7 ways to increase your chances of having a vaginal birth

If a having a vaginal birth is a high priority for you, check out our tips to help make it happen.

1. Take a childbirth class

If you are reading this inside of Motherly’s birth, we are so glad you are here! If you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you!

Childbirth education will empower you with knowledge and confidence. You’ll learn all about the process of labor and birth, what interventions exist and when they are (and are not) necessary, and of course, tons of coping skills to help you rock your birth.

2. Choose a provider and birth place that value vaginal birth

When you are choosing who will attend your birth, be sure to ask many questions about their rates of vaginal births (compared to c sections), as well as their intervention rates. If you don’t get a good feeling, move on. For more info about choosing the best provider and birth place for you, check out this article.

3. Be as healthy as possible

Attend regular prenatal appointments, east really healthy foods, exercise and just take great care of yourself in general. Birth is a marathon—you want to approach it with as much energy and stamina as possible.

4. Move throughout your pregnancy

Our modern day lifestyle isn’t awesome for preparing our bodies for birth—we spend a lot of time sitting (with not-so-hot posture) which doesn’t allow our babies to get into the best position for birth. To combat this, find ways to move throughout the day, Walking, dancing, prenatal yoga, and swaying on a birth ball are all great ways to help encourage your baby to lock-in in an optimal position.

5. Assemble a rock solid birth team

Having consistent emotional support during your labor can significantly reduce the length, interventions and pain of birth. Spend time connecting with your partner and making sure you are on the same page about birth. Only invite people to your birth that raise you up (stress inducing family members need not apply). And consider hiring a doula to provide professional level guidance throughout the process.

6. Stay home

Staying home in early labor can significantly reduce the amount of interventions used during your birth, which can ultimately increase your chance of a vaginal birth. When you go into labor, call your doctor or midwife and come up with a plan—if they encourage to wait it out at home a bit longer, and you feel like you are able to, definitely do so.

7. Trust your body

Your body was made to do this, and it knows exactly what to do. Trust your innate wisdom and amazingness. You’ve got this!