17/03/2025
I wanted to respond to a post I saw in a group last week questioning the usefulness of taking a birth preparation course (and let me tell you, opinions were really divided!).
Did you know that:
🌸 The birth of a child is one of the most significant events in a woman’s life, leaving an incredible emotional, physical, energetic, and spiritual imprint. You’ve probably noticed how women tend to share every detail of their birth stories—whether they experienced them as positive or challenging.
🌸 We spend hours preparing for our wedding, yet sometimes we neglect preparing for the birth of our child! (And no, I’m not talking about the endless shopping for the baby’s nursery.)
🪷 So why take a birth preparation course?
1️⃣ Understand the birth process: Knowing what will happen step by step and understanding the physiology of birth helps you feel more confident and less stressed.
2️⃣ Learn to manage sensations and relax: Various techniques such as breathing, movement, relaxation, and massage can help create a calmer birth experience. In HypnoBirthing, we also use guided imagery to achieve deeper relaxation.
3️⃣ Prepare mentally and emotionally: Birth is unpredictable—you can’t control everything, but you can prepare. Whether it’s a natural birth, an epidural-assisted birth, or even a belly birth (C-section), good preparation allows you to approach each scenario with calm and confidence.
4️⃣ Learn about medical options: Knowing your choices helps you make informed decisions and handle the unexpected with more ease—this means having access to truly useful and practical information beforehand.
5️⃣ Prepare for postpartum: After birth, both your body and mind need care. A good preparation process also helps you anticipate this period and navigate it more smoothly.
🪷 Should the dad/partner attend?
It’s not mandatory, but it’s highly recommended! The partner can play a key role during pregnancy and birth:
• They learn how to support the mother physically and emotionally (we basically teach them to be a mini-doula!). They also discover how to actively participate using tools such as massage, guided breathing, and creating a calm, supportive environment.
• They gain a better understanding of the birth process, making them more reassuring—and more reassured themselves!
• They feel more involved in the baby’s arrival, strengthening their bond with the baby not just after birth, but already during pregnancy.
🪷 Now, let’s be honest… If you do a quick preparation course just to “check the box,” it probably won’t bring you much value.
The alternative? A truly comprehensive and practical birth preparation—one that I promise can change your life (and I speak from experience!).
🪷 Who am I? (If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading!)
My name is Olivia Franco Navon, and I’m a doula based in Israel. I support parents wherever they are through HypnoBirthing. While I work with many moms in Israel, I’ve also helped couples from France, Australia, Canada, the U.S., and even Abu Dhabi via Zoom.
Before discovering HypnoBirthing, which completely changed my life, I worked in a top Israeli mergers & acquisitions law firm. I also earned a PhD in private law in France and was qualified to become a university lecturer.
So, as you can imagine, for me, there’s no debate: a solid birth preparation is essential. The kind that helps you connect with your baby, your partner, your body, and your sensations. The kind that lets you embrace the magical and celebratory aspect of birth, instead of being caught in a panic mode triggered by stress hormones. The kind that allows you to arrive fully prepared, as informed parents, ready to make the best choices for yourselves and to experience a joyful, calm birth—no matter the circumstances.
Feel free to reach out for more info!
Olivia Franco Navon Doula
📞 +972 54 285 9973
📷 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/oliviadoula4you
