To prepare for a positive birth you need to surround yourself with positive messages, information, stories and evidence of normal, natural healthy birth. All too often we have been subjected to messages which undermine our belief in our ability to birth in a positive manner. This needs to change. Here are my top resources for you to use to help you “see” birth in a different light.
Birth is not always how the media has portrayed it to be. It’s not always a traumatic and dramatic event. It can be calm, beautiful and one of life’s most empowering and transformative experiences.

Below you will find suggestions of births to watch,  information to take on board and stories to listen and read.
For the best results you’ll also want to take action – the reading and watching is one thing – it’s the “doing” that’s most important. 

That’s where taking a hypnobirthing course can make a major difference – by enrolling in a course you and your partner will both learn and practise the skills so that they are there for you to benefit from in your labour and birth.

Read positive information about pregnancy and birth

If there were just 4 books I had to recommend to read -these are the ones:
(Of course there’s many more books to read out there, but I don’t want to overwhelm you at this point in time)

Positive Birth in NZ, using relaxation, hypnobirthing and mindfulness
Helen Bartrom

Whatever kind of birth you are planning, enjoy a set of practical tools and techniques for an empowering experience. This book is the comprehensive guide for all Kiwis preparing for a relaxed, empowered and positive birth experience. Discover how your mindset, preparation, environment, support crew, beliefs and expectations can influence your experience. This book provides information, inspiration, tools and techniques along with 26 positive birth stories from other parents who’ve used these skills in their birth. (This book is included in your Positive Births hypnobirthing course as essential course material).
You can purchase this book here

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering
Sarah J Buckley

An authoritative guide to natural childbirth and postpartum parenting options from an MD who home-birthed her own four children.

Sarah Buckley might be called a third-wave natural birth advocate. A doctor and a mother, she approaches the question of how a woman and baby might have the most fulfilling birth experience with respect for the wisdom of both medical science and the human body. Using current medical and epidemiological research plus women’s experiences (including her own), she demonstrates that what she calls “undisturbed birth” is almost always healthier and safer than high-technology approaches to birth. Her wise counsel on issues like breastfeeding and sleeping during postpartum helps extend the gentle birth experience into a gentle parenting relationship.

Windows to the Womb
David Chamberlain

A pioneering birth psychologist combines a lifetime’s worth of research with new findings to provide a fascinating look inside the minds of unborn children.

In the past, the invisible physical processes of fetal development were mysterious and largely unexplainable. But thanks to breakthroughs in embryology, interuterine photography, ultrasound, and other sensitive instruments of measurement, we can now make systematic observations inside the womb–and can see that fetuses are fully sentient, aware beings. In this new climate of appreciation for the surprising dimensions of fetal behavior, sensitivity, and intelligence, Windows to the Womb brings a host of new information to light about the transformative journey each one of us undergoes in the womb.

Birth psychologist Dr. David Chamberlain describes the amazing construction of our physical bodies–the ultimate architecture–and draws parallels with the expansion of our minds as our brains and senses develop and grow. He also details new discoveries in embryonic and fetal research that support his own findings on the impact of the mother’s emotional and physical state during pregnancy; the importance of bonding at the earliest stages; and the steps that expectant parents can take to ensure the most nurturing start in life for their children.

Ina May’s guide to Childbirth
Ina May Gaskin

What you need to know to have the best birth experience for you.

Drawing upon her thirty-plus years of experience, Ina May Gaskin, USA’s leading midwife, shares the benefits and joys of natural childbirth by showing women how to trust in the ancient wisdom of their bodies for a healthy and fulfilling birthing experience. Based on the female-centered Midwifery Model of Care, Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth gives expectant mothers comprehensive information on everything from the all-important mind-body connection to how to give birth without technological intervention.

Filled with inspiring birth stories and practical advice.

You may also enjoy other books from Ina May Gaskin, such as Spiritual Midwifery.

Take positive action 

While it’s great to watch and read – the most important step involves taking action towards preparing yourself for a positive birth.

Enrolling in a Positive Birth Hypnobirthing course will ensure you learn and practise the tools so that they are there for easily and automatically for you in your labour and birth.

There are a range of live and online courses available here

In these courses both you and your partner will learn 

• special breathing techniques
• a range of relaxation methods, including NLP and anchors
• visualisations to use (and why they work) 
• tools for your partner to use to support you
• massage techniques
• questions you can ask to be fully informed and empowered in birth

• and so much more….
  

  There are a range of course options for you – online courses start from $79 and live courses are held over zoom and in person in Auckland.

I also offer one-on-one personal birth support and can also help you heal from previous birth trauma and miscarriage.

Other tools to help 

Lots of parents seek other physical support to use in labour 

Natal Care Naturally – Labour TENS Hire
Natural, drug-free pain relief during labour.
Learn more about TENS and book your TENS online www.tenshire.co.nz