Preparing For Birth - The Second Time

My first birth was quite traumatic, and preparing for a second birth after that comes with so many mixed emotions. When deciding to try for another child, I was filled with so many emotions. In my heart, I wanted the boys to have another sibling, I wanted to grow our family, but I didn’t know if I would be able to handle another pregnancy or birth, emotionally. 

The boys’ birth is something that I work through each and every day. The feelings of guilt, thinking early labour was my fault, thinking of all of the “what-ifs” and reflecting back on the labour, I knew that if I were to get pregnant again, I wanted to do it differently.

This time, I want to be more educated, to be confident in advocating for myself, and most importantly, I want to be supported.

So in order to do so, I have created a team of people and programs that I love and trust to help educate me, support me, and help advocate for me.

Here are the things I have chosen to do, and then people I have chosen to support me through this pregnancy and birth.

Hire a Midwife You Connect With & Trust

I decided that I wanted to have a midwife. With the boys, I had combined care since it was twins, so I was lucky enough to have a midwife and an OB. I loved my OB but I knew that I really wanted to have a more holistic birth this time and with that, came more time and education and with an OB I definitely felt a little bit rushed during appointments and so I decided to go the midwife route. I knew that the care they provide and the time they give was important to me. I have a new midwife this time, but I found it super important to make sure that I felt comfortable with the midwife, and I most definitely do! 

The Positive Birth Company Hypnobirthing Course

I had heard from a couple of friends that The Positive Birth Company’s Hypnobirthing Course was something that helped them so much in their birth, so immediately I decided that I would love to take their course.

I have started their course and am loving it so far. Initially I thought, what in the world is hypnobirthing? But it is a really great way to practice mindfulness, reduce anxiety, and help deal with any fear. This course is so great and helpful and has been giving me such great confidence that this birth will be a beautiful experience, and not be traumatic.

You can find the program through the link here.

And can also use the code 187790_cl_posf1

Find a Great Naturopath

Having a Naturopath has helped me so much from the beginning of trying to conceive our first time all the way until now and I know it will continue to help me postpartum again! Our naturopath, Courtney Russel, has provided us with so much insight and education as well as creating a great supplement routine, acupuncture, and emotional support for both myself and my partner. She specializes in fertility and hormones which was very important to me throughout this process.

Throughout pregnancy and postpartum, I had a few different symptoms that Courtney was able to help with through natural remedies, which made me feel so great and thankful for! She helped me with my pregnancy carpel tunnel and we are currently working on trying to move my low lying placenta through acupuncture!

You can check Courtney out here!

The Belle Method Push Prep Course

The Belle Method Push Prep Course was recommended to me by a friend who had an amazing non-medicated birth and spoke so positively about her experience. When she talked to me about her experience, I knew this was something that I wanted to do. The Belle Method Push Prep Course is a course that helps you to prepare for an empowered birth, effective pushing, and a smooth postpartum. This course helps prepare you both mentally and physically for birth, connecting your core and pelvic floor. 

You can learn more about the Belle Method courses through the link here!

Hire a Doula You Connect With And Feel Connected To

I didn’t have a doula with our first pregnancy, mostly because it was during the pandemic and we were not allowed more than one support person at our birth. Since our experience with the twins, I knew that I wanted more support, help with advocacy, and someone who just knew what I needed and could help me. That’s why the decision to hire a doula was so important to me, and ultimately was a no-brainer! I had a couple of friends recommend The Dynamic Doulas, so I set up a call with them and it was an instant connection. I felt so supported, so connected, and so ready to have them support me in my birth.

You can find out more about The Dynamic Doulas and the courses that they provide here!

With this support team and education plan, I feel so much more prepared and so much more excited about this birth. I know that my birth preferences will be respected and advocated for, I know that I will be supported and loved, and I know that my birth will be a positive and beautiful experience, no matter what.