Feeling Overwhelmed with Birth Prep? You’re Not Alone!
Preparing for birth can feel like an avalanche of information—books, videos, classes, social media, and unsolicited advice seem to come from all directions. Many pregnant people feel torn between wanting to know everything and feeling paralyzed by the sheer amount of information available.
In this week’s podcast episode, I shared actionable steps to help you prepare for birth without drowning in a sea of information. The goal is to make you feel calm, confident, and ready for labor—without the stress. Listen to the podcast now:
Feeling Overwhelmed with Birth Prep? You’re Not Alone.
Preparing for birth can feel like an avalanche of information—books, videos, classes, social media, and unsolicited advice seem to come from all directions. Many pregnant people feel torn between wanting to know everything and feeling paralyzed by the sheer amount of information available.
In this week’s podcast episode, I shared actionable steps to help you prepare for birth without drowning in a sea of information. The goal is to make you feel calm, confident, and ready for labor—without the stress.
The Myth of "More Information Equals Better Preparedness"
It's easy to think that the more you know, the better prepared you'll be. But as I mentioned in the episode, too much information—or inaccurate advice—can leave you feeling more anxious and confused than empowered.
Birth preparation isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about focusing on the right things, the essentials that will actually help you feel calm and grounded as your due date approaches.
6 Steps for Intentional Birth Preparation
Here’s a summary of the six key steps we talked about to help you prepare for labor intentionally and avoid that overwhelming feeling.
1. Understand the Basics of Labor Progression
Knowing the key stages of labor—early labor, active labor, transition, and pushing—gives you a solid foundation. For instance, recognizing that shaking during transition is normal can reduce anxiety when you’re in the thick of it. Birth isn’t always predictable, but understanding how labor typically progresses can help reduce the fear of the unknown.
2. Learn Pain Management Techniques—Without Overcomplicating It
You don’t need to master every pain management method, but it’s important to have a toolbox of techniques. Whether you’re planning on an epidural or aiming for an unmedicated birth, learning hands-on techniques like breathing exercises, labor positions, or counterpressure can make a huge difference.
Remember, labor rarely goes exactly as planned—so it’s about having options, not rigid rules.
3. Build a Supportive Birth Team
Your birth team is essential. Whether it’s your partner, doula, midwife, or OB-GYN, these are the people who will support your vision and advocate for you during labor. The more you trust your birth team, the less you’ll need to worry about managing every single detail, allowing you to focus on the most important thing—birthing your baby.
4. Create a Flexible Birth Plan
A birth plan isn’t about rigid expectations; it’s about being prepared for different scenarios. I always recommend creating three birth plans:
Your ideal vaginal birth.
A plan for induction (since 40% of births involve one).
A cesarean plan—because while it may not be your first choice, it’s empowering to be prepared if it becomes necessary.
Embrace flexibility. Having a roadmap for these scenarios means you won’t be left scrambling to make decisions during labor.
5. Know Your Rights and Advocate for Yourself
In labor, advocating for yourself is crucial. It’s important to understand hospital policies, your rights, and how to make empowered decisions. This can reduce stress and make the experience smoother. Involve your partner in this process so they can help advocate for you when you’re deep in “labor land.”
6. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care
Lastly, I encourage you to slow down. Cultivating mindfulness and self-care practices before birth can help you manage stress and stay present. It’s easy to feel like you need to learn everything, but it’s more about pacing yourself and focusing on what’s truly helpful.
You Don’t Need to Know Everything—Just What Matters
Instead of trying to be an expert on all things birth, focus on getting quality, accurate information that aligns with your needs and birth preferences.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or lost in all the information, a comprehensive childbirth education class can be a game-changer. It organizes everything in a step-by-step way, giving you confidence without overloading your mind. If you need a roadmap that takes out the guesswork, my program, A Path to a Powerful Birth, is designed to do just that—self-paced and full of resources, it’s the perfect guide for expectant parents looking for clarity and calm in their preparation.
Want to Dive Deeper?
For a more detailed breakdown on how to avoid overwhelm and have an empowering birth, check out my free workshop: Essentials for an Empowering Birth (and How to Avoid a Traumatic One). This workshop includes a workbook that walks you through actionable steps to take as you prepare for your unique birth experience.
And if you’re ready for a deeper dive, my childbirth education program, A Path to a Powerful Birth, gives you the tools, knowledge, and support to prepare for birth in a way that feels empowering—without the information overload.
You’ve got this! The fact that you’re here, reading and preparing, shows you’re already on the right path. Birth preparation is about trusting yourself, surrounding yourself with the right support, and taking intentional steps. You don’t have to do it all—just what matters.
Thank You for Listening
If this episode lights you up, I’d love it if you’d rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. After you review the show, snap a pic and upload it here… and I’ll send you a little surprise as a thank you.
Your feedback helps this podcast grow, and I am so grateful for your support!
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