So much of birth prep is about being told information but how to use it and adapt it when faced with the realism of labour can be missing.
The latest UK maternity statistics show that inductions and caesareans are increasing and conversations with women demonstrate that there is a mismatch between expectations and the reality of options.
Knowledge is important - it does make a difference to understand how labour and birth works, what can make a difference and how varied it can be. But it’s also important to know where the challenges can be and how you can manage those - I tell clients that their birth preparation needs to go beyond their ideal birth.
In addition to information, mindset and strategies are also an essential component of birth preparation. This helps with realistic expectations and preparation, it can mean you plan more effectively.
These questions form part of my approach to antenatal education, so I can encourage expectant parents to personalise the information and these will be included here for you to discuss during pregnancy as part of being better prepared for labour and birth.
Do you know what labour and birth involves?
What do you want your birth story to be?
Labour and birth could mean 400 contractions - how do you feel about working with and managing discomfort and pain?
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