What do you imagine when you think of your birth environment? Bright lights, lying on a bed, surrounded by lots of people telling you what to do? I’ll let you into a little secret - that will not do any good for your hormones which are responsible for starting and progressing your labour.
Whether you are planning a home birth or hospital birth, the environment around you during labour and birth can have a huge impact on both you and your baby. A positive birth environment can make you feel more comfortable, less stressed, and more empowered and connected.
Here are some tips on creating a warm and supportive space for your baby’s arrival.
1 - Choose the Right Birth Place
Choosing where to give birth is a big decision to make. Have a think about these options when deciding where feels right for you:
Home Birth: for those seeking a more personal, non-medical experience, home births can be an excellent option. Home is where you feel most relaxed and familiar, so it is amazing for your birth hormones! Even if you have a little niggle about home birth being an option, have a chat with your local home birth team (such as the Lavender Home Birth Team for Frimley or the Blossom & Bloom Team for Basingstoke) - they often have meetings where you can meet other families who have had home births and you can listen to their birth stories.
Birth Center / Midwife Led Unit: this option provides a ‘home-from-home’ environment for women with uncomplicated pregnancies who are under the care of midwives. There is less chance of being recommended intervention / assisted delivery than giving birth on a labour ward.
Labour Ward: obstetric led unit if labour becomes complicated and you need support, for example need more pain relief. There is an increased risk of having an epidural, episiotomy, or instrumental delivery if you decide to give birth on a labour ward. Have a look at hospitals maternity statistics to see where feels right for you.
There are so many questions to ask when it comes to deciding on where to give birth: what equipment is available to make labour more comfortable, are there birthing pools, how many birth partners can I have with me, what is the policy on induction and monitoring, what pain relief is available, how soon can I go home, is there any breastfeeding support, would a midwife be with me at all times? Where you give birth is your decision; if you have a strong desire for a certain type of birth go and talk to that team and they will support you to make that happen, even if it is outside of your hospital’s policy.
2. Focus on Comfort
A calm and cosy environment can help you feel more comfortable, less stressed and allows for your key birthing hormones to be maximised - oxytocin, endorphins and melatonin.
Here’s how to set the mood:
Lighting: use soft, dim lights to create a soothing atmosphere which boosts your oxytocin. You can use battery-operated candles and fairy lights to add a magical, calm touch.
Personal items: if you’re in hospital bring items from home that make you feel relaxed and happy such as photos and comfort items (pillow, blankets, favourite piece of clothing)
Aromatherapy: use safe essential oils such as lavender to help you relax (always check with a trained professional before using oils in pregnancy / labour).
Music: a powerful anchor to help you relax, focus and even uplift your spirits. Create a playlist of your favourite calming tunes / nature sounds to play during labour.
Hypnosis tracks are so important for mindset and relaxation during pregnancy and labour.
Temperature: keep the room comfortable, use fans / blankets if needed.
3. Supportive Birth Team
The people with you during birth can really affect your whole experience. Choose people who are supportive, calm and respect your wishes. This might include:
Partner / spouse
Close friend / relative
Doula
Make sure everyone in your birth team understands your birth plan and respects your wishes. Your birth team’s support and encouragement can make a big difference in your birth experience; a good birth team can help you feel emotionally strong and give you practical help during labour.
4. Use Relaxation Techniques
Incorporating relaxation techniques can help you stay calm and focused during labour. It’s really important to practice these techniques during pregnancy so you are familiar with them when you go into labour:
Breathing techniques: Deep, rhythmic breathing can help manage pain/sensations and keep you centred and focussed. I teach 3 breathing techniques in my course that help at different stages of labour.
Visualisation: imagine yourself in a a happy place or imagine a smooth, positive birth experience, holding your baby in your arms at the end.
Massage: gentle touch massage from your partner / doula can be very comforting.
Hypnobirthing: guided self-hypnosis helps to reduce fear and pain during labor, getting you into a much more positive mindset, and relaxing the mind and body.
Practicing these techniques regularly before your due period really helps you feel confident using them when the time comes.
Creating a positive birth environment is all about making sure you feel comfortable, relaxed, and supported. It’s so important to make choices that feel right for you and your baby. My antenatal hypnobirthing courses help you think about all these options and develop your birth plan, to get the birth that you want and deserve.
Your birth environment has a huge impact on your birthing hormones, and therefore on the progression of your labour. When you learn all about the hormones of birth in my courses it will all make so much sense why this preparation is crucial for a positive birth experience!
By personalising your space, controlling the lighting, playing calming music, having a supportive team, and using relaxation techniques, you can make sure you have a calm and empowering birthing experience. Remember, this is your birth journey—take charge of your environment to make it as positive and memorable as possible.
I’d love to know, which of the above do you think will have the biggest impact on your birth experience? Let me know in the comments! Fi x
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