5 Elements of Birth

Most people don’t think there’s any elements to birth when it’s brought up: you go into labor, you give birth, end of story.

But how many of you have seen an animal like a dog or cat give birth? Where do they go? What type of environment do they give birth in? Why do you think they search for that environment?

It’s all about hacking your hormones and making sure labor progresses to give birth to that gorgeous squishiness.

5 Elements of Birth

1. Safety - You need to feel safe in order to give birth. If you do not feel safe, your body knows and many times labor will not progress. WHAT makes you feel safe? WHO makes you feel safe? Prioritize this when planning your birth.

2. Darkness - Many people don’t realize it but melatonin plays an important role in the birth process. When you talk to people who have gone into labor spontaneously, when do they typically go into labor? A lot of the time it’s at night (where they are relaxed, warm, it’s dark, and they feel safe…huh, imagine that) and it’s also when melatonin is produced the most. Being in a hospital setting you can combat bright lights with an eye mask like 40 Blinks (these are great because they don’t touch your eye lashes).

3. Warmth - This is kind of a difficult one in the sense that the birthing person’s temperature will fluctuate as labor progresses. However until you get to the point of being yelled at every 2 minutes because they want the temperature changed, keeping them warm and comfy and cozy is a priority! ESPECIALLY in the beginning of labor.

4. Privacy - Umm, what got baby in, is going to get baby out. No one likes to feel like a watched pot. I mean, how many of you could poop with an entire audience (and I’m not talking about those of us with kids already who do this on a daily basis 😂)?

5. Silence - Yes and no. Many of my clients like to play music or listen to guided meditation while they are in labor (especially my Hypnobirthing and GentleBirth clients). This more goes along the lines of talking soft, not listening to music super loud, of really just trying to keep a calm environment. However it is really up to the birthing person and their preferences, If they want to blast Beyonce and dance that baby out, so be it, let’s have a dance party!

**These are in the order that I personally feel are from most important to least HOWEVER, we want ALL FIVE ELEMENTS at all times if possible.

put them all together

We really want to combine them all for the birth space. Which is easy at a home birth, it’s typically pretty easy at a birth center birth as well. However a hospital birth is when these elements are most important. There’s more distractions, more people coming in and out, more people who don’t understand natural physiological birth and what it entails to make sure it progresses naturally.

This is when birth partners (and doulas) can focus on keeping the lights dim, talking softly, making sure the birthing person is hydrated, fed, warm/cool as needed, using the bathroom, etc.

We want the birthing person to feel powerful and relaxed all at once.