As birth support professionals, we know the tremendous impact that physical preparation can have on the birthing process. We encourage clients to prepare their bodies through alignment work, often referring them to chiropractors or craniosacral therapists for physical alignment and balance. We also share Spinning Babies® techniques to promote optimal fetal positioning—powerful tools that can make labor more efficient and often increase the likelihood of a vaginal birth.
These physiological strategies are invaluable. In fact, I’ve personally gained the trust of medical staff in high-stakes moments—such as performing a forward-leaning inversion for a client with an epidural—that directly contributed to a successful vaginal delivery.
And yet, after 25 years of supporting and educating countless expectant individuals, I’ve learned something vital: the body and the baby are only part of the picture. The third pillar is mindset—a critical, yet often overlooked, element of preparation for the profound transformation of the perinatal journey.
As birth support professionals, we often speak about empowering clients, but what does that mean? At the heart of birth empowerment is one crucial quality: agency — having the tools, voice, and internal permission to take the lead in your journey. It’s knowing you have the power to shape your perinatal experiences — and using it.
Supporting clients in developing their sense of agency as a Perinatal Coach doesn’t just serve them — it also transforms your professional experience. Working with clients who have a strong sense of agency can be one of the most rewarding and sustainable aspects of birth work. Let’s explore your wins.
Birth support professionals have mastered somatic work, as they naturally attune to the body’s wisdom when supporting expectant individuals and new parents. Through hands-on comfort measures like massage and acupressure, breath awareness, guided movement, and voice activation, I’ve helped my doula clients navigate the physical and emotional sensations of the perinatal journey. Whether using positioning, grounding exercises, or mindful touch, birth professionals integrate somatic practices into their care, fostering safety, trust, and empowerment.
So, it’s no surprise that many hesitate when I encourage them to shift from long hours of hands-on support to perinatal coaching conversations. It can feel revolutionary—and even intimidating—to imagine stepping away from the familiar, deeply embodied skills they’ve honed. Yet, this shift doesn’t mean abandoning somatic wisdom; instead, it’s about transforming how we use it, allowing for a deeper impact while reducing professional fatigue and burnout.
