Congratulations you are pregnant! It's an exciting time, one of change and learning. My partner in crime, Ellen Turchini and I got together and wrote our top tips on getting - and feeling - prepared.

1.     Research and Choose Your Medical Care

One of the first things to research is who will be caring for you during this time and where would you like to give birth. Birthing options can be overwhelming when faced with lots of options so it is a good idea to start with what your ideal birth would look like and find the care model that supports it.

2.     Take an Additional Childbirth Education Course

Birth and parenting is a big deal, so you want to do more than the minimum education that is offered to you. Hospital courses are great for familiarising you with the environment and policies of where you are giving birth, but investing in your pregnancy and birth through additional education will provide you with extra resources and tools to support your experience. There are a range of courses available, both online and face to face, so it is worth exploring and finding one that suits you in terms of philosophy and time.

3.     Self Care

Remember that pregnancy and birth is a marathon not a sprint! Make sure you keep active and well nourished during this time. Prenatal yoga and pilates is a fantastic way to support your changing body and preparing for the labour ahead.

4.     See a Chiropractor

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is amazing. Even if you are not experiencing any problems that specifically require chiro care, it is a very good idea to have an assessment. Ensuring that your pelvis is well balanced assists with optimal foetal positioning and ease of labour.

Postnatally a chiro assessment is also really important for you and baby.

5.     Choose your Support Team

It doesn’t matter where you are choosing to give birth, the right team will make all the difference. Hire a doula! Doulas support all sorts of births in all sorts of settings, offering knowledgable and practical non-medical care for you and the rest of your team. If you’re not hiring a doula make sure that your pre and post natal support team are aligned with your birth wishes and can provide capable, unwavering care.

6.     Write a Birth Plan

You wouldn’t walk into any major life event without having some preparation or idea on how you would like it to go. Birth is no different! Have a plan, but stay flexible on the day.

7.     Remember the Fourth Trimester

We tend to focus a lot on pregnancy and birth and gloss over the period of time that immediately follows. Think about and prepare for your recovery, prioritise rest, stay nourished and ask for help!

Ellen and I collaborate and support each other in our work, you can find more information about her at ellenturchini.com