The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast
Everything a pregnant woman and her partner need to know to support them in preparation for labour, birth, and the early days with a new baby. This podcast gives both you and your partner the confidence and knowledge about the role they play throughout your birth, so they don't undermine or ruin the birth for you. Throughout these episodes, my guests and I will share with you our experience of being a birth keeper and advocate for women across the globe. This podcast is inclusive and invites guests from all backgrounds to enable you to hear a wide range of experiences.
The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast
Episode 179 - The Truth About Breathing and Relaxation for Birth
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In this episode, I take a deeper look at breathing and relaxation in preparation for labour — going beyond the simple advice to “just breathe” or “try to relax.” These are not magic fixes, but skills that reflect how your nervous system responds to stress, intensity, and the sensations of labour.
I talk about how the modern world keeps our bodies in a constant state of alert. Our bodies are always scanning for threat, and for many of us, a slight state of tension has become normal. This affects how we experience birth, because labour is a deeply mammalian process that relies on the body feeling safe, supported, and able to drop into an instinctive state.
I explain the difference between physiological pain, which is expected and manageable, and pathological pain, which indicates that something in the body or the baby’s position is creating extra intensity. The baby is navigating your body’s infrastructure — the uterus, musculoskeletal system, fascia, emotional state, and even placental position — and sometimes that can lead to sensations that cannot be handled by breathing alone. I also explore how the mind interacts with the body during labour.
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand that breathing and relaxation are part of a bigger picture — a skill set that develops over time, incorporating your body, mind, and nervous system — giving you confidence and practical tools to navigate labour more effectively.
Purchase my 1 hour track Breathe
Episode 9 - Breathing and Relaxation Skills for labour
Episode 107 - More Breathing and Relaxation Skills for labour
Episode 121 - FREE Somatic Guided Relaxation for your nervous system
Episode 141 - Simple strategies for a calm and empowered labour
If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford
If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-
Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove
The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO
Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF
You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk
Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner
Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford
Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable fo...