How to Prepare for Childbirth – Complete Guide for Expecting Parents

About Dr. Sneha Shah (Author)

Dr. Sneha Shah, a highly experienced physiotherapist with over 16 years in holistic women’s healthcare, is among Bangalore’s first certified doulas and childbirth educators. Renowned for her skilled and compassionate approach, she has an over 80% success rate in turning breech babies and has attended more than 250 births, empowering 2000+ families. She is the visionary behind FemFirst, a Bangalore-based women’s health and wellness centre offering tailored care from puberty to menopause. With services spanning prenatal and postpartum physiotherapy, lactation support, PCOS management, and natural birthing guidance—alongside e-resources, webinars, and a nationwide reach—FemFirst is committed to empowering women across India. Follow me @femfirst_womenhealth to keep in touch and for more information.

This comprehensive roadmap for parents-to-be offers guidance for those who want an empowering, positive birthing experience. The article explains that childbirth preparation isn’t just about physical readiness but also emotional, informational, and environmental factors. From building stamina through prenatal fitness to reclaiming the “lost wisdom of birth,” it highlights the importance of creating the right birth team, making informed decisions, and preparing mentally for labour. With India’s C-section rates on the rise, the guide urges expectant parents to advocate for their birth preferences, take evidence-based childbirth classes, and ensure partner involvement. Practical tips on birth planning, emotional support, and logistical preparations make this a go-to resource for anyone aiming for a confident, informed, and supported delivery experience.

• Introduction
• The Lost Wisdom of Birth
• Five Powerful Ways to Prepare for Childbirth 
• Key Takeaways
• Quick Read At A Glance
• Message from SuperBottoms
  

Childbirth is not just a physical process — it’s also an emotional and sacred experience. A woman may forget many things in life, but she will never forget how she was treated during her labour. A beautiful experience can empower her for life, while a traumatic one may leave deep emotional scars, making the postpartum period daunting. 

That’s why preparing for childbirth isn’t just a good idea — it’s essential. 

The process of preparing for normal delivery starts long before labour begins. It’s not about hoping everything will go well — it’s about laying a strong foundation with physical, emotional, and informational readiness. Your preparation can shape the kind of birth experience you have — and it can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control. 

The Lost Wisdom of Birth 

The wisdom of birth... once whispered from grandmothers to daughters, shared in quiet kitchens, and passed down through generations — is now lost in the noise of hospital lights and medical charts. 

But it still lives — in our bodies, in our instincts, in the stories waiting to be told. 

Let’s reclaim that. 

In India, the C-section rate is soaring, as high as 85% in some places, while the World Health Organisation recommends it stay under 20%. Why is this happening?

• Convenience over Care: Labour is unpredictable, while a scheduled surgery is easier to manage.
• Lack of Labour Support: Most women labour alone, without doulas or movement-friendly birth spaces. Support reduces fear and increases the chances of a normal birth.
• Limited Knowledge: Many couples are unaware of their choices and enter labour unprepared. 

But you deserve a chance at a normal delivery — with proper preparation before delivery, the right birth team, and an environment of trust and respect. So, how can you prepare? 

Five Powerful Ways to Prepare for Childbirth 

1. Physical Preparation 

Preparing for childbirth is like training for a marathon. You wouldn’t run one without preparing your body — labour is no different. It requires stamina, strength, and flexibility. Regular prenatal fitness helps: 

• Build endurance and strength for labour
• Optimise your baby’s position
• Reduce common discomforts like back pain and swelling 

Aim to move for 45 minutes a day, five days a week. Join a comprehensive prenatal fitness program — not just yoga, but tailored workouts based on your needs and trimester. Tip: Swap your office chair for a birth ball! It improves posture, reduces pelvic pressure, eases tension in your back and hips, and prepares your body for delivery. 

2. Informational Preparation 

When you know better, you birth better. Informational preparation helps reduce fear, equips your partner, and increases the chances of a positive birth. Attend evidence-based out-of-hospital childbirth education classes with your partner. Learn about:

• Pain coping tools
• Labour and birthing positions
• Perineal massage
• Natural pain relief options
• Breastfeeding basics
• Newborn care essentials 

These sessions empower you to make informed choices, advocate for yourself, and walk into birth with confidence. 

3. Emotional Readiness 

Labour isn’t just something your body does — it’s something your heart and mind go through, too. 

