Preparing for Childbirth: A Journey of Heart, Body, and Soul

About Anisha Siddhu (Author)

This article is contributed by SuperBottoms’ Prenatal Expert Anisha Siddhu. The birth of her sons left her utterly fascinated with the intricate beauty of childbirth, and it was then that she discovered her true calling and passion for working as a Birth Doula and Childbirth Educator. She is passionate about being the calming, comforting, and reassuring support for women on their journey through childbirth. With a gentle touch and evidence-based knowledge, she is dedicated to empowering birthing mothers to make informed choices and have positive, fulfilling births. Follow me @reborndoula.anisha to keep in touch and for more information.

Pregnancy invites us into a season of transformation—physically, emotionally, and mentally. As your baby grows, so does your awareness that something big is approaching. Birth: the moment you meet your baby and the moment you step into a new version of yourself. It’s natural to wonder: Am I truly ready? What should I be doing to prepare? As a doula, I gently remind every parent-to-be that preparing for childbirth is not merely about to-do lists and packed bags; it is about softening into trust, deepening connection with your body and baby, and embracing this threshold with open hands and an open heart. Let’s walk through this together with intention, beauty, and grace.

1. Learn the dance of birth - Birth is not a clinical event. Instead, it’s a dance of hormones, intuition, and ancient wisdom. Understanding this dance helps replace fear with confidence. One of the most powerful ways to prepare is by attending an evidence-based childbirth education class. These classes don’t just tell you what might happen, but help you understand why it happens, what your options are, and how to work with your body rather than against it. 

You’ll learn:

• The stages of labor and how your body opens like a blooming flower
• Breathing, movement, and comfort techniques that support you in labor
• How your baby spirals and rotates to meet you
• Your choices, medical and natural, at every step of the way 

This kind of learning doesn’t overwhelm, it grounds. It helps you walk into birth not just informed, but ready. 

2. Build strength and flow for birth - Birth is a physical journey, and caring for your body during pregnancy can help you feel stronger, more comfortable, and more in tune with what it needs. You don’t need a strict fitness routine; just regular, mindful movement that feels good. 

This could be:

• Prenatal yoga to build strength, flexibility, and breath awareness
• Daily walks to support circulation and reduce stiffness
• Gentle stretches or pelvic tilts to ease discomfort and prepare your body for labor
• Prenatal workouts (if safe and approved by your care provider) 

Even resting with intention, such as lying on your side and using pillows to support your hips and belly, or practising deep breathing, can help your body prepare. The goal isn’t to train for labor like an athlete. It’s to feel more connected, more open, and more ready to move with your body and not against it when labor begins.

3. Connect with your baby - While you're busy preparing for labor and birth, one of the most meaningful things you can do is simply take time to connect with your baby. Your baby is already aware, feeling your rhythms, sensing your emotions, listening to the world through the soft filter of your womb. This connection isn’t just sweet, it’s powerful. It creates safety, bonding, and trust, long before the first cry. 

Set aside a few moments each day to slow down and tune in. Place your hands on your belly. Breathe deeply. Speak to your baby. Tell them what you’re feeling, how much you’re looking forward to meeting them. You might hum, sway, or even sing. These moments create a bridge between your world and theirs. 

Connection is preparation, too. Because birth isn’t just the baby arriving; it’s a meeting between two souls who already know each other deeply.

4. Invite your partner into the circle - Often, partners stand at the edge of the experience, unsure of their place. But birth is not just your becoming, it is theirs too. Encourage them to learn alongside you. Invite them to hold space, to be your calm anchor when waves rise. When a partner understands the landscape of labor, they move from uncertainty to quiet power. They become your steady moon in the tides of birth.

5. Create a birth plan that breathes - A birth plan is a simple yet powerful tool. It’s a written outline of your preferences for labor, birth, and early postpartum care. Think of it as a way to communicate your wishes to your care team, while also helping you understand your options more clearly. Your birth plan can include: 

• Pain relief preferences or comfort techniques you'd like to try
• Who you'd like in the room with you
• Preferences for interventions, monitoring, or mobility during labor
• How you'd like your baby to be welcomed—skin-to-skin, delayed cord clamping, early breastfeeding
• Your partner’s role and how they can support you

It’s not about controlling every detail (because birth is beautifully unpredictable), but about making informed choices and creating space for the kind of experience you hope for. And a flexible mindset helps you stay grounded, even when things unfold differently than expected.

