Why Mindfulness Matters - for Your Mental Health and Your Baby’s

In my recent podcast with MamasteFit, we had a deep and eye-opening conversation about something that too many childbirth classes miss - mental and emotional prep for birth.

We’ve all heard moms say, “When I got to the hospital, everything went out the window.” They took the class, read the books, learned all about dilation, contractions, and pushing - but when the intensity of labor hit, they froze.

And here’s why: Birth isn’t just a physical event. It’s a mental and emotional experience too.

Most childbirth education still follows a model of information overload - teaching parents what happens during birth without actually preparing them for how to navigate it in real time. And that’s a problem.

When stress takes over, the brain’s decision-making center goes offline. A parent who panics in labor is more likely to accept interventions they didn’t want. A partner who doesn’t know how to emotionally regulate can’t offer the support that actually makes a difference.

Mental preparation isn’t optional—it’s essential.

That’s why the GentleBirth approach (and what we talked about with MamasteFit) is different. We teach cognitive training, mindfulness, and self-regulation strategies so parents don’t just know about birth—they have the tools to stay calm, adaptable, and in control, no matter what happens.

If a birth class isn’t helping parents train their minds for labor, it’s failing them.

If you’re preparing for birth (or teaching others how to), mental prep is the missing piece that changes everything. Check out my conversation with MamasteFit to learn more about how we can start getting birth education right and download the GentleBirth app today.