10 Tips for Achieving the Birth You Truly Want

Whether you’re dreaming of a natural home birth, a hospital birth with minimal intervention, or simply a birth where you feel seen, heard, and supported — these 10 tips will help you feel prepared, informed, and empowered every step of the way.

1. Get Clear on What You Want

Start by tuning in to what your ideal birth looks and feels like.
Do you envision a calm water birth at home? A hospital birth with your birth partner by your side? Or simply a birth where you feel respected and in control?

✨ Clarity is the first step toward making it real.

2. Choose the Right Care Provider

Your care team matters — a lot. Choose a midwife or obstetrician who truly listens to you, respects your values, and aligns with your vision for birth.

Some care options to explore include:

• Continuity of Care with a Private Midwife

• Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) — hospital-based continuity of care

• Shared Care or Private Obstetric Care

Want to explore your options in more depth?
Listen to our podcast episode with Midwife Nicole:
Let’s Chat About What Your Birthing Options Are

3. Take a Comprehensive Birth Class

Knowledge is power. A quality birth education class should do more than teach hospital protocols — it should help you understand your options, prepare your partner, and equip you with techniques for labour and birth.

My Hypnobirthing & Childbirth Classes cover all of this — plus preparation for the postpartum period.
Explore upcoming classes

4. Create a Birth Plan (But Stay Flexible)

Think of your birth plan as a conversation starter, not a script. It’s a tool to clearly express your preferences and help your care team understand how best to support you.

✅ Be specific about what you’d like — and what you’d prefer to avoid.
Stay open to the unknowns of birth — flexibility is key.

5. Hire a Birth Doula

A doula provides continuous emotional, informational, and physical support during labour — and research shows they can reduce the need for interventions and improve birth satisfaction. Worth considering!

6. Surround Yourself with Supportive People

Choose birth partners and support people who uplift you, believe in you, and will advocate for your choices in moments when you may need backup.

This includes partners, family, friends — or even a second support person.

7. Learn About Your Birth Rights

Understanding your legal and medical rights during pregnancy and labour can make all the difference.
This knowledge helps you advocate for yourself with confidence, especially in hospital settings.

8. Practice Relaxation Techniques

Prepare for birth with tools that help you stay calm and centred. These may include:

• Breathing exercises

• Guided meditations

• Affirmations or visualisations

• Hypnobirthing tracks

️ These practices build resilience, no matter how your birth unfolds.

9. Prepare Your Body

Support your physical readiness for birth with gentle movement and nourishment:

• Prenatal yoga

• Spinning Babies exercises

• Regular walking

• Nutrient-rich foods

Moving with intention can help optimise baby’s position and support a smoother labour.

10. Trust That You Deserve to Feel Empowered

At the heart of it all: you deserve a birth where you feel empowered, supported, and respected.

Whatever path your birth takes, you are allowed to feel strong, capable, and heard.
And you don’t have to do it alone — there is support available every step of the way.

With warmth and belief in you,
Kate Martyn