Prepare yourself holistically for a magical, blissful and natural childbirth. How to prepare for natural childbirth
Prepare for natural childbirth, holistically.
Planning on natural birth? These 11 practises integrating body, mind and soul. Prepare yourself for a spiritual natural birth experience.
Giving life to another soul is such a blessing.
Get inspired how to holistically prepare yourself for a mind-blowing birth experience.
How to prepare for natural childbirth:
- Getting your body ready for a natural birth
- Setting your mind at ease for a natural delivery
- Welcoming the soul of your baby for giving birth naturally
- Summary
Getting your body ready for a natural birth
Giving natural birth. Or better, “giving light” how they call it in Spanish. Is one of the most intense experiences for your body. Although I see birth as a spiritual experience. I never been so much in my body as while giving birth. Such a unique experience.
Prepare for natural birth physically:
A healthy (plant based) diet
Food is energy for your body and soul. It is literally the fuel for your body. The more healthy you eat, the more fit and energetic your body will be. Giving birth is more intense than running a marathon. On a physical level. Therefore, preparing your body with a wholesome and nutrient-dense diet is a gift for you and your baby.
I’ve been plant-based from (way before) conception.
During the whole of my pregnancy, I felt good. I didn’t experience any complications or morning sickness. Until the day of giving natural birth, I was able to dance and do yoga.
Therefore I’d highly recommend a plant-based diet.
- Read on: My positive natural home-birth story
- Read on: 9 Essentials for a healthy plant-based pregnancy diet
Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal Yoga is a perfect way to prepare your body for natural childbirth. As a yin yoga teacher, I love a pregnancy yin flow to open the body, especially the hips. And, to ease the mind (more on that later!). A more vinyasa-style prenatal yoga was my favourite during the second trimester to get strong.
Personally, I started with a daily yoga practice from the second trimester. The first trimester I didn’t feel much like practising yoga as I felt too tired. Which was fine with me, I just went how my body told me. However, when I did get on the mat to do some yin yoga and meditation I felt much better.
Always remember: your body is your guide. Do what feels good for you.
—> Check out this yin style prenatal yoga practise
Kegel exercises
Kegel exercises are literately opening doors. These daily kegel exercises are great to open the way for baby. Kegel exercises help you to make your pelvic muscles strong but also teaches your body to relax them. This both come in handy when giving birth naturally. But believe me, you won’t and don’t need to remember all.
During natural childbirth, your body knows.
Although, it is great that you trained before. Don’t be too harsh on yourself. Great if you can do these practices every day. But if you forget or don’t feel like it – that is also perfectly fine. Be kind to yourself mama!
—> Kegel and pranayama exercises for natural childbirth
Walking in nature
Walking in nature combines all the levels of body, mind and soul. While the action of walking is the best way to train your body in a gentle way. Walking in nature also eases the mind and nurtures the soul. Especially during the third trimester.
Actually, throughout the whole pregnancy walking helps to position your baby in an ideal way for a natural birth. Namely with baby’s head down. Which is important when giving natural birth at home.
Dance and be happy
Dance and be happy! As baby feels what you are feeling. Do you love dancing? Keep doing what you love mama!
Dancing is another perfect way to make sure baby is in the right position. In the last stages before birth, it will help to lower the baby.
But, most of all: it is an amazing way to move your body and be happy! Because feeling happy is the most important way to prepare for the baby.
Setting your mind at ease for a natural delivery
Setting your mind at ease for a natural delivery. While it is suggested to stay out of your mind and go into your body. It is easier said than done. Especially now while being pregnant. As this is such an exciting time. A whole new journey in your life. Therefore some inspiration for your mind!
Reading
During pregnancy is your time to read mama! As soon, when the baby arrives, it is hard(er) to find time for the books.
I don’t know how many pregnancy books I’ve read: A lot!
