Preparing for Birth

​

​Having a baby is so exciting!  If this is your first baby, it’s not like anything you’ve ever done before.  If it’s not your first, this baby’s birth still may not be anything like the first one. Preparing both mentally and physically is important and will make things easier when the time comes!  Here are 7 things you can do to be more prepared for the arrival of your new little one:

1. Be active.  Staying fit and active during your pregnancy is important!  However, if you happen to be a personal trainer or gym rat type person, there is such a thing as too strong of a pelvic floor.  You might consider seeing a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor in the early days of pregnancy to make sure that your fitness routine is going to help you rather than make things harder.  This is NOT an excuse to sit on your butt and do nothing for 9 months.  Just be smart about what you’re doing.
2. Eat dates starting around 36 weeks of pregnancy.  Research is showing that eating 6 dates a day for the last several weeks of pregnancy seems to help prepare your body for labor.  Less likely to hit 42 weeks and less likely to have your water break before labor.  If you have gestational diabetes, please talk to your doctor before trying this.
3. Drink Red Raspberry leaf tea.  The tea can help tone your uterus and make contractions more effective when the day arrives.  Be aware that the recommendation is to drink lots and lots of tea.  I’ve had few clients prefer a tincture that you can find online.
4. Get regular chiropractic care.  Chiropractic care can help with the “normal” aches and pains of pregnancy while also helping to balance your body to provide more space and optimal positioning for baby.  Chiropractic can also help you body recover it’s normal balance after baby arrives.
5. Take a childbirth preparation course and make sure your partner comes as well.  Most hospitals that offer maternity care also offer childbirth classes. There are also many independent childbirth classes for particular specialties such as HypnoBabies, The Bradley Method, Birth Bootcamp, or the course I teach, GentleBirth.  Each course type has its own advantages and disadvantages and all help prepare you for the birth of your baby.  If you would prefer a natural, medication free birth, an independent birth class will often provide you with more tools.
6. Practice the techniques you learn.  Whatever course you choose, practice what you learn.  Practice relaxing, practice hypnosis/mindfulness/breathing, practice positions practice guided imagery .  Use your birth ball.  Dance.  Imagine your baby’s birth in the most positive way you can.  The more you practice, the more prepare you’ll be for the big day.
7. Hire a doula.  You probably wouldn’t be reading this blog if you weren’t considering a doula.  We provide emotional support, hands on help during labor, and education to mothers and their partners during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.  Research shows that having a doula at your birth increases both the mother’s and partner’s satisfaction in the event, lowers caesarean rates, and lowers risk of postpartum depression.  The research is compelling enough that Dr. John H. Kennell, a medical doctor and founder of DONA International said, “If doulas were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it.”

Preparing both mentally and physically before the birth of your baby will make things easier when the time comes.  Get excited!  You’re having a baby!

Interested in a doula?  Looking for childbirth education? Planning a VBAC?
I would love to help!