But today a pregnant woman faces many obstacles to achieving this dreamlike, birth experience. With all the pressure to have a caesar, many women lose confidence in their own ability to give birth.

Fortunately there is a lot you can do to prepare to yourself, physically and emotionally. Mothers and babies in a healthier condition at birth and who are well rested and in the right frame of mind have less chance of complications and medical intervention, less chance of postnatal depression and a higher breastfeeding success rate.

Midwife care
Preparation for the actual birth commences at the start of pregnancy – ideally even before you fall pregnant – and is built upon at each antenatal appointment. Seeing a midwife throughout your pregnancy and having that same midwife at the delivery greatly improves your chances of a positive birth experience because the midwife knows you well enough total physical or emotional support during labour.

You can go to a midwife for your checkups throughout your pregnancy or you could see a midwife for some things and an obstetrician for others. Apart from doing the usual antenatal check ups, a midwife will guide and support you on all aspects of your pregnancy, including health, diet exercise, emotional support, breastfeeding, birth- even fertility before pregnancy. Midwives are qualified to diagnose complications early throughout pregnancy and would refer you to an obstetrician where appropriate.

Supplementation
Ideally, take folic acid six weeks prior to pregnancy and continue taking it for at least the first three months of the pregnancy. It has been shown to decrease the incidence of spina bifida in babies and enhances the absorption of iron. Tissue salts such as Calcium fluoride, Calcium Phosphate, Ferrum Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate and Magnesium Phosphate promote new growth of blood vessels and muscles and maintain the elasticity of the skin. They also promote iron absorption and reduce the risk of infection and cramps. Be sure to consult a homeopath for advice.

Exercise
During labour you will need a lot of stamina to keep going, so fitness is a great advantage. Strong and supple muscles will give you the strength to get into positions that will help the progress of labour, so do lots of stretching throughout your pregnancy. Squatting is a very good position during labour so get plenty of practice beforehand.

Holding on to something stable, bend your knees till you almost sit on your heels and take the weight over your heels as you bend. Hold this position. Good exercises for pregnancy are swimming, walking, gentle stretching, yoga or belly dancing. Belly dancing has its ancient roots in the preparation for childbirth. It helps women to get to know their bodies. It teaches women to move certain parts of the body, such as the pelvis, and exercise them in a way that will facilitate a more effective birth.