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The Four Tendencies in Birth: How Knowing Yourself Shapes Your Experience

In this episode of The Ultimate Birth Partner Podcast, I explore how Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies framework can help women, partners, and birth professionals better understand how we respond to expectations — and why that matters so much in pregnancy and birth.

I share real-life examples of how each Tendency (Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, Rebel) might prepare for birth, how they may respond in the moment, and the unique challenges or strengths they bring into the birth room.

You’ll hear:
✨ Why self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools you can take into labour
✨ How partners can better support by recognising their own style and their loved one’s needs
✨ Why birth professionals and doulas benefit from tailoring their approach depending on the woman or family they’re working with
✨ What to do if you don’t know your care provider’s Tendency — and how to get your point across clearly in the moment
✨ How to express your own Tendency in your Birth Manifesto® so your values, priorities, and boundaries are unmistakably clear

This episode is full of stories, practical strategies, and even scripts you can use to explain yourself to others, helping you strengthen your inner compass and stay aligned with what matters most.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about creating your Birth Manifesto® in my Discover Your North Star course - https://payhip.com/b/8PSYi
• Gretchen Rubins The Four Tendencies Quiz - https://gretchenrubin.com/quiz/the-four-tendencies-quiz/
• If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it makes such a difference

If you love the podcast and would like to support it, then please use the link to 'buy me a coffee' - https://bmc.link/sallyannberesford

If you would like to buy a copy of either of the books that accompany this podcast please go to your online bookseller or visit Amazon:-

Labour of Love - The Ultimate Guide to Being a Birth Partner - click here:-https://bit.ly/Labouroflove

The Art of Giving Birth - Five Key Physiological Principles - https://amzn.to/3EGh9df

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Black and White version https://amzn.to/3CvJXmO

Pregnancy Journal for 'The Art of Giving Birth'
- Colour version https://amzn.to/3GknbPF

You can find all my classes and courses on my website - www.sallyannberesford.co.uk

Follow me on Instagram @theultimatebirthpartner

Book a 1-2-1 session with Sallyann - https://linktr.ee/SallyannBeresford

Please remember that the information shared with you in this episode is solely based on my own personal experiences as a doula and the private opinions of my guests, based on their own experiences. Any recommendations made may not be suitable for ...