Did you know that 1 in 3 women having their first baby will have an assisted birth, using either forceps or ventouse?

I’m not sharing that to frighten you. I’m sharing it because I think you deserve to know, and because knowing gives you the chance to do something about it.

Forceps and ventouse aren’t offered without reason. The most common reasons given for being offered, are maternal exhaustion, labour not progressing, or concerns about the baby’s wellbeing. Some of those circumstances are more within your influence than you might think.

Staying mobile and upright during labour. Understanding your options before you’re in the middle of a contraction. Having someone in your corner who knows your wishes and can advocate for you when you’re deep in the intensity of it. Knowing your rights. Breathing your baby down rather than purple pushing on someone else’s count.

All these things matter. They’re not guarantees, and I’ll never tell you that preparing means you can control every outcome. But they absolutely reduce the likelihood of a labour that stalls, a second stage that goes on too long, and an exhausted mama who has run out of tools for labour.

This is exactly why birth preparation exists. Not to tick a box. Not to make you feel like you’ve done your homework. But to genuinely change the odds in your favour.

If you want to know more about how I can help you prepare, my inbox is open.