A few months ago, I was chatting with a pregnant friend, when she confessed that she couldn’t bring herself to watch birth videos because they freaked her out.
So in today’s video, I share an incredible scientific discovery that shows exactly why I think it’s vital that mothers-to-be watch birth videos as they prepare for labour.
Watch the video now:
In the video you’ll discover…
*How watching someone do an activity actually helps you perform the same task and
*How to get the most value out of watching birth videos
6 Recommended Birth Videos
As promised, here is my list of recommended birth videos.
I’ll share each video with an explanation of why the video is worth watching.
Then pick and choose from the list as you please 🙂
#1 Descent Down The Birth Canal (Animation)
I had read about baby rotating during birth, but it wasn’t until I saw this short 1 minute animation that I realised just how much baby rotates to navigate the pelvis!
This was a really powerful video because it really solidified a couple of things for me…
- It reminded me in a very practical way why it was important to have an active birth (and why I didn’t want an epidural). How on earth is baby supposed to navigate that pelvis if I can’t move my hips around in response to baby’s movements?
- It also solidified the thought that baby is an active partner in the birth. They are not simply a passenger, they are not simply being evacuated by our body. They have to twist and turn and work to get out!
And finally, it helped me explain the birth to my baby. In The Face of Birth documentary, they interviewed two Traditional Midwives who, in 50 years of practice, had never had a baby present breech. They explained that they tell baby how to get out, and that it’s safe to come out.
So I took this approach with my baby. I regularly explained where her head needed to be (down!) and that it was safe to come out, and we were excited to meet her! This animation helped me explain that she would have to help me out, and turn to make her way out 🙂
#2 Cesarean Birth of Oliver Lanning
After losing two babies, at 10 and 20 weeks gestation, Missy & Bryan Lanning finally welcomed a little baby boy into the world!
I followed Missy’s pregnancy journey throughout my own pregnancy, so I was already very emotionally invested in her journey!
I love this video because I love seeing cesareans used how they were originally intended, to save babies lives.
Lesson: The reality is, that even with the best planning and preparations, some women won’t get the natural birth they’re hoping for. In Missy’s case, she had an undiagnosed septum in her uterus – a wall of tissue separating her uterus into two sections. Amazingly, baby was on one side of the wall, and the placenta was on the other! Missy trusted her gut and insisted that baby wasn’t okay, and she saved his life.
I enjoyed watching these kinds of births during my pregnancy because I felt like it grounded me. It reminded me that sometimes things don’t go to plan, and that’s okay.
So I planned and prepared for a natural birth, and I got as informed as I could to avoid unnecessary interventions, but ultimately I was prepared to let the doctors save my baby’s life if it were necessary.
#3 Sloan’s Home Water Birth
This is a beautiful home water birth, filmed by a professional videographer.
I love seeing a woman totally absorbed by the birthing process, and you can see the internal focus of this mama while she labours.
I was always encouraged by births like this – where mum isn’t hysterical or looking to escape the pain; just going with it and letting your body do what it needs to do!
This was also the only video I saw with cord burning and a herbal bath, so that was interesting.
#4 Woman Sings Psalm 23 During Contractions
Talk about watching a range of experiences! I’m amazed by this footage, simply because I couldn’t have sung during my own labour.
I love seeing how women incorporate scriptures into labour. I regularly asked my husband to pray for me during my labour.
And I think that next time around, I’ll be creating a playlist of scripture based music to meditate on during early labour. Why?
Because I took a very active approach to my labour, from very early on. And while it was a fantastic experience, I definitely tired myself out after 21 hours of movement (and no sleep!)
So I’ve been thinking of ways that I can rest and relax during early labour the next time around.
#5 Narrated HypnoBabies Birth
I watched a lot of hypno birthing videos. They truly fascinate me! But I particularly appreciate this one because it is narrated. This gave me a more accurate idea of what was actually happening and what skills they were using.
I appreciated hearing this mum vocalising because many of the hypno birth mums are almost silent. (Also because I know the incredible amount of pain-relief vocalising provided for me!)
Even though hypno births were interesting to watch, it didn’t resonate with me while I was pregnant. I knew I wanted a loud, active birth.

However, there were many aspects of my labour that I definitely relate to these experiences.
I approached labour with the mindset that it could be a wonderful, empowering, and peaceful experience. And even though I was loud, I would still say my labour was beautiful and peaceful.
There was also one point, while labouring through transition, that I thought to myself, “this isn’t that bad, I can totally do this again”.
Yes, it was painful. But I saw a purpose in it. I refused to let it overwhelm me and I focused all my energies on following my body’s lead and working with it, not against it.
So, I recommend watching some hypo births and seeing what you think.
If it’s something you’re interested in, I found through my research that the HypnoBabies program is recommended over the HypnoBirth program.
According to mums who have used the programs, HypnoBabies is much more practical, and provides extra tools for a range of situations.
#6 My Home Water Birth
https://youtu.be/g1lN8GXr8j8
Finally, I recommend you watch my own home water birth video.
It was an incredible experience, and you can read my complete birth story here: www.lizziesophia.com/my-homebirth
In my video, you’ll notice that I was very active. I was also very vocal!
I regularly changed positions and locations. And because of posterior back-ache labour, my birth team was very hands on.
I hope you find these videos informative and encouraging.
Now It’s Your Turn!
Which birth videos have you watched that encouraged you?
Let me know by leaving a comment with the video link, and telling me specifically what you loved about it!
Happy watching!
Lizzie
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