Is Your Body Ready for Birth?

When people talk about getting their body "ready for birth," it can feel a little overwhelming, right? Like, are we supposed to be marinating, basting, and trussing ourselves up like a Thanksgiving turkey? 🦃

I promise, birth is not that! But let’s dive into what we really mean when we say "ready"…

What Does “Ready” Mean Then?

So, what does being “ready” actually look like? It’s about creating space in your body, mind, and heart. Here’s what I often tell my clients to focus on as we approach birth:

1. Connection to Your Breath
   Your breath is your anchor in labor. Deep breathing (360 degrees alllll the way around your ribcage) helps keep your nervous system calm and your mind focused. When those surges (aka contractions) start, you want to feel like you’ve got your breath as a tool, not just a reaction to pain. Practicing breathwork NOW, like in yoga or meditation, helps strengthen this connection. If you don’t practice now, it will not be a tool at your disposal!

2. Pelvic Floor Awareness
   Yep, your pelvic floor is a major player in this game. But guess what? It’s not all about tightening! In fact, learning how to release and soften your pelvic floor is just as important as toning it. It’s that softening that allows your baby to move down and out. In my birth prep program, we spend time learning how to activate, but more importantly, how to let go. (A little secret- if your core is engaging properly… your pelvic floor will come along for the ride!)

3. Openness in Body and Mind
   Sometimes readiness means making space—literally and figuratively. Physically, we want your body to be open and aligned, allowing your baby to find the easiest path out. Poses like cat/cow, wide-legged squats, and pelvic tilts help to create that balance and flexibility.

   Mentally, being “ready” often means embracing the unknowns of birth. It’s normal to have a vision of your birth, but it’s equally important to stay flexible. Holding expectations too tightly can create tension—something we definitely don’t want in labor! Let’s make space for joy, curiosity, and even the unexpected twists.

4. Support Systems in Place
   Being ready doesn’t just mean your body is prepared—it means you have people in your corner, whether that’s a partner, doula, care provider, or best friend. They’re there to hold you up (sometimes literally!) and help you feel safe and supported. Birth is not a solo journey.

5. Birth Plans and Contingency Plans

   Accepting that we just don’t know how your birth is going to go… whatever happens you will go with the flow! But having a plan means you know what the possibilities are, and having tools to advocate for yourself can be priceless.

6. Addressing Imbalances

   If you have aches and pains in pregnancy- they are just a reflexion of alignment that is not super efficient for you. Pregnancy is a really transformative time, where you have the ability to address alignment, strengthen the right muscles so that your body can birth more effectively. Moving intentionally with guidance for about 10 minutes a day will make a HUGE difference.

But Do You Really Need to Prepare?

Here’s something I hear a lot: “Well, people have been giving birth forever… do I really need to prepare? Won’t it just… happen?”

It’s true—birth is a natural process, and yes, people have been doing it for millennia. But here’s the thing: Why not take steps to make it a little easier on yourself? Just because birth is natural doesn’t mean it’s effortless, and a little prep can go a long way in helping you feel more confident, calm, and even comfortable when it’s time to meet your baby.

We have lost the elder mother wisdom that comes from being around a lot of aunties and sisters and friends who are having babies… we keep our postpartums so private and we are horrible at accepting help. So

Think of it this way—most of us wouldn’t run a marathon without doing some training first, right? Sure, we could technically make it across the finish line without preparation, but the experience is likely going to be a whole lot smoother, maybe even enjoyable, if we’ve done a bit of groundwork. (If you saw my thing about birth is not a marathon and now I’m contradicting myself- I see you and I appreciate your attention to detail.)

But if there’s anything you could do to make birth just a little easier or help your body recover better on the other side of birth, why wouldn’t you?

You’re Already Closer Than You Think

Here’s the thing: Your body is already on its way to being birth-ready because it knows what to do. What we’re doing together is helping you tap into that innate wisdom. And while there are things we can do to support and strengthen that readiness—like yoga, breathwork, and staying aligned physically and emotionally—it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present.

So, no need to baste or brine yourself. Birth readiness is about showing up with all your power, tools, and the support you need for your unique experience.

Your body is already amazing, and you’ve got this. 💛

Love,
Emily