepare to bring your baby into the world.

➜ Breathing techniques can help your mind and body stay calm before and during the surgery.

➜ Affirmations and mantras can be repeated throughout: “I will meet my baby soon”, “Breath, breath, breath”, “I am calm. I am safe. I am relaxed”, etc.

Even if it has not been your habit throughout your life so far, I recommend that you learn to think positively about your body " - Ina May Gaskin

The decision to watch your cesarean birth can be empowering and calming. Seeing your baby come into the world is an incredible moment.

➜ By having a clear lowered screen you can see the baby as soon as the baby is being born.

Birth takes a woman’s deepest fears about herself and shows her that she is stronger than them " - Unknown

Being aware of what to expect during a Cesarean birth can help you feel relaxed and in control.

➜ It can give you the power to understand what is happening as you are experiencing it.

Giving birth is the only blind date where you know you will meet the love of your life " - unknown

By having a clear lowered screen you can see the baby as soon as the baby is being born.

➜ It’s absolutely magical to watch your child come into the world.

There's no force equal to that of determined woman " - unknown

Some hospitals practice arm restrictions by strapping your arms to the operating table during a Cesarean birth, some don’t.

➜ Having your arms free is a part of gentle Cesarean birth.

Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life " - Maya Angelou

There is no moment more powerful than reaching down to pull your baby up to your chest at the moment of birth.

➜ It is sacred, and powerful, and complete bliss to be the very first person to place your hands on the sweet human you have been getting to know during pregnancy.

➜ Refocusing the moment of birth back to this intimate meeting of your baby creates lasting confidence in your ability to care for your children.

Let choice whisper in your ear and love murmur in your heart. Be ready. Here comes life " - Maya Angelou

The opportunity to catch your baby is a special and utterly magical moment.

➜ It is sacred, and powerful, and complete bliss to be the very first person to place your hands on the sweet newborn baby - let it be the parent.

I think one of the best things we could do would be to help women/parents/families discover their own birth power, from within themselves. And to let them know it’s always been there, they just needed to tap into it " - John H. Kennell

Each part of birth remains in your and partner's hands without any interjections from your birth team.

➜ Meeting your beautiful baby remains a truly intimate moment.

➜ Team green? This could really be the BEST surprise of your life!

Contact with you activates your baby’s parasympathetic nervous system that switches off stress; enhances digestions, healing and growth, and imprints calm and connection " - Sarah Buckley

Immediately placing your baby on your chest, skin-to-skin, changes EVERYTHING. This delicious, intimate contact has incredible benefits to both you and your baby and needs to be protected as sacred and necessary!

➜ Skin-to-skin helps release important hormones in both of you to stimulate intense attachment and bonding.

➜ Heart rate, blood sugar levels, breathing, and core body temperature are all regulated as baby is snuggling skin-to-skin with you.

➜ This natural urge for closeness with your baby is essential in establishing breastfeeding, easing the transition from the womb to the outside world, and falling head over heels in love with your baby!

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new " - Rajneesh

The first delicious hour after your baby is born into your arms deserves to be honored, respected, and as undisturbed as possible. Basking in the golden glow of new life - both your baby's and your own as a mother - is a sacred time of bonding and transition.

➜ Immediate skin-to-skin, patiently establishing the first latch and breastfeed, and holding off on all newborn procedures during the first hour(s) after birth allows you and your baby to soak in the blissful hormonal cocktail designed to create a powerful, lifetime bond.

➜ Protecting the Golden Hour after birth also ensures your baby has a peaceful transition to the world in the safety of your arms.

Vernix: don't wash it off, rub it in! " - unknown

The protective layer of waxy vernix covering babies as they are born is incredibly beneficial not only in the womb but also after birth. Preserve this magical substance instead of immediately wiping away the evidence of birth.

➜ When rubbed into the skin, vernix acts as a skin cleanser, moisturizer, and powerful antioxidant.

➜ Vernix can also help establish a healthy microbiome by picking up beneficial bacteria in the mother's birthing canal and helping to protect from an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

➜ Rubbing the vernix in on your baby's skin can also help regulate his temperature after birth!

