Hi mama,
I want to talk about something that not many of us share openly — the fear and anxiety I felt while preparing to give birth.
When I found out I was pregnant with Ollie, I felt so much joy… but alongside that joy came a quiet, growing fear. Not of being a mum — but of giving birth itself. I’d heard so many scary stories. I worried about pain, about losing control, about things happening to me rather than with me. And the truth is, I wasn’t alone in feeling that way.
But something inside me kept saying: “There must be a gentler way.”
So I decided to learn.
Throughout my pregnancy, I did a few courses and spent time really understanding how our bodies are designed to give birth — and how fear can sometimes make the experience harder. I studied topics like:
- How to use breath and movement to stay calm,
- Different birth positions that can support labour naturally,
- And how to advocate for a positive birth experience with respectful care.
The more I learned, the less afraid I became.
Please know — I’m not here to give medical advice or tell anyone how they should give birth. Every journey is unique. What helped me most was realising that I had options. That I could prepare, feel informed, and have a voice in my experience.
I also discovered how important it is to feel safe and supported — emotionally, physically, and mentally. That’s something every birthing person deserves, no matter what kind of birth they have.
If you're expecting, and feeling nervous, you're not weak. You're not unprepared. You're human. And you're allowed to seek out support, knowledge, and care that feel right for you.
I'll be sharing more soon about the tools and rituals that helped me through labour — and how I created a calming space around me (even in a hospital room!).
Until then, know that fear doesn’t mean you're not ready.
It just means you're brave enough to care deeply about your experience.
With love,
Renata (Ollie’s mum) 💛