Why Turning Off Your Phone During Labour Can Enhance Your Birthing Experience
In today's world, it’s almost second nature to have our phones close by—whether it’s to stay in touch with loved ones, capture special moments, or simply feel connected. But when it comes to giving birth, there’s something deeply grounding about stepping away from the digital world and allowing yourself to be fully present in the moment.
At Your Cozy Birth, I will encourage you to take a gentle, more mindful approach to birth, and one of the most powerful ways to do this is by turning off your phone throughout labour, until the placenta is born. This is why it makes such a difference to how you labour:
1. Deepening Your Connection
Labour is such an intimate and sacred time, not only for you but for your partner and your baby as well. By turning off your phone, you allow yourself to create space for a deeper connection with your body and the birthing process. Without distractions, you’ll be more in tune with the natural flow of labour and able to focus on bringing your baby into the world with intention and calm.
Your birth partner or support team will also be more present with you. Without the temptation to check messages or update family, they can offer undivided attention, which is exactly what you need in these moments.
2. Creating a Calm Environment
A cozy birth is all about calm, comfort, and relaxation—qualities that help support a smooth and positive labour. Phones, with their constant buzzes and notifications, can pull you away from that peaceful environment. Research has shown that distractions and interruptions can affect the release of oxytocin, the hormone that helps labour progress. By switching off your phone, you’re ensuring that your surroundings stay calm, giving your body the best chance to do its incredible work.
3. Its not over until your placenta is birthed
Many people focus on the moment the baby is born, but the time immediately after—the birth of the placenta—is just as important. This period, often referred to as the ‘third stage of labour’ is a time for you and your baby to bond, for skin-to-skin contact, and for your body to complete the birth process.
Keeping your phone off until after the placenta is delivered is vital as it allows you to remain in your oxytocin haze which will ease your placenta’s birth. It’s a moment to hold your baby close, to breathe, and to experience the full magic of birth without any distractions.
4. Easing Anxiety
Phones, while useful, can sometimes bring a sense of stress—whether it’s from messages piling up or the pressure to share updates. During labour, the last thing you want is to feel pulled in different directions.
By switching off your phone, you’re giving yourself permission to let go of any outside expectations and focus solely on your body, your baby, and your birth. It’s a small step that can help ease anxiety and make the entire experience feel more relaxed.
5. Capturing Memories Mindfully
Of course, there’s a desire to capture those first magical moments with your baby, and there will be plenty of time for that. Once the placenta is born and you’ve had a chance to rest and soak in the moment, your birth partner can use your phone intentionally, taking photos that truly reflect the beauty and coziness of your birth experience.
In the meantime, by being present and phone-free, you’re allowing yourself to fully live those moments, rather than just documenting them.
A Cozy, Gentle Start
For me, birth is about creating an environment that feels safe, calm, and connected. By turning off your phone during labour and waiting until after the placenta is born, you’re honouring your body, your baby, and this once-in-a-lifetime experience with full presence and care. Enjoy this intimate time with your birth partner and give lot of time for those bonds to build before inviting the rest of the world into this intimate moment.
Enjoy your new addition - One cozy moment at a time.
You can book your hypnobirthing course by clicking this link.
