Written in partnership with Becca O’Leary, founder of My Little Kiwi (NZ Registered Midwife and mum of two), offering practical antenatal education for confident birth and early parenting.
As a midwife and mum of two, I know that preparing for birth can feel both exciting and overwhelming. There’s so much advice out there, and it’s hard to know where to start. But here’s the truth: preparation isn’t about ticking every box or having a rigid plan. It’s about building knowledge, confidence, and support so you can approach birth feeling calm and capable - whatever path your journey takes.
Here are some of my top tips for getting ready for a positive birth experience:
1. Learn How Birth Works
Understanding the physiology of labour and how your body and baby work together can take away a lot of fear. When you know what’s normal, you’re less likely to be thrown by new sensations or by the length of labour. Education also helps you understand your options if interventions are suggested, so you feel confident making decisions along the way.
2. Create a Supportive Birth Team
Who you have around you matters. Whether that’s your partner, a close whānau member, a doula, or a trusted friend. Make sure your support people know what helps you feel safe and calm. When you feel emotionally supported, your body is more likely to release oxytocin - the powerful love hormone that drives labour forward.
3. Explore Comfort Measures
There are so many natural tools that can make a big difference in labour. Breathing techniques, relaxation tracks, massage, water immersion, movement, and acupressure can all help you feel more comfortable and in control. Practicing these in pregnancy means they’ll be second nature on the big day.
4. Prepare Your Mindset
Birth isn’t just a physical experience, it’s deeply mental and emotional too. Techniques like affirmations, guided relaxation, and visualisation can help you reframe fear into trust. Remember: labour pain is pain with a purpose, and every contraction brings you one step closer to meeting your baby.
5. Look After Yourself in Pregnancy
Preparing for birth also means caring for yourself during pregnancy. Prioritising rest, nourishing food, and gentle movement helps your body and mind feel stronger as you approach labour. A good night’s sleep can make a huge difference, though it’s not always easy when you’re pregnant! Supportive tools, like the Sleepybelly pregnancy pillow, can help you get more comfortable and wake up feeling more rested.
6. Think Beyond the Birth
It’s easy to focus all your energy on labour, but your postpartum recovery and early weeks with a newborn deserve just as much preparation. Organise meals, set up support for household tasks, and learn the basics of feeding and newborn care. Lining up this support now can make those first weeks gentler for your whole whānau.
Final Thoughts
Preparing for birth doesn’t guarantee a certain outcome, but it does help you feel grounded and confident, no matter what happens. My hope is that every parent goes into birth knowing they have choices, tools, and support at their fingertips.
Birth prep doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! If you’d like a step-by-step guide through all of this, my online antenatal course and resources are designed to give you tools, knowledge, and confidence for birth and early parenting.
About Becca
Becca O’Leary is a New Zealand registered midwife and mum of two. She founded My Little Kiwi to make antenatal education feel down-to-earth, practical, and genuinely supportive. Through both in-person and online courses, Becca helps families feel informed, empowered, and confident as they prepare for birth and life with a newborn. Her goal is simple: to give parents the tools and reassurance they need for a positive start to their parenting journey.
