Birth preparation

Childbirth is something most expectant mothers dread. Many fears are associated with it, particularly the fear of pain or of something going wrong. However, it is important to emphasise that adequate preparation can considerably ease those apprehensions. 

The early prenatal appointment (EPP)

The early prenatal appointment, now included as a mandatory appointment in antenatal care, takes place from the fourth month of pregnancy and provides a dedicated time for discussion with the healthcare professional of your choice.

Its aim is to create a space for sharing and listening where expectant parents can take stock of their birth plan. It is an opportunity for them to freely express their expectations, questions, and any difficulties they may be facing, whether medical, social, or psychological in nature. 

In 2022, 62% of pregnant women benefited from this early prenatal appointment (1). 

The birth plan (PDN)

During pregnancy, parents are encouraged to put their wishes down in writing, usually in a document of around one page, which outlines their expectations and concerns regarding the birth and the welcoming of their baby. This document may cover aspects such as the preferred birth position, the choice to use orgiving birth without an epidural, the presence of a partner or other support persons during labour, as well as other personal preferences regarding how the birth unfolds.

Bear in mind that the birth plan is not set in stone! It evolves as the pregnancy progresses, in line with the parents' reflections and any additional medical information received. The aim is to encourage thought about the parents' choices and preferences, and to open a dialogue with the medical team. 

According to an INSERM survey, in 2016 only 3.7% of women wrote a birth plan during their pregnancy, as some healthcare professionals were concerned that women who wrote one might not experience the birth they had hoped for (2).

The visit to the birth setting 

During pregnancy, it is important to find out about the different birth settings available, such as hospitals, clinics, or birth centres, in order to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Some institutions offer the opportunity to visit the delivery rooms in person, allowing expectant parents to familiarise themselves with the birth environment. Furthermore, a growing number of facilities offer virtual tours via online videos, providing a detailed overview of the facilities and services available for labour and birth. 

Visiting the birth setting helps you feel more at ease and confident, knowing what to expect on the day of the birth. 

Birth preparation classes provide expectant mothers and their partners with essential information about the labour and birth process, the different pain relief techniques available, and how to manage any potential complications. This helps you gain not only practical knowledge, but also a better understanding of what to expect on the day.

Please note that, in addition to the early prenatal interview (EPP), all expectant mothers have the opportunity to attend 7 preparation sessions, reimbursed by the French national health insurance, provided they are led by a doctor or a midwife. 

Each session of approximately 1 hour covers a topic, generally in the chronological order of pregnancy: 

1. Relaxation breathing to better manage uterine contractions during labour
2. Positions, massage and acupressure points to ease contractions
3. When to go to the maternity unit 
4. The pushing stage
5. The postnatal period
6. Daily life with baby
7. Feeding your baby: breastfeeding

There are several birth preparation methods, but for what is known as a "standard" preparation, it generally takes place in two parts: theoretical and practical. The first part helps you understand the changes your body is going through, the course of pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postnatal period — it is also the time to find answers to your questions. The second part is more hands-on and allows you to prepare physically for birth. Your healthcare professional will teach you how to breathe through contractions to manage them more effectively, how to relieve back and lumbar pain, how to tilt your pelvis forward, and how to become aware of and strengthen your pelvic floor. 

Maternity units generally offer standard antenatal classes, but it is worth knowing that there are birth preparation classes tailored to each birth plan. Many methods today combine physical and mental wellbeing through: hypnobirthing, sophrology, obstetric acupuncture, prenatal hypnosis, or yoga. 

Deep breathing, meditation, and visualisation are powerful tools for managing pain and stress during labour. By practising these techniques in antenatal preparation classes, you can feel better prepared to cope with contractions and the intense emotions that accompany labour. By imagining the positive course of your birth or your first meeting with your baby, you can feel more at ease and relaxed.

Sophrology is a relaxation method used during childbirth that draws on visualisation and breath control. It offers many benefits, including the ability to find calm, keep a clear head, and relax. The practice of sophrology is based on imagination and letting go, visualising soothing scenes and focusing on deep abdominal breathing. By reducing psychological stress and helping with cervical dilation, practising sophrology during pregnancy may influence the duration of labour (3).

Emotional support is also crucial. Having a partner, a family member, or a doula by your side to offer emotional support can be extremely comforting during labour. Simply knowing that you are not alone and that you have someone to rely on can help reduce stress and support a more positive birth experience.