Unprocessed fears or anxiety can slow labour down or create tension. Emotional preparation: 

• Helps you feel in control
• Allows space for healing if you’ve had past trauma
• Encourages bonding and communication with your partner 

Talk about your fears. Journal. Speak to a doula or counsellor if needed. Emotional preparation is one of the most underestimated but powerful aspects of how to prepare for childbirth. 

4. Create Your Birth Team 

Birth is a big event. You need a team that supports your choices and holds space for your experience. Who should be on your birth team?

• A doctor or midwife who aligns with your birth philosophy
• A doula
• Your partner or spouse 

Choose your doctor wisely. Their approach can shape your entire experience. Do they encourage natural births? Are they quick to suggest inductions or C-sections? Ask questions. Know their statistics. 

Hire a doula — she is your birth companion, helping with emotional support, comfort measures, and advocacy. She’s not there for the hospital. She’s there for YOU!! She’s your emotional anchor, birth guide, and non-medical support system — before, during, and after birth. Through every contraction, breath, and emotion 

Prepare your partner — they’re not just there to hold your hand. With the right preparation, they can be your rock: timing contractions, applying counterpressure, speaking up for your needs, and grounding you through every stage of labour.

5. Make a Birth Plan (Preferences) 

A birth plan isn’t about rigidly controlling the experience — it’s about understanding your options and expressing your preferences clearly. From labour positions to pain relief, cord clamping, and skin-to-skin, it helps everyone in your care team know what matters to you. Make your plan with your partner and your doula. Review it with your doctor ahead of time. And most importantly, advocate for your birth. In India, too many births happen to women, not with them. That needs to change — one empowered birth at a time. 

You’ve Got This, Mamma 

As you step into the journey of childbirth, remember this — you were made for it. You are powerful, capable, and wise. 

Your birth. Your body. Your story. 

Prepare. Plan. And believe in yourself. 

Key Takeaways

1. Preparation Shapes Birth Experiences – Physical, emotional, and informational readiness before labour can turn childbirth into an empowering, positive experience rather than an overwhelming one.
2. Support Systems Matter – Having the right birth team, including a supportive doctor, a doula, and a prepared partner, significantly increases the chances of a safe, respectful, and natural birth.
3. Knowledge is Power – Understanding your options through evidence-based childbirth education helps you make informed decisions, advocate for yourself, and reclaim the lost wisdom of birth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. When should I start preparing for childbirth? 

Ideally, from the second trimester, start with physical activity. You can join prenatal fitness classes by 14 weeks after your doctor has given a green signal. The ideal time to enrol for out-of-hospital couple labour classes is at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Don’t wait till the ninth month! 

Q2. My hospital offers labour classes; can I take only those? 

While hospital-based classes may offer some useful information, we strongly recommend attending out-of-hospital childbirth classes as well. These are typically more evidence-based, partner-inclusive, and non-biased. They focus on empowering you to understand your options, advocate for yourself, and navigate hospital protocols confidently. Hospital classes often revolve around what the hospital offers rather than what you need. A well-rounded out-of-hospital class can make a significant difference in helping you achieve a positive and empowering birth experience. 

Q3. Should my partner also prepare for childbirth? 

Absolutely! Childbirth is not just your journey — it’s a shared experience. When your partner prepares alongside you, they can offer meaningful support, stay calm and confident during labour, and be fully present in the moment. Research shows that when partners are actively involved in the birthing process, it strengthens the emotional bond between you and creates greater respect and connection in the relationship. Preparing together builds trust, teamwork, and lasting memories. 

Q4. What are the essential things to prepare for baby delivery? 

Along with physical and mental preparation, pack your hospital bag, install the baby car seat, finalise your birth team, hire a doula and arrange for postpartum help. 

Q5. How do I choose the right doctor for my pregnancy? 

Choosing the right doctor is crucial for a positive birth experience. Look for someone who aligns with your birth preferences, supports your desire for a natural birth and is transparent in their communication. Ask about their approach to labour, C-section rates, and how they involve you in the decision-making process. Trust your instincts, and don’t hesitate to switch if you feel your needs aren’t being met. 

Q6. When to Prepare a Hospital Bag for Delivery? 

Around week 34–36 is the ideal time. Include essentials for you, your baby, your partner, documents, comfort items, and anything that supports your birth preferences. 

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