5 things to help create a calm birth environment

One way to feel in calm in your birth is to take control of your birth environment. Simple things that can be used to make you feel comfortable whether you are at home, birth centre or labour ward.

Before I launch straight in though, why? Why control your birth environment? Simply, because of that shy but oh so important hormone: oxytocin. Oxytocin is the key. Oxytocin is the queen of the birth, the star. With this your body will feel safe enough to birth your baby with relative ease. Its Greek origins actually mean ‘quick childbirth’. But as with the star of any show they have a set rider, and without they just don’t want to play along.

Oxytocin likes:

Privacy

Low lighting

Deep breathing

Laughing

Love and kindness

Touch and kisses

Support and trust

So here are my top 5 things you need for a calm birth environment that will boost your oxytocin.

1. Lighting: the right lighting can transform a room, even one with lots of medical equipment. Shut the blinds, turn off the overhead lights and make it cozy. Then bring on the soft lighting. If you are at home you could have real candles but the battery powered candles can produce a similar effect, without you having to worry about them. These are also a great option for the birth centre or labour ward. There is nothing quite like cuddling up in front of your Christmas tree in December, well those twinkling lights just became perfect for your birth environment, so keep them at hand. I also love a stary lights projector, which can be picked up fairly cheaply and can make your birth environment so calming. Some birth centres have mood lighting options. If you are in theatre, you could ask for the lights to be dimmed at your end, or you could wear an eye mask to block out those bright lights.
2. Blanket: You want to feel safe and completely at home. If you are planning a homebirth, this will be easy as you are alredy in your own space. But think about what things will make you feel safe but could also provide privacy. This is where your favourite snuggly blanket comes in (the bigger the better). If you don’t have one, get one, although a sheet or empty duvet cover would do. Now you want it to feel and smell like home. Use it to cuddle up on the sofa with, use your favourite room spray on it. If you are heading to the birth centre or labour ward, take it with you, along with any other pillows and things from home (take it in a pillow case that is not white for easy recognition). Cuddle up with it, make a fort with it, grip onto it. I spent a large portion of my third labour on all fours under the duvet in the spare bedroom. It was warm, safe and private. Don’t underestimate the power of a blanket fort!
3. Music: Make a birth play list for you. This is something you have control over and can be played wherever you give birth, even in theatre. But make sure it is the right fit for you. If the traditional calm music drives you insane, don’t listen to it. What is your go to music, when you have had a bad day or you need a good cry? You’re probably in the right direction here. In my first 2 pregnancies my husband made the playlist and they were good and had lots of songs I loved on them. At about 39 weeks on my 3rd pregnancy I decided to compile my own, full of musical theatre numbers. It was exactly what I needed. You can also listen on headphones which gives you an added layer of privacy and helps shut out any other conversations.
4. Scent: Smell is one of the most powerful senses to invoke memories. It is worth building a certain scent into your hypnobirthing and relaxation sessions at home. It could be lavender, peppermint, rose, mandarin or frankincense; these all have anxiety relieving properties. But it could also be your favourite perfume or aftershave. If you have anchored this scent in your hypnobirthing practice using it during labour will help evoke those feelings of calmness and allow you to surrender to the sensations of your body. You could take a room spray, an oil diffuser, burn incense if you are at home, or take it on a flannel or hanky, or a rollerball.
5. Support: The biggest way to create a calm birth environment is to have your birth partner there and fully aware of their role. It is so much more than hand holding. Firstly they should have done the leg work, the reading, the planning with you. You can’t just turn up on the day and expect to be your support. They need to know the birth plan, they need to know how to set up all the things listed above exactly the way you want them- without being told at the time. They are your guard dog. They protect your space. They advocate for you and only let in the questions that are necessary. They discreetly time contractions (not all the time! just to get an idea). They call the midwives/hospital. They ensure you eat, drink and go for a wee regularly. They help monitor your breathing and help you slow it right down, they lead and you follow. They watch you and get to know your non verbal signals. They make you laugh, if that is what you need or mostly likely stay silent. Staying silent and being present, supporting you.

If you want a birth partner like that then be sure to book onto one of my group courses where they will learn how to support you, how hormones work to support you in physiological birth and how to write a birth plan alongside you. https://courageousbirthsandbeyond.co.uk/group-courses/

As always,

Kiki x