preparation for childbirth
Jun 02, 2023
Our PregActive community is all about supporting each other. Today I want to share some tips on how to write a birth story. We love hearing birth stories from our moms and their birth experience. A birth story can provide invaluable insight for expectant mothers. The more you learn, the less you will fear childbirth!
What is the Birth Story?
A birth story is where you can share your story of labor and the birth of your baby. It’s a way to share with other moms how you’re processing your birth and your birth experience. Your birth story will be different from other moms. If you have a story to share please send us an email
Benefits of Writing a Birth Story
1. You can reflect on your feelings and emotions.
2. You can help other moms who need information.
3. Keep those special moments that you might forget.
4. Open up about your recovery from any birth trauma.
5. Recognize how amazing you are and what you went through during pregnancy.
6. Remind yourself of your courage, strength and power.
7. Learn from your birth experience and apply it to your next birth
Writing a Birth Story Has Benefits
When you write your birth story, you are creating memories that can give your child a deep sense of connection to their birth and start in life. It’s not really the right time to write your own birth story so it really depends on whether you’re ready and willing to open yourself up and reflect.
Your Birth Story Will Open with Emotion
For some moms, writing a birth story can be difficult. It is likely to evoke emotions both positive and negative but will also speak of the excitement and joy of welcoming your baby into the world.
Not All Birth Stories Are Memorable
I know from the stories some mamas have shared that there are parts of your labor, delivery and birth experience that may be too traumatic for you to write about and I want you to know that it’s ok.
You can write about the moments you want to write about. There are no hard and fast rules, it’s your story.
If there are aspects about your birth experience that are causing you distress, please seek help.
A big tip is that you shouldn’t worry about format or editing until you’re done. I want you to say what you want because no one is judging! know what is best for YOU.
How to Write a Birth Story
This is really a personal view about your own experiences. There is no right or wrong way. To help you get started, I’ve written down a few steps that may help guide you. And you can always check out the many birth stories shared by our PregActive moms.
Writing Your Birth Story
1. Begin by documenting a brief timeline of events.
2. Maybe you can use chronological birth photos that help you with the timeline.
3. Sit and recall the experience with someone in labor (birth team, such as your midwife, doula, partner)
4. Write freely and see how much you can write without constant criticism.
5. Some moms like to record their story then write it down.
Birth Story Questions to Help You Get Started
1. What time of day or year?
2. What is the weather?
3. How was your trip to the hospital?
4. Do you work alone?
5. How did this affect your feelings leading up to the onset of labor?
6. Are you before or after your due date?
7. Did you have a special someone there?
8. How did your partner handle the experience?
9. What was the first thing you said to your baby?
10. How is your birth group?
11. What do contractions feel like?
12. What do you think about the whole production?
13. How long did you push?
14. How did you feel when you met your baby?
15. How did you feel in the first days of postpartum?
16. Did you have an ac section or vaginal birth?
17. How did you feel after a few weeks?
How to Write a Birth Story
Hopefully the tips I’ve shared with you will help you not only get started on writing your birth story but also to recognize that this is your personal experience. Not what someone tells you. And not a birth story that you have to share with others if you don’t want to.
Birth Preparation for All Moms
It’s all about self-education and empowerment. The more you know, the less you worry about the unknown. Because you will replace the ‘not knowing’ with tools and tips to trust yourself and discover that you are physically and mentally built for birth.
Birth Stories
1. Valerie’s Positive Birth Story – https://www.pregactive.com/blog/Valeries-Birth-Story
2. Claudia’s Pregnancy, Birth and Motherhood Journey – https://www.pregactive.com/blog/claudia-pregnancy-and-motherhood-journey
3. My Birth Story by Kerryn – The Beginning (Part 1) – https://www.pregactive.com/blog/kerryn-pregnancy-stories-part-1
4. My Birth Story by Kerryn Part 2 – https://www.pregactive.com/blog/My-Birth-Story-by-Kerryn-part-2
#HowtoWriteaBirthStory #BirthStories #WhatisaBirthStory
