Preparing for birth

  1. Cookie Policy
  2. Accessibility
  1. Contrast:
Bump-Birth-and-Beyond-logo

Search the Bump, Birth and Beyond website

Advanced options
  1. My pregnancy
    1. Preparing for pregnancy
    2. Tell us you're pregnant
    3. When is my baby due?
    4. My pregnancy journey
    5. My healthy pregnancy
    6. My NHS care in pregnancy
    7. Do I need urgent help?
    8. Screening tests in pregnancy
    9. Not a first time mum?
    10. Teenage pregnancy
    11. Preparing for birth
    12. Preparing for parenthood
    13. Health and wellbeing
  2. Where to birth
    1. Birth choices
    2. Choosing your birth setting
    3. In my area
  3. My birth
    1. Early signs of labour
    2. Stages of labour
    3. Induction of labour
    4. Coping with labour
    5. Assisted birth (forceps or suction cup)
    6. Caesarean birth during labour
    7. Planned caesarean birth
    8. Vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC)
    9. When baby comes early
    10. Inspiring stories
  4. After the birth
    1. Moments after the birth
    2. Recovering from birth
    3. Emotional wellbeing after birth
    4. Feeding my baby
    5. Caring for my baby
    6. Registering the birth
    7. My NHS care after birth
    8. Neonatal care in Kent and Medway
  5. Partners and families
    1. Becoming a parent
    2. Looking after you
    3. Being a birth partner
  6. About us
    1. Feedback
    2. Local Maternity and Neonatal System
    3. Get involved
  7. Contacts
    1. Urgent contact numbers
    2. Contact my midwife
    3. Contact my health visitor
    4. How to report a concern
    5. National and local support
    6. Glossary of terms
  8. Bump, Birth & Beyond neonatal
A pregnant woman doing yoga.

Preparing for birth

Whether you've given birth before, or this is your first time, preparing for birth and a new baby can feel a little daunting. The following sections suggest preparations for birth and beyond that are best tackled during pregnancy.

In this section

  1. Birth plans and preferences

    Importance of flexibility, informed choices, birth settings, and support partners.

  2. Learning about breastfeeding

    Support from organisations to help you prepare for breastfeeding.

  3. Getting to know my baby

    Parents play a vital role in early brain development by helping babies feel calm and safe.

  4. Perineal massage

    Reduces birth-related injuries by stretching the area between vagina and anus.

  5. Antenatal courses

    Prepare for your baby's birth and how to care for your newborn.

  6. Hypnobirthing

    Hypnobirthing helps to support you during childbirth.

  1. Now viewing:
  2. Home
  3. My pregnancy
  4. Preparing for birth

Back to top of page Print this page Email this page Site map

Bump, birth and beyond white logo

Quick links

Professionals

Privacy Policy

Accessibility statement

Contacts

Useful links

Where to birth

Tell us you're pregnant

Health and wellbeing

Kent and Medway © 2025

Powered by VerseOne Group Ltd

We have placed cookies on your computer to help make this website better. You can at any time read our cookie policy. Otherwise, we will assume that you're OK to continue.

Change cookie settings: