5 Simple Tips for a “Natural” Labor & Delivery

Are you hoping to have a “natural” delivery at the hospital. Today we’re going to talk about what your plans for “natural” mean (as that means something different for everyone) — and 5 SIMPLE (think: easy — this isn’t standing on your head for hours a day) tricks to make it happen for you!

While we’re here, if you’re in your 3rd trimester, be sure to grab my checklist just for you:

What does “Natural” Mean to You?

I think we each know what “natural” means for US — but as a provider, it’s really hard to know what it means. I think it’s really important to pinpoint what it might mean for you. Most people think it means one of these:

• No medical pain management
• No induction of labor
• Neither of those things

So, when you’re talking with your provider make sure that you define what it really means for YOU.

I also think it’s OK to be like “I’d like to avoid those things if possible — but I will manage each step as it comes”. Honestly, I think that is the BEST way to manage labor — so if that’s you, high five! 🙏

Prepare Your Cervix

We tend to think a lot of things are out of our control in the birth sphere, but studies have proven that there are a few things you can do to help your cervix soften to prepare it for labor.

I have a whole post on 4 things you can do to prepare your cervix for labor << and you really need to read that post to know what/if it’s right for you — but in case you’re wondering what they even are they are:

• Sex
• Primrose Oil
• Dates
• Pumping

Keep in mind that those things are NOT (I repeat NOT) going to PUT you into labor, but the studies have shown they can prepare your cervix, and make it softer as you head into your due date.

This can possibly make labor easier and less-likely to have a failed induction if you need one.

So often I see people who think a “natural” labor will just happen — but it does require some prep on your side. These aren’t HARD things to do, but they are things I think you should consider.

Use a Midwife

Ok, this doesn’t work for everyone — but using a midwife can really help. If you’re not using a midwife, you might want to consider a doula (although the price of a doula is tough for most families).

Studies have shown that midwives are more likely to have less interventions (those tend to veer away from “medical”) than OBGYN’s.

If you have a low-risk pregnancy, and you’re before 30 weeks you may want to consider looking around to see if there are Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) options in your local area.

This may mean you have to change hospitals and it may be a bit of rig-a-ma-roll, so this tip might not be for everyone, but I am a huge fan of Certified Nurse Midwives and I think they provide tip quality care, while also having the safety of an OBGYN should you need an increased level of care.

There are a few different types of midwives — you’ll want to research a bit about which one is right for you. I prefer Certified Nurse midwives because they have a standard level of care and can deliver in the hospital. However, pick which care works best for you.

Start Practicing Early

Again, a lot of people think they have a “high pain tolerance” and will just be able to manage the pain at the hospital — and I don’t think this option tends to get you very far.

I recommend start practicing your breathing early on. And yes, I’m talking much of your 3rd trimester. It can have a lot of benefits:

• Deep breathing can help make us more mindful and possibly less worried
• May decrease your blood pressure and stress level
• Gives you a chance to check in with your body
• Gets you practiced for when labor comes.

This isn’t to say that if you’re 35+ weeks, all is lost — start now!

While there is a lot of ways to manage pain — breathing is one of my favorites for labor because it also helps your pelvic floor to relax which allows baby to descend.

If you’re tense, your pelvic floor will also be tense, which won’t do you any favors.

And if you’re thinking — Hilary — I have on idea what these even are. There is a bonus video in here that goes through a ton of natural pain management, including breathing that is SO helpful!

Know About 3rd Trimester Testing

This is the one that trips up a LOT of people.

The reality is that we are getting pregnant older, and possibly less healthy than we have before.

Meaning, we start to have bigger issues as we head later into our third trimester, and for many people that means some third trimester testing.

Usually:

• NST
• BPP or Ultrasound testing
• Preeclampsia labs

Most often, these come back normal.

Sometimes they come back very black and white as to you need to be induced ASAP because there is something serious going on.

And, then there’s the grey zone…. often:

• Baby looks big
• Your blood pressures are high, but labs are sort of borderline
• Baby’s BPP wasn’t great, but also wasn’t often

At that point, you have choices. Often people feel “pressured” into getting an induction. BUT if you’d like to hold off a bit, maybe prepare that cervix a bit more for a few more days you often have that choice.

It’s also REALLY important to know what type of an induction you’re headed in for.

If your cervix is already quite open, and soften you may have a pretty quick one. But, more often your cervix is hard and closed and you are looking at a pretty long medicalized labor.

That isn’t to say that sometimes that medical labor isn’t VERY necessary. Having a baby that is too large for your pelvis, or blood pressures that are too high you might have a seizure aren’t things to mess around with.

But, it’s a choice.

Two thoughts with this one:

1️⃣ Understand what your induction will likely look like — I have an induction question checklist that is super helpful for this:

2️⃣ Talk with your provider about your priorities, but also how to stay safe. Maybe you can hold off for a bit, get some testing again in a few days and then see where you’re at.

It’s just REALLY important to understand third trimester testing, what the results mean and how they could impact the rest of your pregnancy. Most birth classes skip over this section, but I love that this one really dives into it and gets you prepared for something else people ignore (to their detriment, I think).

Get Prepared

It’s really easy to think that you just need to learn that breathing we talked about earlier to prepare for your birth.

However, there is SO much to get prepared for birth. The thing is, you’re a strong capable woman who is used to taking control of things. That’s very different than how your mom gave birth. She was OK giving control over to her provider >> but women in 2025 don’t want that. They want more from their birth.

Which means you’ve gotta PUT more into your birth — and not just watch some social media videos, or read some articles (even high-quality ones like this one). You really need a class from a professional that walks you through 3rd trimester, labor, birth & postpartum life.

I recommend one that is:

• Taught by a professional (people prefer ones taught by labor nurses because we really know).
• Includes interventions like epidurals, inductions, cesareans and more — because all the preparation in the world can’t always stop stuff from happening, and getting prepared is smart.
• Not too expensive >> class prices have gotten out of control!

I love The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. I know it ticks all the boxes you’ll need to prepare you for your upcoming birth — so you can be a strong, confident, prepared patient. You’ve got this (when you get some help!)

It really is crazy that just putting in a few hours can really pay-off a LOT for birth, and the crazier thing is how few people actually do it.

What type of birth are YOU hoping for, and how are you preparing for it? Tell us in the comments.

And just in case you missed it, grab that third trimester checklist right here: