It’s completely normal to feel some fear as you prepare for birth. In fact, fear is one of the most common emotions expectant mothers and birth partners experience – especially when we’re not sure what to expect or haven’t been supported with the right tools.
At Power Birthing, we believe that birth is not something to fear – it’s something to prepare for. And with the right knowledge, mindset, and support, fear can be transformed into trust, confidence, and empowerment.
In this post, we’ll walk through four of the most common fears in childbirth:
• The fear of losing control
• The fear of pain
• The fear of medical interventions
• The fear of complications
We’ll explore why they show up, and more importantly – what you can do to move through them.
Fear #1: Losing Control During Birth
Why it happens:
The fear of losing control often stems from the unknown. Many women worry about how they’ll respond to labour, whether they’ll cope with the pain, or what might happen if things don’t go to plan. These thoughts are completely valid – but when fear takes over, it can lead to tension in the body, which may actually make labour more intense, painful or prolonged.
What it feels like:
• Racing thoughts or panic
• Feeling “out of body” or disconnected
• Difficulty focusing or surrendering to the process
What you can do:
1. Practice staying present
Focus on one contraction at a time. Labour unfolds moment by moment, and anchoring into the present helps you feel grounded.
2. Use calming tools
Music, aromatherapy, guided relaxation, and birth mantras can create a sense of control over your environment.
3. Create a flexible birth plan
Knowing your preferences and options helps you feel prepared, even if things shift. And let’s face it, we never know how the birth of our baby will unfold.
4. Reframe the experience
Birth isn’t something happening to you – it’s something your body is doing for and with you. That mindset shift can be powerful.
5. Choose supportive people
Your birth partner or doula can play a huge role in helping you feel safe, centered, and empowered.
**Inside the Power Birthing app, you’ll find breathing techniques, grounding visualisations, and mindset tools specifically designed to help you stay calm and connected during birth.
Fear #2: Pain in Labor
Why it happens:
We’re often taught that pain in birth is something to be feared or avoided. But pain in childbirth is not the same as injury or illness – it has a purpose. Still, without preparation, it can feel overwhelming.
What it feels like:
• Fear of how painful labour will be
• Anxiety about how long it will last
• Doubts about your ability to cope
What you can do:
1. Understand the pain-fear-tension cycle
Fear causes tension in the body, which increases pain. Reducing fear can actually make labour feel more manageable.
2. Learn to work with contractions
Movement, breathwork, sound, and positioning are powerful tools that help you ride the waves of labour rather than fight them.
3. Build mental strength
When you trust your body and know what’s happening physiologically, you feel more in control.
4. Use comfort techniques
Touch, massage, water immersion, birth balls, music, and affirmations all help calm the nervous system and reduce perceived pain.
**The Power Birthing app offers a complete library of tools to help you manage pain naturally – from deep breathing and visualisations to hands-on techniques for birth partners.
Fear #3: Needing Medical Interventions
Why it happens:
The fear of needing an intervention – like an epidural, induction, or caesarean – is common. It often comes from a worry that you won’t have a choice, or that something will go “wrong.” This fear can feel heavy, especially if you’ve heard difficult birth stories or don’t feel fully informed about your rights and options.
What it feels like:
• Anxiety about losing your preferred birth plan
• Feeling out of control in a medical setting
• Worry that you’ll be pressured into something you don’t want
What you can do:
1. Get informed
Learn about common interventions: what they are, when they’re recommended, and what alternatives might be available.
2. Ask questions
If something is suggested during labour, it’s okay to ask: Is this an emergency? What are my options? Can I have a moment to decide?
3. Choose respectful care
Choose providers and birth settings that value your input and respect your preferences.
4. Know your values
Even if things change, knowing what matters most to you helps guide decision-making under pressure.
5. Create a birth plan that include “What if” scenarios
Since we never know how baby intent to arrive on this Earth, it’s worth considering all scenarios and plan for possible changes.
**Power Birthing includes a Birth Plan section with clear, compassionate explanations of common interventions – so you can feel confident making decisions that align with your birth values.
Fear #4: Complications During Birth
Why it happens:
Fear of complications is deeply rooted in the “what if” thoughts that often come with pregnancy. You might wonder: What if something goes wrong? What if my baby is in distress? What if I can’t do this? These fears are completely natural – especially if you’ve heard difficult stories or have experienced complications in the past.
The unknown can be scary. And while birth is a natural process, it’s also unpredictable. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.
What it feels like:
• Constant “what if” worry or anxiety
• Fear of emergencies or worst-case scenarios
• Distrust in your body or the process of birth
What you can do:
1. Balance knowledge with mindset
Educate yourself about common complications and how they’re usually handled – but balance that with stories of healthy, empowering births. Both are true. The goal is to feel informed, not overwhelmed.
2. Focus on what’s going right
Most births happen without serious complications. Focus your energy on supporting your body, not anticipating problems.
3. Practice mental flexibility
While you can’t plan every moment of birth, you can prepare for how you’ll respond – with calm, trust, and informed decision making.
4. Build trust in your care team
Choose providers who respect your wishes and communicate clearly. Feeling safe and heard is key to reducing fear. Make sure your birth partner is informed about your wishes and is able to speak up for you if you find you can’t.
5. Use grounding tools to stay present
When your mind spirals into fear, bring it back to the now: I am safe. My baby is safe. My body knows what to do. Again, use your birth partner to help ground you and repeat these mantras with you.
**Power Birthing helps you manage fears around complications by combining education with calming tools, empowering you to face the unknown with courage and clarity.
Turning Fear into Power
The truth is fear is not the enemy – it’s a signal that you care deeply about your experience. And when you’re equipped with knowledge, tools, and support, fear will no longer run the show.
Instead of trying to control every outcome, you can focus on what’s within your power:
• Your mindset
• Your preparation
• Your support system
• Your ability to respond with calm confidence
And that’s exactly what Power Birthing is here for.
Let me introduce you to: Power Birthing: Your Birth Partner in Your Pocket
Whether you’re in your first trimester or getting close to your due date, the Power Birthing app and online course offer everything you need to feel prepared – mentally, emotionally, and practically.
• Knowledge-based tools and strategies
• The super effective Power breathing technique
• Guided relaxation
• How to survive contractions and the changes of labour.
• Mindset shifts and specific tools and breathing for every stage of labour
• How to create your own birth plan
• Specific partner support module
Start with our FREE “Pregnancy Health” resource and explore the full Power Birthing course when you’re ready to go deeper into birth preparation. All conveniently located within the Empowered Living App.
