As you get closer to your birth, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. But preparation can make all the difference in how you experience this life-changing event. Here are three practical strategies you can start today to preparing for a more positive and empowering birth experience—no matter how busy life may be!
1. Fill Your Podcast Queue with Birth-Positive Episodes
One of the easiest and most effective ways to prepare for your birth is by filling your podcast queue with episodes that build knowledge and boost confidence. Whether you’re cleaning the house, commuting, or winding down for the evening, listening to birth-related podcasts can be a great way to educate yourself and keep your mindset focused on a positive birth experience.
We have over 80 episodes oh the Changing Birth with Hannah Willsmore Podcast, and some of our most popular episodes have actually been ones from right at the beginning. There's lots of gold in there so I highly recommend scrolling back to those old episodes and adding to your queue. We've got an episode on working with pain in labour, preparing your partner, exercise in pregnancy, how I prepared for my own birth, what hypnobirthing is all about, how to write a birth plan, how to prepare for a positive cesarean plus loads more.
There is SO much info in there and I am sure that if you binge listen to a whole heap of episodes you will be in such a good place as you approach your birth!
2. Start Using Affirmations
Affirmations are a simple yet powerful tool to shift your mindset and prepare emotionally for your birth. When practiced consistently, affirmations can help you move from a place of fear and worry to one of trust and confidence in your body’s ability to birth.
Affirmations work by consciously repeating particular statements that align with your desired beliefs, which gradually sink into your subconscious mind. Over time, these affirmations help change any fear-based beliefs you may hold about birth (for example "birth is dangerous" or "I wont be able to handle the pain") and replace them with more empowering ideas. You can download our Printable Affirmations here which I recommend printing and putting on your bathroom mirror so you see them everyday. Print them out, keep them visible, and make them part of your routine.
However - you don’t need to wait until you’ve printed a beautiful list of affirmations to get started. You can begin today with just a few simple phrases.
Try these three affirmations to get you started:
I can do anything for 60 seconds.
Each contraction brings me closer to meeting my baby.
I am safe and supported.
Write these on sticky notes and put them on your bathroom mirror or somewhere you’ll see them every day. Or, for an easy reminder, change the name of your morning alarm to one of these affirmations. The key is consistency—make it a daily practice, and over time, these positive thoughts will help rewire your mindset and reduce fear as you approach your birth.
3. Have an Open Conversation with Your Partner
One of the most important steps in preparing for a positive birth is ensuring that you and your partner are on the same page. Over dinner tonight, take a moment to ask your partner if they have any fears or concerns about the birth and whether they feel confident in how they can support you—both physically and emotionally.
Many partners may not realise how vital their role is during labor, or they may feel unsure of what they can do to help. But in reality, aside from you as the birthing person, your partner is the most important person in the room. They know you best, they can offer emotional reassurance, and for many women, their partner is the only familiar face in what can be a very intense and unfamiliar experience.
Having a conversation now about how you can prepare as a team is essential. If your partner is hesitant about childbirth classes, reassure them that it’s not all hippy-dippy stuff—they’ll learn practical techniques that can make a big difference in how they support you. Techniques like massage or the hip squeeze can be incredibly helpful during labor, and the more your partner practices, the more confident and comfortable they’ll feel in their role. I love seeing the change in partners in our Held Empowering Birth classes, and their confidence growing when we actually try out some of the partner support techniques (like massage, hip squeeze).
If your partner is still reluctant, consider getting them involved in our online hypnobirthing course, and encourage them to listen to the modules while they’re driving. This way, they can learn at their own pace and be better equipped to support you.
By taking these three steps today—filling your podcast queue, using affirmations, and starting a conversation with your partner—you’ll be well on your way to a more informed, confident, and empowered birth experience.
Preparation isn’t just about the logistics of birth; it’s also about building the emotional and mental foundation that will support you when the time comes.
You’ve got this mama!
Keen to have some more support with preparing for birth? Check out how you can work with us!
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