Preparing for Birth

July 1, 2016 /

Written by Anvi Sharma 

After about 40 weeks of being pregnant, labour is possibly the most exciting, and also daunting stage. As much as it’s important to rest and relax, preparing for labour is key and it’s never too early to start. Here are some things to consider to avoid getting stressed later down the line.

Learning about the birthing process

Study up by reading all those pregnancy and birthing books – looking up information on the internet, watch videos and talk to doctors. The more you know about the process, the less scary it is. Just remember that no matter how much you learn and prepare, things might not always go exactly as planned.

Birthing Classes

You can learn more on birthing and labour by taking a birth class. The courses can teach you about options for pain management, breathing & relaxation tips, breastfeeding, how to care for the baby, information on medical equipment & procedures, and more. Find a class that suits you, but keep in mind that childbirth classes tend to fill up quickly so try to book early. Some courses run for 12 weeks, so you’ll need to start them in your second trimester.

Birth Plan

There any many ways you can give birth; natural birth, epidurals, C-sections, water births, hypnobirthing and more. It’s important to consider which option you think would be the best option. Having a birth plan helps not only you, but also your partner and other involved members such as the doctor, nurses etc.

When the time comes, it’s a good thing to be prepared and know exactly what you want going into labour. This includes thinking about whether you want to have a natural birth, if you want pain relief medication, the kind of support you want, who you want in the room with you and if you prefer medical intervention over a long labour. Again, it’s important to remember that you can’t control every aspect of giving birth.

Where to give birth

Giving birth in a hospital seems like it would be the obvious option for many – but home birthing is also increasingly popular; ask your doctor about the different options. You can also have your baby in a birthing centre instead of a hospital. You should do whatever you feel comfortable with, keeping in mind what the doctor says and what is best for the baby. There are some risks with home births, so make sure you choose a midwife if you’re going down this route.

Physical preparation

Physical preparation will help you endure the labour process, which can be very exhausting for many women and can last a long time. Daily light exercise is proven to help the body prepare for labour. You can do Kegel exercises, squats, stretches and yoga. Yoga can help women focus, as well as increasing strength and flexibility. It also helps to relax your mind and put it at ease. Standing, walking, kneeling and sitting (upright positions) can help move the baby downwards.

Mental preparation

Everyone’s going to be telling you what to do, what not to do and everything else in between. Try and tune out excessive or negative advice from your mind as negative thoughts can take over, making your labour experience even more stressful and painful. Stay away from those labour and pregnancy horror stories online too!

Checklist of things to do before you give birth 

  • Stock up on essentials from the pharmacy e.g. maxi pads, newborn nappies, wipes and any medical supplies or toiletries.
  • Restock the fridge and pantry with healthy and easy foods such as fruits, vegetables and other pre-made healthy alternatives
  • Pay your bills in advance as it’s easy to forget about them when the baby arrives. Direct debit is a godsend!
  • Finish up at your workplace make sure everyone knows that you’re leaving. Set up an out-of-office email, leave work for whoever needs to do it and tie up any loose ends.
  • Install the car seat in advance to make sure it fits and get it checked by a professional to ensure it’s safe.
  • Clean your house – you surely won’t have time to do it once the baby arrives. It will make coming home a lot less stressful, and you’ll be prepared for all the photo ops with your little one and inevitable guests.
  • Do any last-minute baby shopping for clothes or necessary items.
  • Prepare the older siblings and pets for the newcomer in the family. There are many ways to help your children get ready for a new baby brother or sister; some hospitals and centres have sibling classes offered. Pets can also attend pre-baby preparation classes.

A brief checklist of what to take to the hospital:

  • Your birth plan and maternity notes if you have any.
  • Medicare card, health insurance, any required forms or hospital paperwork
  • Clothes – you’ll want something comfortable to slip into like a dressing gown, nightdress or old t-shirt, as well as clothes to wear home. You’ll also want to bring some old, maternity or disposable underwear.
  • Slippers and non-skid socks – your feet can become cold during labour.
  • Lip balm or chap stick – hospitals can make your lips dry.
  • Plenty of food and drinks – light snacks and healthy food is always good.
  • Cash – in case hospital food is terrible and you want a little something from the vending machines.
  • A hairband to tie your hair up during labour.
  • Pain relief medication – as long as it’s OK with the doctor.
  • Toiletries, hair brush, tissues, massage oils and creams.
  • A good camera or phone to take pictures for the baby’s arrival.
  • Nursing bras, breast pads and nipple cream.
  • A car seat in your car – you won’t be able to take your baby home in the car if you don’t have a car seat.
  • Baby clothes – an outfit for the trip home is a must, something comfortable and easy to put on.
  • Warm blanket for the baby – they’re more sensitive to the cold.
  • Mobile phone and charger.