Birth Prep With a Naturopath & Pelvic Therapist
What does it actually mean to “prepare for birth,” and how can a naturopathic doctor with training in pelvic floor therapy support you through the process?
Written by Dr. Fiona Callender, ND
When we talk about birth preparation, we’re really talking about preparing physically, mentally, emotionally, and logistically for the experience of bringing your baby into the world.
As a naturopathic doctor and pelvic floor therapist, I approach birth prep through a person-centred lens — with your goals, values, and aspirations at the centre of care. Birth preparation looks different for every person depending on their history, symptoms, risk factors, support system, and hopes for their birth experience.
I often use the term birth aspirations rather than birth plan. Part of preparation is recognizing that birth is unpredictable, and rigid plans can sometimes leave people feeling discouraged or disempowered when things change. Instead, we focus on understanding your options, building confidence in decision-making, and helping you feel informed and supported no matter how your labour unfolds.
One of my primary goals in birth preparation is helping reduce the risk of a negative or traumatic birth experience.
Birth trauma is complex and unfortunately very common. It can have lasting effects on both parent and baby, impacting mental health, recovery, bonding, and future pregnancy experiences. Some factors associated with psychological birth trauma can include:
Obstetric emergencies or unexpected complications
Feeling unsupported, unheard, or disempowered during labour
Poor communication from care providers
High levels of fear or anxiety surrounding birth
Previous traumatic experiences
Mental health concerns previously or during pregnancy
Severe or unmanaged pain
While we can’t control every aspect of birth, one area we focus on in my office is education, communication, and empowerment.
Through discussions about labour, birth positions, induction options, pain management choices, and postpartum recovery, we work toward helping you feel more informed and confident advocating for your needs. Together, we may come up with questions to ask your OB or midwife, discuss how your partner can best support you during labour, or explore whether additional support - such as a doula - may feel beneficial.
We also talk about the BRAIN framework, which can be a helpful tool when making decisions around interventions during labour and birth:
B: Benefits - What are the positive outcomes we are looking for? What can I expect?
R: Risks - What are the potential risks, negatives or concerns about this intervention?
A: Alternatives - Are there any other options available?
I: Intuition - What is my gut telling me?
N: Nothing / Next steps - What happens if we do nothing? What could we do next?
This framework can help create more collaborative conversations with your healthcare team and support informed, values-based decision-making in the moment.
Physical preparation is another important piece of birth prep.
Many people come into pelvic floor therapy assuming it’s only about strengthening muscles to prevent leaking. While pelvic floor strength certainly matters, that’s only one part of the picture.
During pregnancy, the pelvic floor is working incredibly hard to support your growing baby and adapt to changes in posture, pressure, and movement. For birth, these muscles need not only strength, but also the ability to relax, lengthen, and coordinate effectively.
A large part of pelvic floor therapy in pregnancy is developing awareness and connection to your body. We focus on helping your pelvic floor function optimally - not simply making it “stronger.”
Depending on your needs, treatment may include:
Breathing and relaxation exercises
Mobility and stretching work
Birth positioning education
Brain-Body Mindfulness exercises
Full-body strengthening and movement support
Manual therapy techniques
The goal is to help your body feel supported, adaptable, and prepared for labour, delivery, and recovery.
Depending on when we begin working together, we can also address common pregnancy concerns and symptoms, review blood work and supplements, discuss nutrition and movement, and support your overall wellbeing throughout pregnancy. I don’t usually recommend a pelvic floor assessment until about week 15, but if you have any pelvic floor related symptoms (urinary leaking or pain) we can certainly start the conversation earlier.
I love being a space where patients can bring their questions, fears, and uncertainties openly and without judgement. Birth preparation is never just about the physical body, it’s about feeling supported and informed throughout the process. I also frequently collaborate with and refer to other healthcare providers when additional support would be helpful, ensuring you feel fully supported throughout your pregnancy journey.
If you think this feels like a good next step for you, you are welcome to book a meet and greet with me to learn more and see if I’m the right fit for your needs.