Free downloads for birth and parenthood

  • Birth Preferences

    A free template to create your own ‘birth plan’. This is a useful template to support you to explore your options, know your choices and prepare for the best possible birth experience for you. It can be used as an essential communication tool to use with those who care for you during labour and birth.

  • Birth Bag Checklist

    Rather than a ‘hospital bag’, this is an essential list of items for wherever you give birth - at home, in hospital, in a midwife-led unit.

    Includes items for every member of your birth team to make sure you have all the the essentials covered.

  • Postnatal Plan

    You’ve probably heard of a birth plan but have you heard of a postnatal plan? It is SO important to consider how you can best set yourself up for life after birth. The early days of parenting can be hugely challenging. Here are some useful considerations to prepare your mind and prepare your environment.

Recommended resources

Here are a selection of useful websites, books, podcasts and online accounts that I have collated over the years.

Books
The Positive Birth Book – Milli Hill
How to Have a Baby - Natalie Meddings
Ina May's guide to Childbirth - Ina May Gaskin
In your own Time - Sara Wickham
The Fourth Trimester - Kimberley Ann Johnson
Matrescence - Lucy Jones

Podcasts
The Midwives Cauldron - Katie James and Rachel Reed
Birthing Instincts - Dr. Stuart Fischbein and Blyss Young
The Birth-ed podcast - Megan Rossiter

Association for Improvements in Maternity Services
www.aims.org.uk

Rights in childbirth
Birthrights.org.uk

Instagram accounts
@badassmotherbirther

Dr Sara Wickham – Midwife and Researcher
www.sarawickham.com

Dr Rachel Reed - Online Blog
https://midwifethinking.com/

Spinning Babies
www.spinningbabies.com

Optimal Birth
www.optimalbirth.co.uk

Rights in childbirth
Birthrights.org.uk

Breastfeeding support
Laleche.org.uk
https://abm.me.uk/

Doula UK
www.doula.org.uk

Birth Videos