Although, I notice during meditation that I went too much into my head and needed to listen to my intuition. I do have a few favourite books with some practical, inspirational and spiritual ways of approaching birth.
You find a list of inspirational pregnancy books here.
Another amazing read is the Holistic stages of birth by Wapio.
Birth plan
Another good way to set your mind at ease is by preparing your birth plan.
While creating your birth plan you take into consideration all the different options there are during birth. So you don’t need to take any decisions in the heat of the moment.
There are lots of things to consider when giving birth. By making a birth plan you to prepare on a practical level. However, besides all the practical choices you can also include the beautiful details. Like how you want to create your birthing space. And what kind of music you like to listen to.
Birth playlist
Creating a birth playlist is a lovely way of preparing for your natural birth. As you go through different stages in your birth it is nice to make several playlists. For example, in the first stage of my birth, I loved dancing to “Ecstatic Dance music”. This music I didn’t prepare on the forehand but just felt like it. Luckily, I was still active enough to search for my favourite DJ and to dance along.
When the contractions got heavier I wanted to listen to my birth mantra playlist. Whilst meditating and breathing on my birth ball.
Then I got in the final stages of labour I loved listening to Whale and dolphins sounds.
Pranayama
Pranayama is an Indian practice of breath work. It helps to ease the mind. Because besides preparing on a mind level.
Calming down your mind is also essential for a holistic pregnancy.
When being pregnant there are some breathing techniques to avoid. Especially “retaining” the breath. So be sure to do a practice suitable for pregnancy.
–> Check out this: Prenatal pranayama practise
Welcoming the soul of your baby for giving birth naturally
The most special way to prepare for natural childbirth is on a soul level.
It is such a magical thing to give birth to another soul. Growing a small human inside of you.
If you haven’t already, now is a perfect moment to connect with the soul of your baby. And in this way, start to bond on a deep level with your baby.
Meditation
Going inward during mediation.
Placing your hands on your belly. Sending love to your baby. Quieting your mind so you can listen to baby’s soul. Feeling the amazing bundle of energy living in your womb.
You can either go completely silent and follow your intuition or listen to a guided meditation.
—> Check out: Guided prenatal meditation connecting with the soul of your baby.
Journaling
Another beautiful way to connect with the soul of your baby is by journaling. You can either write a journal for your baby or write in your diary. Try to write from your heart. Go into a creative writing flow. Without overthinking: also called intuitive writing. This is when your soul talks to the soul of your baby.
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions, experiences and sensations. Feelings like you’ve never felt before.
Journaling is also a great tool to bring calmness to your mind.
Reiki
Reiki is an exchange of universal energy – an exchange of love.
During my pregnancy giving Reiki to our baby was our special moment of connection. Every morning with the sunrise.
While connecting with my baby I shared how much I love her and asking her to connect on a soul level. She was exchanging some kicks and butterfly sensations in return. It was such a magical exchange of energy and love.
If you aren’t a Reiki practitioner (yet) getting a Reiki treatment will benefit both you and your baby.
When being pregnant your soul is emerging and your consciousness is expanding. You are way more in-tuned with all that is around.
The Reiki experiences I’ve had during my pregnancy have been the most profound in my life.
Summary
Preparing yourself for natural childbirth will not only benefit labour.
It also creates more joy and profound moments with your baby – during your holistic pregnancy.
Getting your body ready for a natural birth.
While preparing on a body level will help with your energy level and the physical act of birth. With activities like prenatal yoga, dancing, walking.
Setting your mind at ease for a natural delivery.
So you won’t stress (too much) during your pregnancy. You can prepare by reading pregnancy books and by making a birth plan.
However, welcoming the soul of your baby is most profound. Getting ready for giving birth naturally by meditation, journalling and Reiki.
Enjoy your holistic pregnancy journey mama!
How do you prepare for natural childbirth?
How do you prepare for your natural childbirth? Please enlighten us in the comment section below.
Let’s inspire each other!
