These are the practices that I and many other women have used to prepare the body for labour, birth and the postpartum period. I personally had very blissful births that I am so grateful for, truly precious memories! Breastfeeding on the other hand- many tears!

There is always going to be an element of uncertainty when it comes to childbirth, the process somewhat out of your control. Shoot for the stars with your birth plan, prepare your mind and body for a blissful birth experience, and if it ends up that things don’t go to plan, find the silver lining and focus on it.

Now for my 6 favourites... 🙌🏽

⚡️HOMEOPATHY– to prepare and tone the uterus, to promote rapid healing of bruises, shock or tears, to ward of feelings of anxiety about impending labour and more. I cannot give my professional recommendations publicly, but some key remedies you may want to research are Arnica, Caulophyllum & Aconite. Homeopathic remedies must be taken at specific stages during the third trimester and beyond, as some are not recommended to be taken too early. I provide clients with a 10 remedy kit with instructions and indications of when the remedies are most effectively used.

⚡️HYPNOBIRTHING – Mental preparation is equally as important as physical preparation and hypnobirthing is remarkable at working on that mindset. It also incorporates, breathwork, massage techniques, keeping the environment peaceful and letting go of fears surrounding childbirth. By showing partners how to best support the birthing mother, the birth experience is intimate and memorable. Hypnobirthing has gained massive momentum around the world in recent times and for good reason, ask any couple who took part in the course!

⚡️ACUPUNCTURE – Acupuncture has long been used to realign the energy in the body and aid natural induction. Like homeopathy, acupuncture works on an energetic level to stimulate the body’s own mechanisms. Many practitioners will only provide treatment on or after the due date in order to prevent going into early labour.

⚡️RASPBERRY LEAF TEA- Taken in the third trimester to tone the uterus, prepare for labour and assist in postpartum healing. Raspberry leaf can be taken as an extract or as a herbal tea.

⚡️TENS MACHINE – This machine sends safe electrical impulses through the skin to muscles via pads placed on the back. Reasons why the TENS is believed to be great for labour: the electrical pulses prevent pain signals from reaching your brain, the pulses stimulate your body to release natural, feel-good substances called endorphins, it helps you to feel in control of your labour and be less anxious, it offers a distraction from your contractions

You will need to take the TENS machine off if you are having a water birth or a hot shower, but I keep it on right up until that point and it is incredible. You can often hire a TENS machine from the hospital or rent one privately.

⚡️WATER BIRTHS– Being submerged in the heat of the water seems to reduce the sensation of contractions, while floating weightlessly in the water takes all tension off other muscles in the body. Bliss!

Did you use any of the above practices when preparing for childbirth and the postpartum period?

If you have more tips for mummas preparing for birth and the postpartum period please feel free to comment below!✨

Natural Labor and Delivery