So at the start of these 40 days I said I’d share a little about our birth plans; and so this is it .

There isn’t a huge amount to it really, lots of prep work has been internal work, my own healing and working through fears and expectations, and coming to a space of real radical acceptance that what will be, will be. My tattoo reminding me of life’s motto as usual!

I have a loose plan to have another water birth at home, and this time have a cord tie, and plan to have a cord burning ritual after. That said, I have 3 kids already so I’m open to the plan changing and using the tie and cutting it instead. We will be encapsulating part of the placenta, planting part and my oldest has requested placenta cake, so I’m going to see what we can make there! He is very excited and wants to be involved, I think in part because his placenta wasn’t kept, so this will be healing for both of us.

Outside of that, I if the universe allows am really really hoping that I will be able to video/photograph some of my own labour, because last time we hired an incredible birth photographer and this time I have done a birth photography workshop (with the absolute goal of, once I am ready to take on clients) attending and photographing births for families myself. I am beyond excited by this!

We do have a transfer plan, and an emergency plan, something I talk about in my Womb To Arms course because though we want the ideal plan, it’s necessary to think about what could happen too. I’m packing a baby essentials / postpartum bag (which doesn’t have any baby clothes yet!) and I’m basically winging the rest.

Not the fancy in-depth plan most people have, but I’ve really come to a space where I believe that a majority of the prep I can do is internal. I am not using my epi-no which I have for my 2 previous births, I am not colostrum harvesting, I am not trying to find any reason to rush. I am fully trusting this baby and their timing; and having not had contact with midwives since my 22 week scan, I am leaning into my own wisdom and being guided by those who have birthed before me.

I plan to contact the team when we move but I’m not in any rush, baby and I are comfortable and I am confident – and if I get worried or need to see someone, I will; but right now, the plan is for the most normal, boring, magical, seamless birth experience possible. Once we get up to our new home and set things up, then I might have a different approach.

That said… this isn’t to pretend like everything has been sunshine and roses and easy…

I have also had days where I want to know exactly how things will pan out, and the lack of control has had me crashing. The boxes instead of a birth space takes a toll and the braxton hicks are a really new experience to me. Baby and I regularly chat about just hanging in until we get to Scotland, though honestly I hope we go closer to 42 so I have more time to prep food and settle.

Which reminds me, since I’m sharing plans today – I am loosely planning birth but intensely planning postpartum (hence the desire for a few weeks to settle) with food, some herbs, drinks, and a rest period. I am determined to honour the sacred postpartum space more than ever; and once we get there, I will be looking for a small village to lean on. We have some incredible connections and wonderful people already, but until I’m there, it’s all in the air. I haven’t really approached anyone about the postpartum space yet. I won’t be hosting anyone for a few weeks, and I will be leaning on H – while also recognising this is a transition for him too – and protecting my energy as much as possible.

In Ayurvedic medicine, there is a saying “42 days for 42 years” suggesting that the first 42 days post birth will impact more than the next 4 decades of life. I didn’t do any of this with my previous babies… but this time, I know more, and I am absolutely going to do differently.

Thanks for reading; ask questions, comment, find me on IG, lets connect!

With love, Rohana x