We call a positive birth journey the process in which the joy of birth is experienced through physical and mental preparation, the mother-baby bond is established with skin-to-skin contact in the first minutes, and positive emotions accompany the journey regardless of the type of birth.

The moment of birth is a very special moment. Both mother and baby remember this moment for a lifetime. Therefore, the entire service at the time of birth must be planned according to the needs of the mother and baby. We want the mother to remember the birth moment with a smile on her face even after one day, one week, one year, or ten years, and to approach her baby with those positive feelings and bond with trust.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE POSITIVE BIRTH JOURNEY?

The purpose of the positive birth journey is to explain birth physiologically to the expectant mother and father, to ensure their active participation in this process, and to emotionally support them in overcoming all negative thoughts related to birth.

Of course, you will give birth in some way, but how you gave birth, whether you received enough support during this process, whether your and your baby's needs were considered, and whether you actively participated in decisions — all the yes answers you give to these will help you complete this process with positive feelings.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR A POSITIVE BIRTH JOURNEY?

• RIGHT TEAM SELECTION: The first step for a positive birth journey is to start with a doctor who respects your birth preferences, supports you, and works with a team that also respects the birthing mother.

• BIRTH PREPARATION TRAINING: For a positive birth journey, physical and mental preparation is necessary. This can best be achieved by receiving training from the right team based on evidence-based data. Awareness of birth and joyful birth preparation are essential. Ideally, couples should participate together so they experience the same level of awareness and enthusiasm and approach their babies with the same sensitivity. Additionally, fathers learn what to expect and how they can support the mother without hesitation.

I have witnessed thousands of births. I can say that the mere presence of aware fathers during birth provides incredible support to mothers. That is why we say fathers are the heroes of our births. I call this training the 'positive birth preparation course.'

In the training, you learn medical information such as: When does labor start? What should I do if my water breaks? When should I go to the hospital? You also learn breathing techniques, massages, active labor positions, meditation, and relaxation methods that facilitate birth.

The training helps you meet the team, speak the same language, and most importantly, build a trust relationship. Birth does not happen by trial and error; physical preparation is also necessary. Therefore, you should practice the breathing, relaxation exercises, and active birth movements learned in training until the birth moment so that your body can access these skills when needed.

• MENTAL PREPARATION FOR BIRTH: The third step is mental preparation for birth. Yes, you will all give birth, but how you feel about it is very important. Alongside the physiological aspect of birth, there is also the mental and psychological side, so a holistic approach is necessary. The main goals for a positive birth are to overcome fear, achieve physical and mental relaxation, and allow the uterine muscles to work.

The female body is designed for giving birth. The uterus, baby, and body know what to do; you just need to allow it. However, fear and anxiety learned later can disrupt the whole process. These fears often stem from negative birth perceptions, stories heard from others, or ancestral experiences.

A woman should be free from fears during birth and be able to let herself go with the flow. For mental preparation, psychotherapy sessions aim to understand the root of the fears and help release them through relaxation.

In addition, parenting rehearsals before birth, communication with the baby, bonding activities, and strengthening family bonds through empathy before birth are planned. Usually, about 4 sessions are scheduled during pregnancy at weeks 28, 32, 36, and 38, and the frequency can be adjusted as needed.

• ONE-ON-ONE SUPPORT DURING BIRTH: The fourth step is one-on-one support during birth. This means having a dedicated support person with you from the start of labor until the first breastfeeding is complete, who focuses only on you and makes you feel you are not alone. Ideally, a midwife should be exclusively assigned to you. The private midwife supports the family until breastfeeding is fully established.

I see these private midwives as sisters of mothers during the birth process who embrace mother and baby with unconditional love and support.

• SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT: The fifth step is skin-to-skin contact. The baby is placed naked on the mother's bare skin immediately after birth and covered with a blanket. This way, the baby stays connected to the familiar smells, sounds, and skin from the womb, maintaining a sense of security.

There are three important points of contact for secure bonding: eyes, voice, and skin. When the baby is placed on the mother's skin, they make eye contact, the mother says 'Welcome, my dear,' and the baby thinks, 'Yes, this must be my mother. I have changed environments, but this is also a safe place,' and surrenders to the mother's peaceful arms.

Thus, the foundations of secure bonding are laid within the first minutes. Skin-to-skin contact should be done for as long as possible, at least one hour. Studies show that babies who have skin-to-skin contact cry less, experience less anxiety, have steadier heart rate and breathing, and breastfeed more easily and successfully. Since 2003, the World Health Organization recommends that all newborns with good general condition, regardless of weight, gestational age, or delivery type, receive skin-to-skin contact.

With the motto 'A birth becomes more beautiful as the world becomes more beautiful,' we embark on this journey. Regardless of your type of birth—natural birth, water birth, vaginal birth after cesarean, or cesarean birth—birth is not a battlefield, nor is your birth method a victory. The greatest success is to experience the joy of birth with adequate support, meet your baby with positive feelings, and stay together as long as possible.

Think positively — have a positive birth journey…