At the time when Mother Nature prescribes awe and ecstasy, we have injections, examinations, and clamping and pulling on the cord. Instead of body heat and skin-to-skin contact, we have separation and wrapping. Where time should stand still for those eternal moments of first contact, as mother and baby fall deeply in love, we have haste to deliver the placenta and clean up for the next ‘case’ " - Sarah Buckley

Protecting the 3rd stage of birthing is essential in trusting and honoring the entire birthing process.

➜ There is no need to rush the birth of the placenta, just as there is no need to rush the birth of your baby.

➜ Refocus the time between the birth of the baby and the birth of the placenta to sacred skin-to-skin, bonding, and rejoicing in the ecstasy of it all!

Oxytocin, the hormone of love, builds up during labour reaching peak levels at the moment of birth, and even higher levels in the first postpartum hour, creating loving, connected feelings between mother and baby " - Sarah Buckley

When all is well there is no need to rush the birth of the placenta with synthetic oxytocin which is typically administered intravenously to help the uterus contract and expel the placenta.

➜ After birth natural oxytocin promotes intense attachment and bonding between you and your baby, and allows successful breastfeeding.

➜ High levels of oxytocin as the baby is breastfeeding help you birth the placenta and prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

Fear can be overcome only by Faith " - Grantly Dick-Read

Some care providers still insist on applying pressure at the top of the uterus during the third stage of birth from a place of fear.

➜ There are no proven benefits to fundal pressure but real risks to consider. Trust your body and protect those precious moments after the birth of your baby.

➜ There is no need to manually pressure your body into performing and completing the birthing process.

➜ Instead, you can support your body's release of essential hormones through skin-to-skin, breastfeeding, and honoring the Golden Hour without unnecessary disruptions.

Pulling on the cord was first recommended by Mauriceau in 1673, who feared that the uterus might close before the placenta was spontaneously delivered. In fact, the recumbent (lying) postures, increasingly adopted under doctor’s care meant that spontaneous delivery of the placenta was less likely: the upright postures that women and midwives have traditionally used encourage the placenta to fall out with the help of gravity " - Sarah Buckley

CCT stands for controlled cord traction - pulling on the umbilical cord to ‘help’ birth the placenta.

➜ Working with and trusting in our bodies to complete the full birthing process helps us remain in the joy and bliss of the experience without unnecessary disruption and intervention.

➜ Birthing in upright positions, encouraging the release of oxytocin through skin-to-skin with the baby, and breastfeeding are all ways nature intended to help our bodies birth our placentas without interference.

For a few minutes the baby straddles two worlds as it were. Then slowly, slowly he can cross the threshold from on to the other peacefully and easily, and with all safety, as long as we don’t rush in, interfere " - Frederick Leboyer

Waiting for the umbilical cord to cease pulsing and become white allows ALL of the blood from the placenta to be transferred to the baby - an absolutely essential step in the baby's transition from the womb to the outside world.

➜ Extra stores of iron and red blood cells help babies oxygenate more effectively and prepare for life without the constant support of the placenta.

➜ Beyond basic benefits are the more nuanced benefits of allowing for uninterrupted time and connection. By asserting a pause after birth through delayed cord clamping, you set the tone for that Golden Hour of bonding and pure bliss between you and your baby.

➜ Umbilical cord ties can be an alternative to regular plastic cord clamps used after your baby’s umbilical cord is cut.

Another thing very injurious to the child, is the tying and cutting of the navel string too soon; which should always be left till the child has not only repeatedly breathed but till all pulsation in the cord ceases. As otherwise the child is much weaker than it ought to be, a portion of the blood being left in the placenta, which ought to have been in the child… " - Erasmus Darwin

Optimal cord clamping or delayed cord clamping is waiting for the umbilical cord to cease pulsing and become white allows ALL of the blood from the placenta to be transferred to the baby - an absolutely essential step in the baby's transition from the womb to the outside world.

➜ Extra stores of iron and red blood cells help babies oxygenate more effectively and prepare for life without the constant support of the placenta.

