Birth: The preparation
Preparing for birth: where to start?
Maybe you already feel completely ready — or maybe you have no idea where to begin. The better prepared you are, the more likely you are to enter labour with confidence and calm. Good preparation not only helps reduce fear and uncertainty, but also gives you a sense of control over your own birth experience. In our experience, women (and partners) who prepare well tend to look back on the birth more positively. This article helps guide you step by step.
Information video
The information video we recorded for you as a practice is the minimum preparation for your birth. We believe that everyone who will be present at your birth should have watched this video. That way, you can be sure that you’ve heard all the essential information at least once.
After watching the video, you may have new questions, wishes, or ideas. In our Academy, you’ll find many more in-depth articles about labour — read what interests you. You can also find inspiration in various books about childbirth; see our book list for recommendations.
Talking about this with your birth partner is very important. Why do you prefer to give birth at home or in the hospital? What helps you relax? What makes you nervous? What do you expect from each other? Having this conversation is essential, even if you don’t plan to write a full birth plan.
Mental preparation: expectations and mindset
The image we have of birth is often shaped by movies, other people’s stories, and fears we’ve developed over time. It’s important, however, to create your own image and have realistic expectations.
How to prepare mentally
- Learn about the process: Read about the different stages of labour so you know what to expect.
- Recognise your fears and address them: Are you afraid of pain, losing control, or complications? Talk about it with your partner and with us — together we’ll find ways to manage it.
- Use affirmations and visualisations: Positive statements about what you want to happen, combined with relaxation exercises, can help you approach birth with more confidence.
- Stay flexible: It’s good to have wishes, but birth doesn’t always go according to plan. Be open to adjustments when needed.
Birth preferences
Writing down your birth preferences helps both you and us understand your wishes, ideas, and motivations. While a birth can’t be planned exactly and you can’t know beforehand what you’ll want or need, it’s still very helpful for us to know what your ideal scenario looks like.
For example: you may really want to give birth at home because it feels more comfortable and hospitals make you a bit nervous. In that case, it’s helpful to discuss together (with us) what we can do if you do need to go to the hospital. How can we make that environment feel as calm and familiar as possible? Think of bringing your own blanket, a photo frame, music, or dimmed lights.
We encourage you to consider all possible scenarios. Around 33 weeks, we’ll ask about your birth wishes. If you’d like to discuss them earlier, that’s of course possible — just mention it when scheduling your appointment, so we can allow extra time.
We’ve written an article with a sample birth plan as a guide for discussing and writing down your birth preferences. Bring it with you to the appointment where we discuss your birth. This consultation is longer than a regular one — about 40 minutes — so there’s plenty of time to talk everything through. The wishes you write down are a guideline; you can always adjust them later.
Practical things to arrange
In addition to mental preparation, there are a few practical things you’ll want to organize before the big day. A few essentials not to forget:
1. Your birth plan
As mentioned above, this serves as a guide for discussing and writing down your birth preferences. In the following article, we go into more detail.
2. The hospital bag
Even if you plan to give birth at home, it’s smart to have a hospital bag ready by 36–37 weeks. Label it with a Post-It note listing items you can only pack at the last moment, like your phone or ID card.
For a full checklist, see our hospital bag download.
4. Getting your home ready for the baby
There are many items you’ll need for both the birth and baby care. We’ve written several articles to help you prepare:
5. Childcare for older children
If you already have children, make sure you have a childcare plan in place. Think through different scenarios and prepare for all possibilities, for example:
- You go into labour at night / during the day.
- You have time to wait for a babysitter / you need to go to the hospital right away.
- You give birth at home / in the hospital.
Read more in the article What to do with older siblings during birth.
Want to know more?
Taking a birth course can also help you prepare. There are different types of courses:
- Physical: Focused on relaxation and birthing positions.
- Informative: Focused on understanding the birth process.
- Combined: A mix of theory and practice.
Some courses are held in groups, others individually. In this article we explain the differences in more detail. Check out our address book for ideas — or ask us for recommendations.
Where are you now?
Good preparation helps you approach your birth with more confidence. Start with the birth information video, discuss your expectations and wishes, and make your practical preparations. Unsure about certain choices? We’re here to help!