---
title: Cultivating Confidence During Pregnancy
date: 2022-07-19T18:12:52-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-cultivating-confidence-during-pregnancy"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Cultivating Confidence During Pregnancy

MB shares how she prepared herself for pregnancy and birth. The childbirth classes made pregnancy scary, but the books she read gave her more confidence and alleviated some anxiety around labor. She ends with advice she would give those preparing for childbirth.

## Transcript

**OBOS Today:** Before your first pregnancy and childbirth, what did you do to kind of, like, prepare yourself or to learn information?

**MB:** You know, I took, like, the childbirth classes at the hospital, and I think it was a lot scarier than it needed to be because it was like—there was like a lot of emphasis on, like, "Oh, you're going to be in excruciating pain, and most of you are going to get an epidural right away," and it sort of had this— and it went through a lot of, like, "This is what Pitocin is, and this is how it makes— it forces your body to have contractions," and so there was almost, like, a lot of mechanical preparation and then with my second and third pregnancy, I read a lot more of the, like—

I think one of the books is like *Spiritual Midwifery*, and then there's another one that's like—I forget what the names of them are.

But those books gave me a lot more confidence about labor and delivery with the idea that, like, your body knows what it’s doing, it’s supposed to be able to do this. And nature wouldn't design something, like if the fate of humans rests on like reproduction, it wouldn't make something so painful that people didn't want to do it.

Or at least like, you know, manage the pain of it or whatever. And so I really liked reading about that, and reading about like the positive birth stories. And I think that gave me not only, like, a lot more confidence, but also made me look forward to the labor and delivery a lot more instead of being, like, nervous about it. And so my second and third labor and delivery were like really easy and, you know, and this sounds crazy but like actually I enjoyed, you know, the process. I think it's when you, when you feel like confident and feel, um, like proud of what your body can do, I think it really changes the whole experience of it.

**OBOS Today:** Yeah, that's awesome, and that's awesome that those books could kind of reframe it for you.

So we're kind of getting towards the end of our 20 minutes and I was wondering, I guess if you had to give, like, one piece of advice to people who have, like, never gone through pregnancy or childbirth before who are going to, like what would it be?

**MB:** My piece of advice, for people who are going through childbirth and haven't done it before, is to seek out positive birth stories and books that are going to help cultivate a level of confidence and pride in the process rather than, than only learning about the fear-based component of it. I think if the first impressions about childbirth are positive, with the kinds of people who tell you, you know, positive stories and things like that, it can really make a big difference. And it certainly did for me, and I think it reinforces that, you know, women have been doing this for a long, long time, and doing it pretty well and, you know, and I think having that positive outset is really important.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ pregnancy & birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/pregnancy-birth)
- [birth](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/birth)

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##### More to Explore

[ResourcesRead

## A Personal Story on the Dangers of Childbirth

A candid personal story about one woman’s experiences with ectopic pregnancy and pulmonary embolism, including information on who is at the greatest risk.

![Pregnancy is not supposed to kill us - Yet I almost died TWICE](data:image/png;base64,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)

A candid personal story about one woman’s experiences with ectopic pregnancy and pulmonary embolism, including information on who is at the greatest risk.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-personal-story-on-the-dangers-of-childbirth)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Overcoming Challenges During Pregnancy

MB discusses the experience of her last pregnancy during the COVID pandemic and why she wanted to avoid having a C-section.

![My Story- Overcoming Challenges During Pregnancy](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB discusses the experience of her last pregnancy during the COVID pandemic and why she wanted to avoid having a C-section.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-overcoming-challenges-during-pregnancy)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Deciding Where to Give Birth

MB explains how she decided to give birth in a hospital.

![My Story- Deciding Where to Give Birth](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB explains how she decided to give birth in a hospital.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-deciding-where-to-give-birth)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Managing My Pregnancy While Dealing With Endometriosis and Asthma

CB shares her experience of pregnancy and birth while managing stage four endometriosis and asthma.

![Carlisa](data:image/png;base64,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)

CB shares her experience of pregnancy and birth while managing stage four endometriosis and asthma.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-managing-my-pregnancy-while-dealing-with-endometriosis-and-asthma)

[ResourcesRead

## Choices in Childbirth

A collection of videos, articles, and downloadable worksheets to help pregnant people make pregnancy, birthing, and post-birth choices that are right for them.

![Choices in Childbirth scaled jpeg](data:image/png;base64,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)

A collection of videos, articles, and downloadable worksheets to help pregnant people make pregnancy, birthing, and post-birth choices that are right for them.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/choices-in-childbirth)

[ResourcesRead

## Choosing a Maternity Care Provider

This Childbirth Connection resource walks you through questions to consider when deciding on a birthing care provider.

![Baby Hand with Adult](data:image/png;base64,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)

This Childbirth Connection resource walks you through questions to consider when deciding on a birthing care provider.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/choosing-a-maternity-care-provider-2)

[ResourcesRead

## Choosing a Place of Birth

This resource helps you decide among your options for giving birth at a hopsital, home, or birth center, depending on your geographical location.

![janko-ferlic-T5Q78o0xTdw-1536x960](data:image/png;base64,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)

This resource helps you decide among your options for giving birth at a hopsital, home, or birth center, depending on your geographical location.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/choosing-a-place-of-birth)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Claiming Back My Sexuality and Body

L discusses how she reclaimed a sense of confident power in her own body and her sexuality, from contraceptive choices to the decision to have a natural birth with no medication.

![Mom and newborn baby skin to the skin after birth](data:image/png;base64,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)

L discusses how she reclaimed a sense of confident power in her own body and her sexuality, from contraceptive choices to the decision to have a natural birth with no medication.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/claiming-back-my-body)