PREPARING FOR YOUR LABOR AND BIRTH SHOULD BE DONE THROUGHOUT THE DURAITION OF YOUR PREGANCNY.
*Why do you think it takes 9 months!* It is kinda like signing up to run a marathon; there is much prep to take place BEFORE the race day..and when you have a plan to follow; that helps even more!
It takes 10 months to grow a tiny little human (which is amazing, still so amazing to me!) for a reason…so you have time to prepare mentally & physically.
Here are 5 Tips to prepare for Labor & Birth: Coming from a mother who had 5 children under the age of 6. Let me preface, it will not be PAINLESS, BUT with these tips and strategies it will be a heck of a lot easier; trust me!
5 Tips to Prepare for Labor & Birth
- TALK ABOUT IT.
Talk about it with your spouse/significant other, talk about it with your OB, journal your feelings about it. Ask the questions, do the research (but avoid to much of that or hours on google!) It is OK to tell people you do not want to hear horror stories; that you ask only for positive stories. YOU are the one preparing for this babe to be born; so do what feels best for you. This birth is you and your babe; and no matter what you visualize for that moment, remember it is your’s not anyone elses! Get comfortable with the fact that millions of women have gone before you to do this…in all types of conditions…YOU CAN TOO!
- TOUR YOUR HOSPITAL/ BIRTH CENTER
Many hospitals do this; especially for first time mothers. They set up times where new parents can tour the birth floor so you know what the rooms look like and what you will have access too, such as birth tubs, birthing balls etc. If your OB has not brought this up yet, ask! Being able to tour the birth unit, meet the nurses, see the rooms and what options are available before you go reduces a lot of anxiety, for the mom AND the spouse/significant other.
- LEARN TO BREATHE
Understanding your breath, & how to breathe will not only support you throughout your pregnancy but it plays a HUGE role during your labor; specifically contractions. Understanding how to breathe through your diaphragm correctly (the majority of us breathe from our chest) teaches proper core breathing to keep a strong core and prevent pelvic floor dysfunctions. This is a largely overlooked coping mechanism for labor; and a one everyone has the capability of tuning into! It is important to practice BEFORE so your body is in the habit before the big day.
3A. Breathing also comes in extremely helpful on the flip side of pregnancy…during your postpartum time! Breathing can be done right after the baby is born to begin healing in your core, increase blood flow and support tissue regrowth. Breathing is also extremely beneficial with stress & anxiety, something that is bound to happen at some point after baby is here. (And completely normal may I add!)
- LEARN THE ANATOMY
When we become pregnant our focus tends to be on the baby, what is developing/growing/changing each week & what sensations you may be feeling from these changes. The changes explained to us, the mother is typically done so in the form of PAIN. Go into any “You’re Expecting a Baby App” And you will begin to notice this trend. They have highlighted these things so much that it has become a common mis-conception that pain is to be expected & there is nothing you can do about it.
WRONG!
The Maternal Method is here to empower you otherwise! Understand the changes that take place in your body, it’s not JuST about your babies changing state…you’re body changes just as much. Taking the time to understand your core, pelvic floor, & proper exercises to eliminate pain is essential not only for the duration of your pregnancy but proper healing after as well. By doing this you will be able to give your body an entirely new appreciation, one that is well deserved.
- TAKE YOUR VITAMINS & drink @pinkstork Red Raspberry Tea. Red raspberry helps tone your uterus & I swear it helped me with all my labors. There are a lot of vitamins and teas out there on the market, having 5 pregnancies myself I have sampled quite a few.
IN CONCLUSION: Of course just taking vitamins, & drinking tea will not magically help you have a pain free, intervention free birth. Preparing for labor and birth truly takes months of preparation and a combination of many holistic practices. If anything at minimum do these 5 steps listed here and the cards will for sure be in your favor.
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