➜ Beyond basic benefits are the more nuanced benefits of allowing for uninterrupted time and connection.

➜ By asserting a pause after birth through delayed cord clamping, you set the tone for that Golden Hour of bonding and pure bliss between you and your baby.

Keeping the cord intact means that baby and placenta stay on the altar of the family bed, visited only by the closest of family and friends. This keeps baby in the security of the family and slows down the pace of life " - Sunni Karlll

Lotus Birth can be a deeply spiritual practice of fully honoring and protecting the wholeness of our babies until they are prepared for the next stage of life.

➜ Keeping the cord intact until it naturally detaches from the baby guarantees all blood from the placenta is transferred to the baby.

➜ Extending the transition from the womb to the outside world helps your baby adjust to this new world at their own pace and encourages the entire family unit to focus on bonding and gentle care.

When a man is truly ‘present’ for the birth of his child and allows himself to be touched by the mystery unfolding before his eyes, he will have an unquestionable experience that can catapult him into the next phase of his development as a mature human being. His encounter with the power of birth…can connect him to his [their] partner and his child in ways that sustain him for the rest of his life " - John Franklin

The tradition of partners cutting the umbilical cord creates an important ritual signifying your baby’s final transition from womb to the outside world.

➜ This also helps place the partner in an advocacy role for other important birth decisions like delayed cord clamping, honoring the Golden Hour, and delaying newborn exams.

For nine months, it is the umbilical cord that connects mother and child. For a lifetime, it’s the heart " - Dessie Alilano

An umbilical cord tie is an alternative to the plastic clamp that is used to tie off an umbilical cord.

➜ Cord ties are woven with fibers like cotton, wool, linen or bamboo.

➜ Cord ties are soft against the baby’s skin and are less likely to get caught when changing the baby's diaper.

Women, don’t ever apologize for your behavior or choices during birth. When you OWN your experience and take pride in your journey, you help other women do the same thing. No matter how you did it, you just brought a human being into the world! The world should be kneeling at your feet " - Lauralyn Curtis

Saving your placenta after birth is your right and can open the door for powerful practices and options during your postpartum period.

➜ Working with your care provider during pregnancy to make arrangements for saving your placenta can help ensure a smooth process in the moments after birth.

➜ Consuming your placenta through different methods (smoothies, encapsulation tablets, etc.) can help manage the major hormonal shifts after birth.

The term ‘cord blood’ banking is misleading. The blood collected via umbilical cord is the baby's blood. When adults donate blood it is collected via their arm. We don’t refer to that blood as their ‘arm blood’ " - Rachel Reed

There might be minimal or no blood to collect when all of the baby’s blood has transferred into the baby. The blood that remains in the umbilical cord connected to the placenta contains all the elements of blood - red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, but it’s also rich in stem cells.

➜ Stems cells have the ability to grow into many different kinds of cells like bone marrow cells, blood cells or brain cells.

➜ These stem cells in your baby’s blood might play a role in healing after birth and in longer term protection from disease.

➜ It’s highly unlikely that anyone in your family would ever need your baby’s cord blood and your baby would probably need stem cells from someone else rather than their own stem cells.

The term ‘cord blood’ banking is misleading. The blood collected via umbilical cord is the baby's blood. When adults donate blood it is collected via their arm. We don’t refer to that blood as their ‘arm blood’ " - Rachel Reed

Collecting the baby's blood (which belongs to the baby) requires premature cord clamping. The blood that remains in the umbilical cord connected to the placenta contains all the elements of blood - red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma, but it’s also rich in stem cells.

➜ Stems cells have the ability to grow into many different kinds of cells like bone marrow cells, blood cells or brain cells.

➜ These stem cells can be used in the treatment of patients with blood and immune system disorders such as leukemia, myelomas, lymphomas, myeloproliferative syndrome, and others.

➜ Your baby’s stem cells can be used in the treatment of family members who have a disease - parents having a 100%, siblings having a 75% and grandparents having a 25% likelihood of being compatible.

➜ Your baby would probably require stem cells from someone else rather than their own stem cells if ever needed.

