Beyond the Birth Plan: Getting real about pain and power

by Rhea Dempsey

Research tells us many postnatal challenges stem from our pre-baby our emotional history, childhood and even babyhood. Prenatal preparation that recognises this is crucial in protecting new mothers from postnatal depression. It is also the kind of preparation Rhea Dempsey has offered for years to women wanting the best chance of intervention-free birth in our current system.

In Beyond the Birth Plan Rhea outlines this emotional preparation, drawing on brain science, psychology, midwifery research, and the personal stories of many women she has supported to birth the way they want.

Whatever your intentions for labour and whatever its ultimate pathway, your real plan for your birth—and beyond—starts here.

483 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2025

Reviews

[Tiffany Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I thought I was just going to be reading other people’s stories, I wasn’t completely sold on it I’m not going to lie. It seemed a bit repetitive.

However, now finishing the book I feel like I have gained so much more knowledge on what to expect coming towards the time I will be giving birth.

My eyes were opened to the actual physiological aspect and all those deep thoughts in the back of our minds that we think we can push away, will probably come out.

So to prepare not only our body physically, but we also need to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally. Express those feelings of concern, open up about trauma that could potentially hold you back from opening up to birth.

I really enjoyed this. The only thing I would ask for to give it a 5 star would be more examples on how to do these things. There are some, and enough that I felt it’s a necessary, but I think a I would have like a bit more detail on that part.