Why Labour and Birth Experiences Matter to Women: A Deep Dive into One of Life’s Most Transformative Moments

The journey of labour and birth is a profoundly personal and transformative experience for women, shaping not only their entry into motherhood but also their sense of identity, strength, and well-being. Every woman’s experience is unique, yet the significance of this milestone reverberates across physical, emotional, and psychological dimensions. In this post, we explore why labour and birth experiences matter so deeply to women.

1. The First Chapter of Parenthood

Labour and birth mark the transition to motherhood or parenthood, one of life’s most monumental changes. For many women, this is the beginning of a new identity and relationship with their child. How this journey unfolds can have lasting effects on a woman’s perception of herself as a mother. A positive, empowering birth experience can lay a strong foundation for this new chapter, fostering confidence and a deep sense of accomplishment. Conversely, a traumatic or disempowering birth experience can lead to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, or even anxiety as she navigates early motherhood.

2. Physical and Emotional Health

Labour and birth have a profound impact on a woman’s body. While the physical demands are obvious, the emotional experience is equally significant. Women often remember the details of their birth experiences for years, and these memories can influence their mental health. A sense of control, feeling supported, and having a voice in decision-making can contribute to a positive experience. In contrast, feeling helpless or not listened to may leave women with feelings of trauma or dissatisfaction.

Postpartum conditions like anxiety, depression, and PTSD are often linked to birth experiences, which is why it’s critical for women to feel empowered, respected, and cared for during this vulnerable time. Having a supportive birth environment and care team can drastically impact both immediate and long-term emotional well-being. I have so many countless experiences as a midwife, listening to women and birthing parents sit in their living rooms, trying to make sense of what happened. Many women say things like "I don't know why I feel like this, I just don't feel like myself."

3. The Role of Autonomy and Informed Choices

For many women, birth is a powerful assertion of autonomy. The ability to make informed decisions about their care, pain management, and birthing environment empowers women to actively participate in their birth journey. Whether choosing a home birth, a water birth, or an epidural, having those decisions respected validates their role as the expert of their own bodies.

When women feel their preferences are respected, they are more likely to have a positive view of their birth experience, regardless of how closely the actual event aligns with their birth plan. Conversely, interventions or procedures performed without full consent can have the opposite effect, causing feelings of violation or loss of control.

4. Cultural and Personal Expectations

Birth is not just a medical event; it’s a deeply cultural and personal experience. For centuries, women have gathered stories about childbirth, passing down expectations, fears, and hopes through generations. These narratives often shape how a woman envisions her own labour and birth experience. Whether from family stories, media portrayals, or societal expectations, these influences play a role in shaping a woman’s perception of what “should” happen during labour.

When the reality of birth aligns with a woman’s expectations, it can feel like the culmination of a long-awaited moment. On the other hand, when there is a significant mismatch between expectations and experience, it can lead to disappointment or confusion.

5. Impact on the Bond with Baby

The birth experience can play a pivotal role in the early bond between a mother and her newborn. Immediate skin-to-skin contact, as you are passionate about, facilitates bonding and regulates the baby’s body temperature, breathing, and heart rate. For mothers, it can initiate breastfeeding and stimulate the release of oxytocin, the "love hormone," which fosters an emotional connection with the baby.

When labour and birth go smoothly, the immediate moments after birth can be deeply fulfilling, allowing the mother to be fully present for the first moments with her child. However, when birth involves unexpected complications or interventions, this crucial bonding period can be disrupted, which may affect how a mother feels about the early stages of her motherhood journey.

Why is the bond with the baby so important? It is quite literally the foundation upon which the child's health develops. The bond is what sets the path for that child in so many ways. Healthcare providers, partners, and family members really need to understand how incredibly important it is for us to help new mothers and birthing parents to be with, hold, touch and feel their babies. It is equally important for the baby to form that attachment with their mother.

6. Empowerment Through Preparation and Support

One of the most significant factors that contribute to positive birth experiences is the preparation and support women receive. Prenatal education, birth plans, and a trusted birth team can help women feel ready for the challenges of labour. When women feel informed and supported by their partners, families, doulas, or medical professionals, they are more likely to approach labour with confidence.

Support during labour—whether through compassionate care, trusted partners, or empowering tools like your innovative birthing gown—plays an immense role in helping women feel in control and cared for during birth.

Labour and birth experiences are foundational to a woman’s journey into motherhood. The way a woman experiences birth shapes her self-perception, emotional health, and relationship with her child. With the right support, preparation, and respect for her choices, women can experience labour and birth as empowering, transformative events. For these reasons and more, the labour and birth experience deserves the highest consideration, care, and respect from healthcare professionals, family members, and society at large.

Your birth story is your own—it matters because you matter.