Every pregnancy is unique—just like every person. Have you ever thought about what kind of pregnant person you are? And does that actually fit with how you’d like to be? By reflecting on your own way of navigating pregnancy, you can make more conscious choices about how you want to prepare and what kind of care suits you best.
Thinking in boxes…
Everyone is different, and of course, no category is ever perfect. Still, it can be helpful to gain a few insights. Below you’ll find four ‘types’ of pregnant people: the Hedgehog, the Dog, the Alpaca and the Owl.
🦔 Go-with-the-flow (Hedgehog)
🦔 Go-with-the-flow (Hedgehog)
You’d prefer everything to just stay as normal as possible. Tests and detailed information aren’t really your thing; you don’t want to worry about what might go wrong. You’re not into pregnancy books or courses and tend to postpone decisions ("You never know how things will go anyway").
What this might mean for you:
- You might feel less prepared for birth, which can make it feel unexpectedly intense.
- If you’re dreading something or feeling anxious, it helps to talk about it.
- It can be harder for us to assess when medical attention is needed.
Risk for us as midwives:
- Fear or lack of preparation might go unnoticed for too long.
- You may miss important information needed to make good choices.
- Our advice might come across as pushy or fear-based.
How we can support you:
We understand that you don’t want your pregnancy (or any fears or doubts) to take over. That’s why we’ll give you only the information that really matters and let you decide how much you want to know.
If you recognize yourself in this type, let us know! That way, we can work together to find the right care for you.
🐶 The Classic Patient (Dog)
🐶 The Classic Patient (Dog)
You trust the experts and follow the standard path. If something’s wrong, you call during office hours and feel relieved when the assistant reassures you. You might take a course, read a book, and prepare the way others typically do. "Just be normal, that’s crazy enough."
What this might mean for you:
- You may be surprised to learn there are more choices than you thought.
- You follow standard advice, not always knowing there are alternatives.
Risk for us as midwives:
- We might not realise you’d like to know more than “just the basics”.
- You may have concerns you don’t mention, thinking "It’s probably normal."
How we can support you:
We’ll show you all your options through the Academy so you can explore without having to ask directly. That way, you can decide what feels right for you.
If you recognize yourself in this type, let us know! Then we can discuss together what kind of care suits you best.
🦙 I-don’t-want-to-be-a-bother (Alpaca)
🦙 I-don’t-want-to-be-a-bother (Alpaca)
You feel healthy and don’t want to ‘bother’ anyone unnecessarily. If something feels off, you may wait (too) long to call. You apologise if you need extra check-ups. You do your own research but don’t always feel confident challenging professional advice. You prepare for birth based on what’s offered and what others say. You might choose one specific course and read a few books. You prefer being told what the advice is – but if that advice clashes with your research or feelings, it’s hard to speak up.
What this might mean for you:
- You might hesitate too long, causing unnecessary stress.
- You keep questions to yourself, missing chances for the best care.
- You hesitate to call the emergency number – even if we’ve told you it’s okay.
Risk for us as midwives:
- We don’t realise you still have questions.
- We notice your concerns too late because you downplay them.
- You have wishes you’re not comfortable voicing.
How we can support you:
Your concerns are always valid and worth discussing! We want you to feel safe to bring anything up – no guilt or hesitation needed.
If you recognize yourself in this type, tell us! Then we can work together to find what helps you get the best care possible.
🦉 The Health Expert (Owl)
🦉 The Health Expert (Owl)
You dive into everything. You read books, take courses, and know the guidelines almost as well as we do. You know your options and aren’t afraid to be critical. You even enjoy sharing your knowledge with others – and they often see you as the go-to person for information. Your appointments take as long as needed, depending on how many questions you’ve written down at home. Sometimes it's the scheduled 20 minutes, but if you have a lot of questions, it can easily run over.
What this might mean for you:
- Researching everything can take a lot of time and energy.
- You might get stuck on one approach and overlook other options – a kind of tunnel vision.
Risk for us as midwives:
- We assume you know everything already and don’t realise something’s missing.
- You ask so many questions that we run out of time for things we think matter.
- You’re (wrongly!) seen as “difficult”.
How we can support you:
We love thinking things through with you and making sure you’ve got the full picture – even of things you might not have considered yet. We don’t think you’re a bother at all!
If you recognize yourself in this type, let us know! Then we can tailor our care to fit your style.
So, who are you? Do you already know?
Do you recognize yourself in one of the descriptions—or maybe in two? Or perhaps you don’t identify with any of them at all. That’s completely fine! Whatever your style, our goal is to provide care that truly fits you.
If you’d like, you can tell us which type you are—or which one you definitely aren’t. That way, we can think together about what might help you get the best possible care, and avoid falling into the well-known pitfalls on either side.
And what about your partner—what type are they? Or maybe you recognize your mother, a friend, or your sister in one of the types? 😊