How to Prepare for Birth: Why It’s A Mental Game

Written by Lauren Samson, PhD

Lauren Samson is co-founder of Mental Push Plan, bringing mental tools to pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Imagine this - you’re pregnant, nearing the end of your pregnancy. You may not need to imagine, because you’re reading this while pregnant (if this is you, we are so thrilled for you and love that you’re here!).

At the end pregnancy you have a million things running through your mind any given day, like:

• The do’s and don’ts of eating and drinking (get those Omegas for baby’s brain development!)
• Preparing your house, baby’s room and gathering all the supplies
• Soaking up the last weeks with your partner and/or older children
• Handing things off at work
• Preparing freezer meals so you don’t starve after the baby arrives
• Deciding your birth preferences
• Taking a childbirth education class
• Reading up on pregnancy, birth, postpartum and infant care
• Trying to stay active in some way, shape or form

(Woof. Isn’t it amazing that people continue to have babies with all the work that comes along with them?! I mean, they are incredibly cute, snuggly, heart-melting and awe-inspiring, so there’s that.)

Then, someone (that’s us) has the gall to tell you that you should be preparing yourself MENTALLY for labor and birth.

Why should you dedicate time to planning and preparing yourself mentally for birth?

We know there is a tight connection between the mind and the body. Tension in one will bring tension to the other. Similarly, relaxed openness in one will bring relaxed openness in the other. So, when we only prepare ourselves physically, we are missing half of the equation!

Going into any important experience, like a big presentation for work, a tough conversation with your partner or competing in some kind of sport or activity, we prepare physically (if necessary), we educate ourselves, we practice, we ask for advice and, consciously or unconsciously, we do some mental prep.

What do we mean by ‘mental prep’?

It’s things like:

• Planning for what kind of tone/mood/demeanor you want to have
• Giving yourself a pep talk
• Going over potential problems/challenges and planning how you will respond
• Using techniques to calm yourself, reduce stress or raise your energy level (depending on the situation)

These considerations are critical to the whole process of preparation. It’s the mental prep that allows your skills, knowledge, words, strategy, etc. to shine because you can stay motivated, calm and focused under pressure.

For birth, dedicating time to mentally prepare goes a long way in how you experience this hugely important moment (well, more like moments… birth can take some time).

For us, mentally preparing for birth includes things like:

• Becoming mindfully aware of your current headspace
• Identifying your ideal mindset for birth (one that is going to activate that mindbody connection and put you into ‘flow’)
• Building a mental toolbox (tools that will drive you towards this ideal mindset)
• Planning for change, maintaining a flexible mindset
• Communicating with your birth team about roles and expectations

Working through all of these mental aspects culminate into a personalized mental game plan, so you are equipped for however your birth may unfold.

So, mentally preparing for birth really is a big deal!

The mind-body connection is so inextricable. If it was an Oreo, the body would be the cookie and the mind would be the filling. Technically they are separate elements, but they really are the best when eaten together (along with a little milk).

If you give yourself the time and space to consider your mindset for birth and how to hone your thoughts throughout labor and birth, you can take control of the mental side of the mind-body connection. When you’re feeling safe, secure, open, positive, productive and powerful mentally, how do you think that will play out in your body? You guessed it! Safe, secure, open, positive, productive and powerful.

That sounds like a pretty incredible way to bring life into the world. And believe us - YOU CAN!

More on Mental Push Plan

Combining mindfulness and mental strength training to empower you through pregnancy, birth and beyond. Brought to you by Carolyn, prenatal yoga instructor and doula, and Lauren, mental training coach.


Mental Push Plan Resources: Use code NATALIEH10 for 10% off all products.

Mental Push Plan - Tap into your inner strength using mental tools to feel confident and prepared for birth.

Birth Affirmation Deck - Emphasize your innate ability to give birth with 20 beautiful affirmation cards that are tested, tried and true.

Mental Grief Plan - Mindfully process grief related to pregnancy & infant loss.

Connect with Carolyn & Lauren

Website: https://www.mentalpushplan.com/

Email: hello@mentalpushplan.com

Instagram: @mentalpushplan

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