Preparing for birth: online resources

If you’re pregnant you’re probably trying to soak up as much knowledge as you can to prepare for your birth.

And as the saying goes, “knowledge is power”, and this has never been truer when it comes to your pregnancy and birth. 

Tylah McConnell, a midwife based in Sydney, told TMB TV, “I want women to know that this is an incredible time to feel empowered, to feel capable. Yes, you may not be able to get this information given to you in conventional ways – but it’s a time to step into your intuition as a mum and a woman to seek out the information where possible.”

To help you get started Tylah has listed a bunch on fantastic online resources to help you prepare for your birth.

Online resources

Tylah says the first thing you need to do is to think about the information you might need and start there. But she also recommends the following online resources to help prepare for birth physically and mentally.

1. Call your hospital

“It’s okay to take things into your own hands and call your hospital and ask questions,” says Tylah. “They field them all day every day, so don’t be afraid to call up and find out the unknown.”

2. Spinning Babies

Tylah says “birth is a physically demanding activity, so make sure that even though you’re stuck in isolation, you’re still trying to build up that strength and endurance.” She recommends Spinning Babies, a free resource with daily exercises to help you prepare for birth.

3. Mind the Bump app

Additionally, Tylah says “there is an app called Mind the Bump with great mindfulness and meditation resources for you to be really able to let go and relax despite everything that is going on.” Other online resources she recommends, include Hypnobabies and She Births.

4. Global Health Media

“Global Health Media has incredible videos on breastfeeding, on latch, on expressing. While you’re at home, getting your knowledge up on breastfeeding can put you forward in the long run once you have bub,” she says.

5. Local hospital fact sheets

“Looking at your local hospital’s fact sheets and websites because that information is going to be specific to your hospital. If your hospital doesn’t have any, I recommend the Royal Women’s Hospital website for fact sheets and Westmead Hospital’s Women’s and Newborn Health fact sheets.”