Spiritual Pregnancy

The original Spiritual Midwifery, published in 1976, introduced an entire generation of young women to the possibility of home birth and breast feeding. It also breathed new life into the all-but-vanished field of midwifery. The current edition of this classic book on home birth is now an audiobook, with updated information on the safety of natural childbirth, new birthing stories, and the most recent statistics on births managed by The Farm Midwives.

Hearing "you're pregnant" for the first time is a memorable and exciting moment. You can't wait to finally hold and cuddle your baby. For many women, fears about childbirth along with health concerns for the baby and even their confidence in their abilities to be good mothers often accompany that excitement. Though normal, these stressing thoughts distract you from cherishing every moment of pregnancy. Indeed, the physical, emotional and mental changes you experience can be unnerving.

How can mentally being ready for pregnancy aid in conception? In addition to the obvious benefits of becoming in shape, it can also help to mentally prepare for pregnancy. According to research, a happy outlook, low stress levels, and regular meditation all improve a woman's mental and physical health in preparation for pregnancy.

Do you want to use your faith to have a natural childbirth, no matter the environment you end up in? Going through my youngest daughter’s birth without the support of my spouse was a life changing and faith growing experience. I made changes to my birth plan to accommodate my change in location, having my young son in tow, and needing additional support for the labor and delivery. Having the support of midwives, the flexibility of birthing at a center, and the power of prayer made all the difference in my experience.

While many mothers can be caught off guard by the demands of the fourth trimester, registered nurse and childbirth educator Rachel Taylor is here to guide you every step of the way in this physical, emotional, and spiritual roadmap for the postpartum season. Rachel—a mother of three and an RN with more than 15 years specializing in mother-baby nursing—has helped thousands of mothers navigate their postpartum lives with compassion, wisdom, and evidence-based care.