6. Build your support team - Who you have by your side during labor and birth matters deeply. The people around you can shape how safe, seen, and supported you feel, physically and emotionally. Take time to consider: Who helps me feel calm? Who listens without judgment? Who will protect the kind of birth space I hope for? 

Your support team might include: 

• Your partner or spouse 
• A close friend or family member 
• A doula—someone trained to provide continuous emotional reassurance, physical comfort, and informational guidance throughout labor and birth 

Doulas don’t replace your medical team or your partner. Instead, they walk alongside them, supporting you. They hold space, remind you of your options, offer comfort measures, and help your partner support you with confidence, too. Birth isn’t meant to be walked alone. Surround yourself with those who uplift you, honour your choices, and help you feel grounded even when the waves rise.

7. Pack your hospital bag like a ritual - Yes, the hospital bag is important, but packing it can be more than a task; it can be a ceremony of intention. Each item you place inside is a thread of comfort, so imagine how you want to feel during and after birth and choose things that support that feeling.

A Mindful Hospital Bag might include:

Essentials & paperwork

• ID, insurance papers
• Hospital file and any other medical documents
• Copies of your birth plan 

Comfort items for labour & birth

• Your favourite pillow or a cozy blanket from home
• Dim, soft lights (battery-operated candles or fairy lights)
• Playlist or portable speaker for calming or motivating music
• Hair ties or headband
• Lip balm and face mist
• Soft robe or gown (if you prefer your own clothes over a hospital gown)
• Warm socks and slippers
• Snacks, water, juices, coconut water and anything that makes you feel nourished

Supportive tools for labour

• Massage oil or balm
• Essential oils (if you use aromatherapy)
• Heat pack, cold pack
• Birth ball (if allowed by your hospital)
• Rebozo or scarf (for support techniques)
• A stress ball, birth comb or focus object
• Handheld fan or cooling cloth
• Birth affirmations, photos that grounds you 

Postpartum comfort

• Nursing bras and a feeding pillow
• Comfortable, loose nursing-friendly clothing for your stay
• Maternity pads and a few pairs of comfy underwear/period panties
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, moisturiser, shampoo, comb, etc.
• Phone charger 

For baby

• Snuggly onesies, tiny socks, soft cap
• Swaddle and baby blanket
• A going-home outfit
• Cloth Diapers and wipes (your hospital may provide these) 

For your partner

• Change of clothes and toiletries
• Nourishing snack stash and a water bottle
• Phone, charger
• Massage tools or oils to support you in labour

8. Above all, trust the journey - You are not just preparing for birth. You are preparing to meet your baby, yes, but also to meet yourself anew. 

You don’t need to be fearless. You just need to be willing. Willing to breathe through the unknown, to lean into support, and to trust that your body and your baby are working together. Let your breath be your guide. Let your body lead the way. Let your heart be held by those who walk beside you—your birth partner, your doula, your care team. You are not alone. 

Birth is not just an event; it’s a passage. And you, dear one, are more than capable of walking it with strength, softness, and grace.

Message from SuperBottoms

Hi there, new parents! SuperBottoms brings you doctor-recommended cloth diapers — the best rash-free diapering solution for your baby’s sensitive and delicate skin. Unlike disposable diapers loaded with chemicals, our reusable cloth diapers for newborns, when used and washed properly, can help eliminate the risk of diaper rashes. SuperBottoms offers a wide range of safe, skin-friendly essentials for the whole family — including Cloth Diapers, Diaper Pants, DryFeel langots for diaper-free time, Padded Underwear for potty training, SuperSoft Underwear for everyday comfort, Joggers for playful days, and Period Underwear for women. Now available on Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart, FirstCry, Zepto, Swiggy and Blinkit.