How to Write a Birth Story: Birth Stories to Empower You

How to Write a Birth Story

Our PregActive community is all about supporting one another. Today I want to share some tips on how to write a birth story. We love to hear birth stories from our mamas and the birth experience they had. A birth story can provide invaluable insight for mamas who are approaching childbirth. The more you learn the less you will fear about childbirth!

What is a Birth Story

A birth story is where you as a mama can share your story of your baby’s labor and birth. It is a way to share with other mamas how you process your birth and your birth experience. Your birth story will be different to other mamas. If you have a story to share please send us an email

Benefits of Writing a Birth Story

1. You can reflect on your feelings and emotions.

2. You can help other mamas in need of information.

3. Preserve the special moments you may forget.

4. Open up about your healing around any birth trauma.

5. Acknowledge how amazing you are and what you went through in pregnancy.

6. Remind yourself of your courage, strength and power.

7. Learn from your birth experience and apply it to your next birth

Writing a Birth Story has Benefits

When you write your birth story you are creating memories that may give your child a deep sense of connection to their birth and start to life. There is not necessarily the perfect time to write out your own birth story so it really depends on when you are ready and would like to open yourself up and reflect back.

Your Birth Story Will Open up Emotions

For some mamas, writing a birth story can be difficult. It will likely stir up emotions that are both positive and negative but will also talk about the excitement and joy of welcoming your baby into the world.

Not Every Birth Story is a Memorable One

I know from the stories some mamas have shared that there will be parts of your labor, delivery and birth experience that may be too traumatic for you to write about and I want you to know that’s ok.

You can write about the moments that you want to write about. There are no strict rules, it is your story.
If there are aspect about your childbirth experience that are causing you to struggle, then please reach out for help.

One big tip is that you should not worry about format or editing until you have finished. I want you to say whatever the you want as no-one is judging! know what’s best for YOU.

How to Write a Birth Story

It is really a personal perspective about your very own experiences. There is no right or wrong way. To help get you started I have written down some steps that may help guide you. And you can always check out the many birth stories our PregActive mamas have shared.

Writing Your Birth Story

1. Begin by documenting a brief timeline of events.

2. Maybe you can use chronological birth photos assist you in the timeline.

3. Sit down and recall the experience with someone who was at the childbirth (birth team, like your midwife, doula, partner)

4. Write freely and see how much you can write without constant critique.

5. Some mamas like to record their story then write it out.

Birth Story Questions To Help You Get Started

1. What time of day or year?

2. What was the weather like?

3. How was your drive to the hospital?

4. Were you in labor on your own?

5. How did that impact your feelings leading up to the start of labor?

6. Were you before or after your due date?

7. Did you have a special person there with you?

8. How did your partner handle the experience?

9. What was the first thing you said to your baby?

10. How was your birth team?

11. What did contractions feel like?

12. What were you thinking of throughout labor?

13. How long did you push?

14. How did you feel when you met your baby?

15. How did you feel the first few days postpartum?

16. Did you have a c section or a vaginal birth?

17. How did you feel after a few weeks?

How to Write a Birth Story

Well hopefully the tips I have shared with you will help you to not only get started on writing your birth story but to also acknowledge that it is your personal experience. Not what someone tells you. And not a birth story that you have to share with others if you do not want to.

Birth Preparation for All Mamas

It is all about self-education and empowerment. The more you know, the less you will worry about the unknown. Because you will replace the ‘unknown’ with the tools and tips to trust in yourself and discover that you are physically and mentally built for birth.