Digital
A Mindful Birth
a birth planning guide
Welcome to Birth Planning
Birth is not a master test that you need to remember every bit of information in order to have a beautiful experience. It is an initiation of learning yourself more deeply: your energy, your body, your boundaries, your dreams, and practicing living in that truth and wisdom.
Many pregnant clients express feelings of overwhelm when planning for their birth, but birth doesn’t have to be overwhelming when we remember how much we already know within ourselves. My work as a doula is to assist families as they prepare for birth in a way that builds confidence through yoga and embodiment practices.
My intention for A Mindful Birth is to give you framework to guide you through the process of preparing for your birth as a sacred rite of passage for you, your partner, and your baby, not a medical event.
This birth planning book is designed for every mother, birther, or birth worker who wants to enhance the pregnancy and birth experience through knowledge and nourishing practices. This is not a guide to the perfect or best birth. It is a guide to ask yourself the right questions so that you might find what YOU need for your birth experience.
A Mindful Birth is a printable guide that walks you through preparing for your birth. The guide covers:
Stages of Birth
Your Birth Team
Creating Sacred Space
Comfort Measures
Interventions
Preparing your Body + Energy
Preparing Mentally
Birth is a sacred initiation to know yourself and humanity more deeply. It is an opportunity to finally begin listening to your intuition, allow your body to lead you, and build confidence in your ability to navigate yourself and relationships around you. Setting strong boundaries and making decisions from a place of power, not coercion, will cultivate your own personal power in postpartum and motherhood too.
Inside A Mindful Birth
Choosing a Provider & Birth Space
Your biggest decision that will impact your birth outcomes the most. Understand the role of OB’s, midwives, and doulas, as well as the difference between hospital, birth center and home birth settings.
Comfort Measures
Learn how to set the optimal environment, using movement, water, massage, and aromatherapy to ease your discomfort and improve your experience.
Movement for Third Trimester & Birth
Learn breath practices, gentle movement and energy practices to prepare for and ground yourself through your birth. These practices are beneficially into postpartum as well!
Preparing Mentally
You’ll receive affirmations for birth and a guide for sharing your plans with family and deciding who can be present. You’ll also walk through the practice of acceptance and grace so that no matter how your birth unfolds, you can feel confident and proud of your work and transformation.
Download and get started preparing for birth today.
ABOUT
I’m Lauren Shields - a yogic and Ayurvedic full spectrum doula and mother of three.
I created Intentionally Embodied Birth because I’ve lived the experience of feeling disconnected to my body and my knowing during the pregnancy and postpartum transition. I’ve also learned how different it can feel when you’re grounded, supported, and present with yourself on your journey.
My care is based in yoga and Ayurvedic traditions and infused with my own personal touch. Your care is intentional, personalized, and designed to support you and your growing family every step of the way.