The feeling of parenthood is not always present from the outset for the co-parent — it develops throughout pregnancy (4). It is important for the co-parent to be an emotional support for the mother-to-be throughout the pregnancy. This means listening to her concerns, sharing her joys and fears, reassuring her with gentle gestures, and above all being present for her emotionally.

They can play an active role in the practical preparation for birth by attending antenatal classes. These classes actively encourage the co-parent's involvement, particularly through learning massage techniques and providing support during labour. 

During birth preparation, the co-parent can also be an important voice in discussing the birth plan and the mother-to-be's preferences with the medical team. They can help ask questions, express the couple's wishes and make decisions together, in order to create a birth environment that best meets their needs and desires.

Finally, their role is not limited to birth preparation, but extends to parenthood as a whole (5). Supporting the mother and baby after birth, helping with household tasks and caring for the newborn are all ways for the co-parent to continue being an essential partner. 

On the day of birth, careful logistical planning is essential! This starts with anticipating your stay at the maternity unit to avoid any last-minute stress or rushing. 

Make sure you have a reliable means of transport to get to the maternity unit on the day, and consider having a backup plan in case of the unexpected. Equally, ensure that your partner or chosen support person is available to accompany you and support you throughout the birth process. Their presence can be deeply reassuring and invaluable during this crucial moment.

If you have drawn up a birth plan, it is recommended that you bring a copy on the day. This will allow you to clearly communicate your preferences to the medical team and ensure that your wishes are respected as much as possible during the birth process.

Finally, don't forget to prepare your hospital bag in advance. Gather all the essentials you'll need for your stay at the maternity unit, including medical documents, light snacks and drinks to keep your energy up.

By carefully planning these logistical aspects, you can approach the day of birth with greater peace of mind! 

Packing your hospital bag is a special moment for every expectant mother, allowing her to look forward to meeting her baby and those first precious family moments. It is recommended to pack your hospital bag from the start of the eighth month of pregnancy, so you are ready in case of an early birth and can avoid any added worry when the time comes.

For the baby:

Maternity units provide a comprehensive list that varies from one unit to another, but generally includes bodysuits, pyjamas, wool vests, booties, a hat, a bath towel, a sleeping bag, a thermometer, bibs and muslin squares.

For the mother: 

In addition to the basics recommended by the maternity unit, a few essentials may also be worth bringing: a skin-to-skin band to keep your baby close, a night light for a soft glow in the evening, a nursing pillow for optimal comfort, a lightweight cotton nightgown, nourishing snacks to help you regain your strength, a kit for breastfeeding mothers (nursing bras, breast pads and nipple cream), as well as a few extra items to capture memories and keep you occupied during your stay. 

By packing your hospital bag with care, you will be perfectly prepared to experience one of the most precious moments of your life.

Throughout the journey of motherhood, diet plays a crucial role, not only in meeting the nutritional needs of the mother but also those of the baby to come. Certain foods are also traditionally consumed to prepare the body for labour, to support a natural birth and help when searching how to speed up labour. Please note, there is no best pregnancy food supplement to facilitate labour — no miracle remedy has been proven to work. 

To prepare as well as possible for the birth, it is essential to include certain foods in your diet! By taking care of your nutrition, you will be taking care of your body to prepare yourself as best you can for the birth.

• Nuts and seeds, rich in vitamin E, are beneficial for regulating prostaglandin and preventing pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, preterm pregnancy) (13).
• The bone broth, easy to digest, remineralising, rich in collagen and hyaluronic acid, may support post-partum recovery.
• Green vegetables are valuable health assets and sources of magnesium, iron, calcium, zinc and fat-soluble vitamins such as A, K, E and C. Being a good source of B vitamins as well, green vegetables are important for the production of red blood cells, which renew rapidly during pregnancy (storing and transporting oxygen).
• Vitamin D may help to regulate hormones and prevent pregnancy complications (pre-eclampsia, premature birth, small for gestational age). In the same way, it may also help to regulate pain sensitivity (14). Our pregnancy vitamin D will allow you to stock up on this nutrient in preparation for the birth.

In addition to diet, physical exercise and acupuncture are recommended to prepare for the birth. To find out more, read our article on pregnancy acupuncture.

Because the birth of a child is a unique and personal moment, it is important that you take the time to reflect on it and to express what matters to you. Birth preparation is far more than a mere formality: it is a valuable tool that helps expectant parents approach this event with serenity and confidence.

Bear in mind, however, that labour is often unpredictable, even though there are signs a few days before labour. Stay open to different options and trust your medical team to guide you throughout the process.