➜ Your baby's blood can be stored at a public cord blood bank, private cord blood bank or biobank.

The way a culture treats women in birth is a good indicator of how well women and their contributions to society are valued and honored " - Ina May Gaskin

Today, the husband stitch is considered malpractice - obstetricians have sometimes sewn an extra stitch or two while repairing vaginal tears and episiotomies after childbirth.

➜ It was thought the extra stitch would tighten the vaginal opening and increase sexual pleasure for the husband/male partner.

➜ Many women have gotten the husband stitch without their knowledge or consent.

➜ Adverse reactions include longer recovery, chronic pain and discomfort, painful sex, swelling, scar tissue formation and infections.

One of the most empowering outcomes of microbiome awareness is rooted in the intrinsic ability of the body to heal " - Amanda Ledwith

Vaginal seeding, also known as microbirthing, is a procedure where vaginal fluids are applied to a newborn baby born by cesarean section.

➜ This is done to recreate a natural transfer of the healthy microbiome that the baby gets during a vaginal birth.

➜ A cotton gauze or a swab is used to collect your vaginal fluids. Then the seeded gauze is wiped all over the baby's head and body, and your nipples to supply a healthy microbiome.

Antibiotics are a miracle of medicine, but we must use them responsibly " - Alexander Fleming

During your birthing there may be times when your provider will suggest giving you an antibiotic. Some reasons are GBS, ruptured membranes, fever or just incase when preparing for a cesarean.

➜ Depending on your individual situation you have a choice to take a wait and see approach, accept or decline the antibiotics.

➜ Exposing newborns to antibiotics disrupts their initial gut colonization at a critical time when a baby’s immune system is being established.

➜ Potential side effects of using antibiotics are developing a rash, affecting your baby’s developing immune system, thrush, and yeast infections in your baby.

The benefits to the mother of immediate breastfeeding are innumerable, not the least of which after the weariness of labor and birth is the emotional gratification, the feeling of strength, the composure, and the sense of fulfillment that comes with the handling and suckling of the baby " - Ashley Montague

Extend a respectful, hands-off approach to the incredible first latch! After placing your baby skin-to-skin on your chest, you can gently support them as they use their incredible instincts to wiggle their way to your breast. #breastcrawl

➜ The first few days of breastfeeding are essential in establishing a strong immune system through colostrum. Colostrum is super concentrated, high in nutrients, and full of antibodies - basically liquid gold!

➜ Alongside the incredible health benefits to both of you, breastfeeding requires a slowed pace and focus on tuning into the beautiful relationship being built between you and your baby.

➜ Breastfeeding meets your baby's physical needs, but also their emotional needs for connection, comfort, and love.

While breastfeeding may not seem the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby " - Amy Spangler

Chestfeeding is a term used by many transmasculine and non-binary people to describe how they feed their babies from their bodies.

➜ Other terms that are also being used are body feeding, nursing and breastfeeding.

I told her she got her milk out of a bottle and I told her that with every bottle I gave her, I gave her a bit of my heart " - The Gentle Mum Blog

Bottle feeding might be needed incase of premature or a very low birth weight baby, trouble latching on to breastfeed, or very rarely your body not making enough breast milk.

➜ Unless it’s essential, a bottle should not be introduced to a baby who is less than three or four weeks old.

➜ Bottle feeding can allow you to share feeding duties and help your partner have a wonderful bonding experience.

➜ Skin-to- skin, eye contact and gentle touch while bottle feeding increases intimacy, connection, comfort, and love.

➜ You can bottle feed with your own breast milk, donor breast milk, animal milk, home-made or commercial baby formula.

A breastfeeding support kit from a formula company is like a vegetarianism support kit from a pig farmer " - Annie at PhD in Parenting

Protecting your and your baby’s breastfeeding relationship is incredibly important in the first moments, days, and weeks after birth.

➜ Ensuring baby is not provided alternatives such as pacifiers or formula without your consent will help encourage a proper latch and bolster your supply!

➜ Trusting your body's ability to meet your baby's needs is a natural extension of trusting your body's ability to grow and birth your baby.

