How to Prepare for Labor by Holding Ice
In my childbirth classes one of the ways we prepare for labor is by holding ice. I realize this may sound super strange, but I’ve found it to be an …
Hi there! I’m Lindsey VanAlstyne, the childbirth educator behind Mother Rising. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about natural childbirth. Natural birth 101 – how to plan for a natural birth, ways to cope with labor pain, and more!
(Pssst! Come join my FREE Facebook group just for pregnant women! I can’t wait to meet you.)
To get started with a natural birth, study the basics – the stages of labor. Learn about when to go to the hospital, understanding contractions, writing a birth plan, identifying early labor, water breaking 101, and more with Mother Rising’s tips and advice for each stage of labor!
Once you understand how normal labor progresses, it’s helpful to pair that information with coping strategies for the pain of labor. DIY pain management in labor is extremely effective and a cornerstone to having a safe and satisfying natural birth experience. Learn the about the purpose of labor pain and how to relax during contractions.
Check out all the “How To’s” of decreasing labor pains:
Learn about birthing tools used in labor and delivery like a birthing ball, hydrotherapy/water birth, gas and air for labor, but also birth affirmations, and the B.R.A.I.N. acronym tool that helps parents obtain informed consent.
Discover the world of homebirth with homebirth stories, a homebirth supply list, understanding a midwife’s birth team, how to setup for a water birth, having siblings at birth, and more with Mother Rising’s tips and advice for homebirth!
Want to know more about a natural hospital birth? I got you. Plan for an empowered natural hospital birth with questions to ask on a hospital tour, and tips to pack a hospital bag. Learn about laboring at home as long as possible, coping through labor before an epidural, VBAC tips, routine newborn procedures, and more with Mother Rising’s tips and advice for hospital birth!
Read birth stories and see birth photos for inspiration and motivation, written by mamas just like you! Have a birth story to share? Send it my way. :)
Here you’ll find the latest evidence-based resources, articles, and inspiration for all things natural birth. Enjoy! :)
In my childbirth classes one of the ways we prepare for labor is by holding ice. I realize this may sound super strange, but I’ve found it to be an …
IV pain meds in labor are the go-to epidural alternative for parents looking for a less invasive pain medicine. In my experience as a doula, IV pain meds in labor …
One of the best tips for early labor is to prioritize rest in order to avoid exhaustion in the later stages of labor. Why is prioritizing rest important? First time …
The disadvantages of HypnoBirthing are often unknown to new parents simply because of a lack of exposure and experience with the method. As a doula and birth assistant, I attend …
Mother Rising’s beautiful, free birth affirmations encourage and strengthen parents as they navigate through one of the most wonderful and difficult journeys of their lives. The heart expands with love …
Creating a serene labor environment at home is important for parents to consider when creating a birth plan. When a laboring mom is serene, her labor will be more enjoyable …
Do you know the right questions to ask a midwife at an interview or first consult? Choosing a midwife to assist in the birth of your child is a significant …
A childbirth assistant, more commonly known as a birth assistant (BA), attends out of hospital births with a licensed midwife at freestanding birth centers and homebirths. The role of a …
Birth is a profound and awe-inspiring journey that showcases the strength, resilience, and beauty of women. Birth documentaries provide an intimate look into this transformative experience while educating viewers about …
The 411 contractions rule is an easy way to know when to go to the hospital. – when each contraction is 4 minutes apart, 1 minute long, and has been …
Birth pain in the Bible begins in Genesis, ends in Revelation, and is used literally and metaphorically in both the new and old testaments. What do these verses and stories …
I wrote these thoughts on suffering in labor during March of 2017, but for whatever reason never published it. I just read it again, 6.5 years later and, interestingly enough, …