We all want a beautiful birth.
BUT HOW CAN I HAVE MY BEAUTIFUL BIRTH YOU MAY ASK??
EDUCATION WILL PLAY A MAJOR ROLE HERE: THE MORE YOU KNOW THE MORE YOU KNOW AND IF YOU DON’T KNOW, YOU DON’T KNOW.
AS A DOULA, I KNOW THAT YOUR BIRTH ENVIRONMENT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE
So let’s get started with some ideas!
5 tips to creating a beautiful birth environment:
1. Dim lighting/fairy lights/LED tea lights – as a doula I love to go in and to set up the space with lots of soft lighting so think of lots of LED little tea lights. You can just get those at Kmart or target and we might set up some fairy lights and wherever possible I really ask any of the midwives or the obstetricians or whoever is in there if we can just turn the lights down. Dim lighting really helps women to get into the zone and it really helps with oxytocin flow. Oxytocin does not like bright lights.
2. Minimal talking – so whether it’s midwives or students whoever’s in the room just ensuring that everyone speaking in quiet voice and ideally there aren’t many conversations at all. No one is interested in the footy score!
THE FOCUS REALLY NEEDS TO BE THE BIRTHING WOMAN
3. Favourite music – in the lead up to the birth I really encourage the women I support to play around with some music and work out what music makes you fall into a relaxed state, what music have you perhaps practised your affirmations with. Bring a couple of playlists – some that is soft and relaxing and also a pump up playlist for when you need an energy boost.
4. Surrounded yourself with people you trust: women need to be able to get out of their head and into their body during labour and birth.
This includes care providers but also family.
You may love your mum but is she the best person to see you in pain and support your birth plan?
Your sister may be your best friend but does she share the same views on birthing as you?
5. The best thing you can do for your birth is to hire a DOULA – someone who has seen birth before, knows the process, knows the system. She will help you feel safe, supported and capable. She will believe in you when you no longer believe in yourself. She will create a bubble around you.
She is someone who can support both you and your partner.
Think about it, if you were hiking in Nepal for the first time, your partner may be super pumped about it, read the books and love you lots and look forward to the climb with you , BUT you would totally take a Sherpa with you. Someone who had done the climb before, knew the pitfalls and how to make it as enjoyable as possible.
SPOILER ALERT: YOUR DOULA IS YOUR SHERPA
DOULAS CAN HELP YOU HAVE A BETTER BIRTH EXPERIENCE.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
DID YOU HAVE A DOULA FOR YOUR BIRTH OR DID YOU EVEN KNOW THEY WERE A THING??
If want to plan for your beautiful birth then check out the Nest Active Birth Workshop held through out the year or if in person workshops aren’t your thing you can purchase the same course online to learn in the comfort of your own home. Or if a Doula seems like the way to go for you then you can see all my packages here.