Six practices and habits to prepare your body for a home birth
How did you prepare your body for an at-home birth?
This was my top asked question in my DMs after my second son was born. Everything from what herbs and supplements I used to what I did for nutrition, how I exercised, and even what physical check-ups were like.
So here are six practices and habits I did during my pregnancy to prepare my body. (And if you’re curious, you can read more about Kuai’s birth story and my VBAC experience here).
Please keep in mind, every body is different. Always tune into yours before trying anything.
1. Take daily supplements.
I used only whole food supplements because I was told by my doula that absorption is higher. The brand I love and used throughout both my pregnancies is called MegaFoods.
2. Focus on balanced nutrition and lots of hydration.
I felt my best when I ate a colourful diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. But I only ate cooked vegetables 20% of the time.
I generally eat a plant-based diet outside of pregnancy, however, I decided to intuitively eat and consume animal products.
My doula says, “healthy pregnancies require some animal protein.” She was right! I sourced these items from local farms just north of me.
Hydration was also huge. I put extra trace minerals in my water each day to help with energy and proper hydration. My go to brands were Trace Minerals and Majka Hydration Booster. I love both these products and still use them. I even give them to my kids!
3. Drink your herbs.
For this pregnancy I drank herbs daily and it made a huge difference!
Herbs are incredibly supportive and healing. They kept me and the baby nourished, boosted our immunity, helped with rest, circulation, muscle repair, hormones, and so much more! I used this amazing pre and post-natal herb mixture made by my amazing friend, Nidhi Seth. Purchase it here by contacting her. She’s lovely and will ship to you directly!
4. Move your body in more ways than one.
I did a combination of three things. I did yoga and pilates four days a week using the MWH Method. Melissa Wood has a whole pre/post natal section dedicated to supporting mamas.
The other two days I did weight lifting. I’ve been lifting weights for 10 years with the same personal trainer, so I just reduced the amount of times per week.
I found this combination to work best. I was able to maintain my muscle mass through weight lifting while yoga and pilates created the space and length for the baby to get into the best birth position. (This was the least painful birth. He did come out in the most optimal position!)
5. Get holistic support from various practitioners.
For almost two decades, I’ve seen a variety of practitioners for healing and maintenance. During pregnancy I rotated between a physiotherapist, an NST Body Worker, an Energy Healing practitioner, and acupuncturist.
This combo covered all my angles and supported me in ways to stay focused, keep my body aligned and open, and kept my energy grounded so my fears were at bay.
6. Work with a TBC for some extra TLC.
I got my bloodwork done through my family doctor every trimester. I particularly checked my iron levels in my third trimester so if I needed to increase it, I had time before birth.
Other than that, I didn’t have a reason to see a doctor. I felt great! My baby got checked on by my Traditional Birth Companion (TBC) when she came to my house. She checked the baby's size, heartbeat, position, and my blood pressure.
I did ask her to do these things. They are totally optional when you work with a TBC. Billie Harrigan was my TBC and I highly recommend her. You can reach out here if you’re looking for one.
I hope this brings immense support to you no matter if you’re pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant, or just want healthy habits to support your body in your day-to-day.