Getting Ready for Labour

Because birth prep is just as important as the perfect pram.

We spend hours scrolling for the dream nursery colour palette. We compare travel systems, research bottle brands, fold tiny babygrows into drawers… and honestly, we love all of that. But when it comes to getting ready for labour, sometimes that bit gets left to the last minute – or missed altogether.

And yet, your birth day will stay with you forever. How you feel during labour and how supported, prepared and empowered you are can shape how you enter motherhood. So let’s talk about preparing for that day, not just the days after.

Whether you’re a first-time parent or doing it all again, this blog will walk you through why birth prep matters, how hypnobirthing and antenatal education help, and the game-changing magic of biomechanics.

The Bit That Often Gets Missed

Decorating the nursery? Fun.
Buying tiny socks? Heart-melting.
Researching how to move your body in labour to help your baby rotate through your pelvis? …Less glamorous. But arguably more important.

Here’s the truth: Birth is not just something that “happens” to you. You can take an active role in shaping how it unfolds. And while you can’t predict every twist and turn (because birth is beautifully unpredictable), you can be ready with the tools to feel calm, in control, and confident.

Hypnobirthing: Not Just Breathing and Calm Music

Hypnobirthing is all about understanding what’s happening in your body and learning how to work with it rather than against it. It combines practical knowledge with relaxation, breathing, and mindset techniques so you feel more in control – whatever kind of birth you have.

It teaches you how to:

• Stay calm and focused, even when things feel intense

• Breathe in a way that supports your body’s natural birthing rhythm

• Understand your hormones, so you can encourage the good ones (oxytocin!) and reduce adrenaline

• Make informed decisions that align with your preferences

It’s powerful stuff – and when you pair it with antenatal education, you’re basically building your birth toolkit.

Antenatal Education: The Confidence You Didn’t Know You Needed

Antenatal classes aren’t just about when to go to hospital or what contractions feel like (though, yes, we cover that too!). The best classes leave you feeling like you get it. You understand how your body works, what your options are, and how to navigate the birth system.

When you feel informed, you feel confident. And confidence is key.

You’ll also learn what your birth partner can actually do to help (spoiler: it’s not just holding your hand and eating the snacks). With the right guidance, they can be your number one support and advocate.

Let’s Talk Biomechanics And Why It’s a Total Game-Changer

When you hear the word biomechanics, you might think of sports or engineering. But it’s also one of the most powerful and underused tools in birth preparation.

🧠 What Is Biomechanics?

Biomechanics is the science of how your body moves. In pregnancy and labour, it’s about how your bones, ligaments, muscles and joints work together to:

• Create space in the pelvis

• Support your baby’s position

• Help your baby rotate and descend through the birth canal

Your pelvis isn’t a fixed bowl. It’s a dynamic, flexible structure. And your baby? They’re not just floating around. They’re actively engaging with your pelvis and moving their way through during labour. Your body AND your baby work together during birth.

Why Does It Matter?

Understanding biomechanics can help you:

• Encourage your baby into the best position for birth

• Reduce the risk of a long labour

• Keep labour progressing smoothly

• Lower your chance of interventions like forceps or caesarean

• Avoid the dreaded “back-to-back” (OP) baby scenario

This isn’t about doing complicated yoga moves or spinning your baby with tricks. It’s about simple, intentional daily movements that support your alignment and optimise your baby’s position naturally.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Here are some ways you can start using biomechanics in pregnancy and labour:

During Pregnancy:

• Sit upright or forward-leaning on a birth ball or chair (no slouching on the sofa!)

• Walk daily – even 10 minutes helps

• Avoid reclining for long periods – prop yourself up or sit on the edge

• Use stairs, do gentle stretches, and stay mobile

In Labour:

• Use upright, forward and open positions

• Try asymmetrical movements (like lunges or kneeling on one leg)

• Use rebozo techniques, a side-lying release, or stair walking if baby seems “stuck”

• Let your birth partner support you in finding comfort and space

These movements help release tension, balance the pelvis, and make it easier for baby to rotate and descend.

The Evidence (Because Yes, This Is Backed by Research)

A study published in the British Journal of Midwifery showed that using a biomechanics toolkit in pregnancy and labour led to:

• An increase in spontaneous labour (from 57.2% to 72.2%)

• Fewer inductions

• Fewer emergency caesareans

• More births before 41 weeks

So this isn’t just theory – this stuff works.

Get Your Birth Toolkit Ready

Here at The Bump to Baby Chapter, we believe that every parent deserves to feel prepared and powerful going into birth.

That’s why we include hypnobirthing, biomechanics and antenatal education in our courses. You’ll learn:

• How to move and rest to support your baby’s journey

• What your birth partner can do to support you

• How to navigate a change of plans with confidence

• What positions and techniques to use in each stage of labour

Because birth prep should be more than buying muslins and nappies. It’s about preparing yourself – body, mind, and pelvis – for one of the biggest days of your life.

Ready to feel confident and prepared?

Explore our online and in-person antenatal & hypnobirthing courses today – and get everything you need to support your birth, your baby, and yourself 💛