As professor Barbara Katz Rothman once said, “Giving birth should be your greatest achievement, not your greatest fear”
So what makes a positive birth experience and how can we get one??

A positive birth experience is one where the mother feels in control, respected, and supported during labour and delivery. It is an experience where the mother feels empowered and confident in her ability to give birth and where she feels a strong connection with her baby.

What Makes a Birth Experience Positive?

A positive birth experience is one where the expecting Mum feels supported and empowered throughout the birthing process. Here are some key elements that can contribute to a positive birth experience:

1. Feeling in control: A mother who feels in control of her birthing experience is more likely to have a positive birth experience. This can include having a birth plan in place and communicating her preferences to her care team.

2. Feeling supported: Having a supportive birth team, including a midwife, doula, or partner, can make a big difference in a mother’s birthing experience. Having someone who can provide emotional and physical support can help the mother feel more relaxed and confident during labour, delivery and also help her feel in control of her postpartum recovery.

3. Feeling respected: A future Mama who feels respected by her care team is more likely to have a positive birth experience. This includes being informed of her options and having her preferences and concerns taken into consideration.

4. Feeling connected: A mother who feels a strong connection with her baby during labour and delivery is more likely to have a positive birth experience. This can include skin-to-skin contact after delivery and having the baby placed on the mother’s chest immediately after birth.

How to Work Towards a Positive Birth Experience

There are several things that expectant mothers can do to work towards having a positive birth experience. Here are some tips:

1. Educate yourself: Learn as much as you can about the birthing process and your options. Attend childbirth education classes (Calm birth and hypnobirthing classes for instance) and read books on childbirth.

2. Create a birth plan: Create a birth plan that outlines your preferences for labour and delivery. This can include preferences for pain management, who you want in the room, umbilical cord and skin-to-skin instructions,... Remember things don’t always go according to plan!

3. Choose a supportive care team: Choose a care team that is supportive of your preferences and concerns. This can include a midwife, doula, or partner. People who will stand for you and your choices while you are focussing on bringing a little human to the World.

4. Practice relaxation techniques: Practise relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, visualisation, and meditation, to help reduce stress and anxiety during labour and delivery.

5. Communicate with your care team: Communicate your preferences and concerns with your care team. Make sure they are aware of your birth plan and any special requests you may have.

6. Be open to changes: While it’s important to have a birth plan in place, it’s also important to be open to changes if necessary. Sometimes unexpected things happen during labour and delivery, and it’s important to be flexible and open-minded.

7. Prepare your postpartum recovery: the work doesn’t stop after you’ve given birth, you also need to heal your postpartum body. If you had a vaginal birth, you may experience pain or soreness in your perineum, the area between your vagina and anus. This is normal and noonie products, developed in consultation with doctors and midwives, are here to help.. Noonie Cleanse and Soothe Perineal Spray will help to speed up the healing and make yourself feel better. Cleansing with Noonie's special no-touch formula during and after urinating keeps the area clean while maintaining skin's natural pH balance and calms any burning. Use the Cooling Padsicles for as long as you need to help ease any pain. These are specially made ultra-absorbent maternity pads with an integrated instant cooling panel.

Remember to trust your body and your instincts Mama! You’ve got this!