From Pregnancy to Parenthood: A Holistic Approach to Birth and Beyond
I recently read a statement that struck a deep chord: birth is “the world’s best kept secret to unlocking the power and wisdom of women” (1).
How different would it be if we celebrated each pregnant woman as the powerful creative force she is? If we honoured birth as an initiation—a rite of passage—and a time of great power?
Instead, many of us view birth as something separate from “normal” life, something we do to have the baby we desire—or worse, as something that happens to us, something we must endure.
But what if we began to see birth and parenting not just as milestones to manage well, but as sacred opportunities for personal and spiritual growth? What if we understood them as rich, multi-layered experiences with the potential for deep transformation and healing? A new life is entering this world—and because of that, everything and everyone is changing.
Pregnancy: A Time of Growth, Letting Go, and Renewal
There is work to be done.
Pregnancy is the perfect time to journey inward, connect with the wisdom already within you, and begin to let go of what no longer serves. It is also a time of profound biological change. Neuroscience shows us that pregnancy is a “window of neuroplasticity” (2), meaning it’s an ideal time to shift long-held patterns and create new ones—ones that are aligned with the kind of life and family you wish to build.
So how do we best prepare to be fully present, calm, and wise on this journey?
Pam England, author of Birthing from Within, describes three levels of knowing that support this process: Modern, Intuitive, and Personal Knowledge (3).
Modern Knowledge
Understanding the physiological processes of pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding gives women and their partners confidence in their ability to make good decisions. This kind of knowledge is especially important when birthing within modern medical systems. It empowers you to make informed decisions and helps reduce unnecessary fears, contributing to a sense of overall well-being.
Intuitive Knowledge
That said, information alone isn’t always enough—especially when decisions aren't straightforward, and pros and cons don’t stack up. Learning to trust your intuitive sense can be a powerful guide. A woman who is attuned to her inner voice is often better able to act swiftly and wisely in crucial moments. During labour, intuition can be your best ally in keeping yourself and your baby safe
Personal Knowledge
Knowing yourself —your needs, values, patterns, and triggers—gives you the foundation to make aligned choices. Knowing what it is you need to stand in your power and feel supported is tremendously reassuring. Self-awareness helps you spot unhelpful reactions before they override logic or intuition. Awareness is the first step toward change, and developing personal insight can be life-changing—not just for birth, but for parenting and beyond.
Practical Skills to Support the Journey
Beyond these three types of knowing, it’s essential to develop practical skills that help regulate your nervous system and support emotional resilience. These include mindfulness, conscious breathing, and gentle movement—practices rooted in ancient wisdom and now backed by modern neuroscience.
These are not quick fixes. They take time and consistency to integrate—but once embodied, they can offer profound support through birth and the many changes that follow.
Introducing S.A.C.R.E.D.—A 6-Step Holistic Birth Preparation
Having personally experienced the transformative power of these practices—and witnessed their effects in hundreds of students—I’ve created a holistic 6-step birth program called S.A.C.R.E.D.
This program provides a flexible yet structured framework, tailored to your unique needs, hopes, and challenges. With an experienced facilitator at your side, you’ll gain tools to navigate your journey from pregnancy to parenthood with more clarity and confidence. The process includes:
Identifying and addressing limiting beliefs or emotional blocks
Integrating mindfulness and self-regulation techniques into everyday life
Strengthening your intuitive and personal wisdom
Preparing for parenting with intention and presence
What makes S.A.C.R.E.D. special is how it supports each woman’s unique journey through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
Pregnancy, birth, and parenting shift not only our bodies but our sense of identity. When we combine birth preparation with self-development, we open the door to a richer and more conscious experience of motherhood.
This is a precious window of time—don’t rush through it. Pause. Listen inward. Reconnect with who you are beneath all the roles and responsibilities.
Now is the right time.
*If you want to learn more about S.A.C.R.E.D., please click here, and book a FREE Value Discovery phone call with me, Uschi.
(1) Gillet, T. - I can’t find the exact blog post but check out Tracey’s work she is awesome: https://raisedgood.com/blog/
(2) McGonigal, K. (2018). Choose to change [audio book]. https://www.soundstrue.com/products/choose-to-change
(3) England, P. (2017). Ancient Map of Modern Birth. Albuquerque, New Mexico: Seven Gates Media.