The importance of preparing well for childbirth

The subtle but essential factors for welcoming your child into the world in the best conditions

When I was pregnant with my first child, I thought that childbirth was a matter for the medical profession. I knew nothing about it, absolutely nothing. However, circumstances meant that my first baby was ultimately born without medical assistance, which was not planned. After that, it was a deliberate choice to welcome all our future babies into the intimacy of our marriage, with a view to offering them a birth with all the respect and love they deserve. However, as I explain in particular in the video: The path toward natural childbirth experienced as a couple, even though I had become autonomous in giving birth, I was well aware that childbirth remains an extremely delicate and potentially risky moment for the life of my newborn and for my own. This awareness was all the stronger because I did not give myself any alternatives, such as rushing to a hospital or calling the fire department or an ambulance. I have given birth on four different continents and in a wide variety of contexts. I have even given birth in remote locations, more than ten kilometers from the nearest village, with no vehicle or telephone. In these circumstances, I knew that the birth depended on me and me alone, with Christophe’s support by my side. This made me realize how essential it was to prepare well for my deliveries.

Some people compare childbirth to a marathon, and I think this comparison is accurate to a certain extent. From my point of view, childbirth can indeed be compared to a sporting event, an exam, or even a concert. We all know that to pass your high school exams, you have to work hard and revise your lessons thoroughly. Furthermore, it is best to arrive rested, calm, relaxed, and confident on the day of the exam. Pastor Reinhold Niebuhr wrote this serenity prayer, which seems particularly appropriate in the context of an upcoming birth: “Oh God, grant me the serenity to accept what is, the courage to change what I can change, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other.” During pregnancy, it is important to focus on what we can control and let go of the rest.

In the documentary Experiencing birth naturally and peacefully, the first part is titled: “Preparing for Opening”. We show in detail what, according to my experience, is important for preparing for childbirth. In the video featuring clips from the documentary, we say that:

The birth of a new child has to be prepared throughout the months of pregnancy, as it is essential that the woman be in good physical and mental condition on the day when the first signs of childbirth will be felt.

In the book Autonomous Natural Childbirth as a Couple, we devote an entire section to this subject that we have called: “The Seeds of an Autonomous Natural Childbirth Experienced as a Couple.” See the book excerpt where we explain in detail that the preparation for childbirth is holistic:

• at the spiritual level, it involves awakening your CONSCIOUSNESS to take ownership of your child’s birth

• at the emotional level, it is desirable to strengthen your CONFIDENCE in yourself and in life

• at the physical level, it is essential to develop the COURAGE to prepare effectively for childbirth.

Thus, childbirth is like many other things in life: the better we prepare for it, the more “chances” we have that it will go well…

Imagine that you have planned to take a long trip of several hundred kilometers in two weeks to take your family on vacation in your car. You know very well that if you prepare the vehicle well (service, engine oil change, brake and tire condition, etc.), if you prepare your route well and if you prepare yourself well (no alcohol, sufficient rest, appropriate food), then you have more “chances” that your trip will go well. It is hardly desirable to arrive tired, stressed and anxious having prepared nothing at all. In any case, there will always be unknowns that don’t depend on you, such as the weather, road conditions, traffic or the unpredictable behavior of other drivers. But, faced with these unknowns, you probably won’t react the same way depending on whether you have prepared your trip well or not.

The same is true for childbirth. You cannot control everything. You cannot know everything in advance. You cannot control how the baby will be born, how it will happen, or any complications that may arise. On the other hand, what is certain is that the better prepared you are on all levels—physical and energetic, emotional and spiritual—the more you will increase your chances of having the best possible birth experience and being able to react positively in all circumstances. Be confident that on the big day, you and your baby will reap the rewards of your efforts, which will enable you to welcome your baby into the world in the best possible conditions.

This article was written by Claire Loiseleur, mother of eleven children all born within the heart of marital intimacy, through our conscious choice to offer our babies a birth with all the Love and Respect they deserve, and co-author of the book and documentary:

Filled with music and colours, and enriched with numerous captions and voice-over explanations, the documentary EXPERIENCING BIRTH NATURALLY AND PEACEFULLY beautifully complements the teachings shared in the book NATURAL BIRTH WITHIN THE INTIMACY OF THE COUPLE.

This film is available as a streaming video, with instant viewing through a private personal link offering unlimited access.

Read more articles on the topic of respectful childbirth.

A list of these 22 articles, along with a brief summary of each, is available on the following page:

The book GIVING BIRTH NATURALLY AND FREELY AS A COUPLE is part of the Lights for a New World books presented on the Youtube channel and Facebook page entitled : Lights for a New World

The expression « Lights for a New World » is explained on the following page :