Tips for Conscious Pregnancy and Birth

Compiled by Lara Catone

  • View your pregnancy as a time for deep inner exploration within yourselves and relationships.  Ask lots of big questions of yourself and partner such as:
    • What do we want for our pregnancy and birthing?
    • What are our fundamental beliefs about pregnancy and birth and do they support our goals?
    • What are our fears?
    • What are our dreams?
    • What information/support systems will help us to achieve our goals?
    • Where can we seek more information?
    • What were our births like?  Is there healing that needs to take place from our early lives?
    • Do we have other unresolved issues personally or within our relationship? 
    • Why do we want to bring another life into this world?
    • What kind of parents will we be?
    • How can we strengthen our bond?
    • How can we practice deep intimacy amidst our changing roles?
  • Take lots of time for yourself doing things you enjoy. The following activities are great:
    • Prenatal and partner yoga
    • Dance (belly dancing!)
    • Journaling/ Writing
    • Painting
    • Drawing
    • Swimming
    • Walking
    • Gardening
    • Meditation/ Deep relaxation
  • Affirmations are a strong way to manifest your desires for a healthy pregnancy, birth and postpartum period.  You can write affirmations and then read/repeat them to yourself aloud or silently.  Write your affirmations in first person, present tense with positive statements (I feel good vs. I don't feel bad). Here are some examples:
    • My baby is growing, beautiful, and strong.
    • The universe loves and supports me and my baby.
    • I am and will be a good parent to my child.
    • I trust my body, and I follow its lead.
    • My mind is relaxed; my body is relaxed.
    • I am relaxed and happy that my baby is coming to me.
  • Use visualization techniques to picture exactly how you want your labor and birthing to be.  Visualization is also helpful for deep relaxation and meditation.
  • Communicate with your baby.
    • Take time out each day to talk to your baby and send messages of love and happiness.
    • Mental, or silent, messages can be just as powerful as spoken ones.
    • Tell your baby what the birth will be like and that you are ready to receive him/her and will be patient until they are ready.
    • Have partner and siblings take time to speak to the baby.
    • Read to or play soft music (classical is great) for your baby.
    • Sit quietly and receive messages from your baby.
    • Be mindful that everything that you feel your baby will feel as well.
  • Do your homework.  Make informed decisions by educating yourself even more than you would with other major decisions/changes in your life.
    • Interview your care provider(s) carefully to be sure that their philosophy and protocol will   support your desires and goals.
    • Ask caregiver(s) about their personal statistics for epidural, induction, c-section rate.
    • Seek out information from lots of resources (your care provider, internet, books, a doula, a       childbirth educator, alternative health practitioners, support groups/organizations).
    • Learn what’s happening in your body and with your baby through various times in the   pregnancy.
    • Know what nutrition is best specifically for you and baby especially if you have a special diet.
    • Know your rights as a birthing mom to make choices and informed decisions about testing   and medical procedures.
    • Find out more about tests routinely given for prenatal care to know if they are really appropriate/necessary for you.
    • Find out about all of the possible interventions performed in a hospital, when these become absolutely necessary, and your decision-making power over these interventions.
    • Research childbirth preparation and methods (i.e. Bradley, Hypnobirthithg, Birthing from Within).
    • And don’t forget about the postpartum: health, nutrition, exercise, breastfeeding, newborn   care, and parenting.
  • Avoid getting caught up on your “due date.”
    •  It’s really an ESTIMATED date.  
    • Only 5% of women go into labor on their due date.
    • Babies gestate for different lengths of time 40 weeks is only an average length of time. Anywhere from 37-42 weeks is considered full-term.
    • Consider a time that is your possible “birth month” instead.
  • Stay away from negative stories and messages about birth. 
  • Surrender to this beautiful, magical time in your life, let nature run her course, and enjoy each step of the way!