➜ Rather than trying to deter comfort nursing with pacifiers or manage and control milk intake with easily measurable formula feeding, you are able to respond to your baby's cues and needs instinctually.

The moment she had laid the child to the breast both became perfectly calm " - Isak Dinesen

Sometimes hospitals use sucrose water to help sooth or distract your baby from discomfort and pain.

➜ Breastfeeding is more effective than sugar water for reducing discomfort, if you’re able to breastfeed during procedures such as heel prick, shot or having blood drawn.

➜ There are no nutritional benefits of your baby having sugar water.

The breast was the first pacifier and in most cases remains the best " - Kelly Bonyata

Responding to your baby's need to suck, especially in their first moments, is essential to establishing trust in your breastfeeding relationship. Your body is perfectly designed to meet all of your baby's needs.

➜ When infants' innate need to suck is met with the option to nurse you increase opportunities for connection, bonding, and establishing a core belief that your baby's needs for food, safety, and comfort will consistently be met.

➜ Allowing your little one to nurse on demand instead of offering a pacifier helps you to establish your milk supply and your baby to establish their latch.

Part of birthing without fear is trusting your instincts! " - Brande Holm

In an effort to avoid painful shots in your baby's first moments of life you may choose to follow a weekly regimen of high-quality oral vitamin K rather than the injected form.

➜ Researching your options and trusting your instincts about what is best for your family is the first critical step in becoming a parent.

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood " - Marie Curie

Vitamin K shot is injected to almost all babies within hours of birth to support newborn's blood clotting abilities in order to prevent a very rare, but dangerous vitamin K deficiency bleeding -- VKDB

➜ Newborn babies are born with low levels of vitamin K and their natural prothrombin (clotting factor) reach normal levels between days 5 and 7, peaking around day 8 - this is related to the buildup of bacteria in the digestive tract to produce vitamin K.

➜ Colostrum and breast milk contain small amounts of natural vitamin K, while formula has relatively high levels of vitamin K1.

➜ The preservative-free vitamin K shot is free from preservatives like Phenol, Benzyl alcohol, Propylene glycol, Acetic acid, Hydrochloric acid, Lecithin, and Castor oil.

➜ The preservative-free vitamin K shot includes ingredients like polysorbate 80, propylene glycol, sodium acetate anhydrous and glacial acetic acid.

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood " - Marie Curie

Vitamin K shot is injected to almost all babies within hours of birth to support newborn's blood clotting abilities in order to prevent a very rare, but dangerous vitamin K deficiency bleeding -- VKDB

➜ Newborn babies are born with low levels of vitamin K. Their natural prothrombin (clotting factor) reach normal levels between days 5 and 7, peaking around day 8 - this is related to the buildup of bacteria in the digestive tract to produce vitamin K.

➜ Colostrum and breast milk contain small amounts of natural vitamin K, while formula has relatively high levels of vitamin K1.

➜ There are oral vitamin K regimens that have been shown to be as effective as vitamin K shots.

➜ Trusting your instincts and choosing providers who offer evidence-based information and reverence for you as the ultimate authority in what is best for your baby is essential to a respectful postpartum experience.

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood " - Marie Curie

Vitamin K shot is injected to almost all babies within hours of birth to support newborn's blood clotting abilities in order to prevent a very rare, but dangerous vitamin K deficiency bleeding -- VKDB

➜ Newborn babies are born with low levels of vitamin K. Their natural prothrombin (clotting factor) reach normal levels between days 5 and 7, peaking around day 8 - this is related to the buildup of bacteria in the digestive tract to produce vitamin K.

➜ Colostrum and breast milk contain small amounts of natural vitamin K, while formula has relatively high levels of vitamin K1.

It calls into question the justification of a universal use policy for all babies born to healthy mothers at birth in order to make sure the babies born to unidentified hep B positive mothers get the vaccine " - Barbara Loe Fisher

Hep B vaccine is given to almost all babies within 24 hours of their birth due to the possibility of Hepatitis B virus passing from mother to baby during birth.

➜ There are different blood tests for Hepatitis B during your pregnancy, they can also tell if you have had the virus in the past and are now immune to it.

➜ Researching options and having a plan in place will help you focus fully on bonding with your baby and basking in the blissful glow of birth!

To your baby, you are the best mother " - William Sears

Hep B vaccine is given to almost all babies within 24 hours of their birth due to the possibility of Hepatitis B virus passing from mother to baby during birth.

➜ Your baby is at risk if you tested positive for Hepatitis B, had unprotected sex with multiple partners and shared drug needles during your pregnancy.

➜ There are different blood tests for Hepatitis B during your pregnancy, they can also tell if you have had the virus in the past and are now immune to it.

At a time when Mother Nature prescribes awe and ecstasy, we have injections, examinations, and [cord] clamping… Instead of body heat and skin to skin contact, we have separation… Where time should stand still for those eternal moments of first contact as mother and baby fall deeply in love, we have haste to deliver the placenta and clean up for the next case " - Sarah Buckley

Honoring the magical and extremely important first moments after birth by having routine baby exams done while the baby is on your chest.

➜ Babies should never be separated from their mothers right after birth unless there is an acute medical necessity.

➜ This allows you and your baby to bond, encourages skin-to-skin, and establishes breastfeeding early.

➜ You can bask in that afterglow of your blissful birth as you finally meet the little person you have worked so hard to bring earthside!

A person's a person, no matter how small " - Dr. Seuss

Gazing into your newborn’s eyes does not need to include a layer of thick eye ointment.

➜ Focusing on bonding, rest, and only medically necessary interventions or treatments helps you extend the power and confidence you found during birth.

➜ Using erythromycin ointment as a preventative treatment may not be necessary when mothers have had access to reliable testing for STD's prior to birth.

➜ Choosing to have a low or no intervention birth philosophy can also extend into your parenting choices.

A person's a person, no matter how small " - Dr. Seuss

Newborns receive routine erythromycin eye ointment after birth to prevent pink eye also called ophthalmia neonatorum (ON).

➜ A newborn can only get ON from chlamydia or gonorrhea if the mother is infected at the time of the birth.

➜ Delaying eye ointment application for the first hour(s) can give you and your baby time to bond and have the very first feed undisturbed.

At a time when Mother Nature prescribes awe and ecstasy, we have injections, examinations, and [cord] clamping… Instead of body heat and skin to skin contact, we have separation… Where time should stand still for those eternal moments of first contact as mother and baby fall deeply in love, we have haste to deliver the placenta and clean up for the next ‘case' " - Sarah Buckley

Honoring the magical and extremely important first moments after birth by delaying routine baby exams.

➜ This allows you and your baby to bond, encourages skin-to-skin, and establishes breastfeeding early.

➜ You can bath in that afterglow of your blissful birth as you finally meet the little person you have worked so hard to bring earthside!

Did god make man too perfect, So that a piece has to be removed through circumcision? " - A.J. Beirens

Protecting your child's bodily autonomy is a cornerstone of respectful parenting and relationships in general.

➜ Circumcision is a painful (during and after) surgical procedure that is cosmetic in nature and completely medically unnecessary for your beautiful newborn boy.

➜ Declining circumcision or forced retraction of your son's foreskin communicates a deep respect for and trust in the way his body is designed - absolutely perfect, just like your daughter's.

➜ Considering the ethical implications of forced retraction and circumcision is important as parents both personally and culturally.

There’s been a gentler view towards birth and the care of the baby, and that’s made a difference. There’s been really a revolution in skill level at bedside, which includes a more hands-off approach " - William Keenan

Waiting to bathe your baby for at least the first day(s) is beneficial to your baby physically as well as refocusing those first hours and days on bonding, feeding, and getting to know each other!

➜ Soaking up every moment of skin-to-skin after birth is vital to bonding, establishing bonding, and allowing you and your baby rest and connect after birth.

➜ Delaying your baby's bath can help establish a healthy microbiome, protect their body temperature, and allow the amazing vernix to soak into their skin!