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MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information
PREPARING FOR AN EASY DELIVERY
Pregnancy brings on a lot of new changes in your body. Whether or not it took you a long time to conceive - you are no doubt excited about finally being pregnant and looking forward to the day that your baby will be placed into your loving arms. But that day can bring on certain fears, especially of the unknown if you have never experienced birth before. But relax, there are things you can do to prepare for that day - whether you are planning a homebirth, a hospital birth - going at it naturally - allowing an epidural or even planning a cesarean.
MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: Birth Methods
EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT
The best advice I can give for preparation for the delivery day is education. Read all you can on the process of labor and birth. Ignorance is not the blissful way of approaching such an important milestone in your life. Knowledge of what your body will be going through on that day will greatly help to alleviate the stress and fear of childbirth. There are countless books, magazines, true-life TV shows and websites that are chocked full of information. Ask your midwife for recommended reading material. Many midwives have a lending library available for her clients to use in preparation for their birth.
Take a childbirth class. This is a great way to have the opportunity to ask questions and to learn what you are to go through. It's also beneficial - because you will choose a childbirth class that will narrow down to the type of birth you wish to experience. Find a childbirth class for the method of birth you have planned. If you are planning a homebirth - you should find a childbirth class set up to teach you about what to expect with a homebirth experience. A hospital childbirth class will be relatively useless to you as they talk about hospital procedures, medications, and routines to be expected. However, if you are planning a hospital delivery, then by all means consider taking the hospital childbirth class. If you are having a cesarean delivery, then it is wise to take a class about a cesarean and what to expect from this method of delivery. Where and however you have your birth planned, it never hurts to take a class that may specialize in relaxation and natural, undrugged, labor management such as a HypnoBirthing Class or one that teaches meditation techniques. If you are unable to attend a childbirth class (they can be somewhat expensive), then sit down with your midwife and have her answer your questions and take you through some basic labor management techniques.
PRENATAL EXERCISE
Exercise will benefit your body in more than one way. Find an exercise that is approved by your midwife or healthcare provider. Exercising during pregnancy will not only prepare your body for labor and delivery - it will help give you assistance towards loosing that pregnancy weight after the baby arrives. Exercise will greatly help labor and birth to be easier and possibly quicker. Walking is an excellent form of low impact exercise and it allows you to get outside in the fresh air.
PERINEAL MASSAGE
Do perineal massage. This will help to possibly avoid an episiotomy and tears during delivery. About 6 weeks before your due date - apply some oil (almond, vegetable, olive or vitamin E oils are all good choices) or some type of lubrication on two clean thumbs with trimmed fingernails and put pressure on your perineum toward your rectum, about to the first knuckle of your finger until it burns, about 2 minutes. Then gently massage and stretch the area for about one to five minutes. This will strengthen and condition the perineum for the birth. You will start with one minute and build up to five minutes as you work with the perineal massage. Finally gently massage the tissues between your thumb and forefinger back and forth for one minute. Do this every night. You can even have your partner do this and may add a little extra to your romantic routine.
LEARN LABOR ENHANCING TIPS
Learn the methods of helping to move labor along. You don't want to find yourself induced, laying flat in a labor bed, with your water broken and hooked up to a pitocin IV to augment your labor. This really is not a pleasant experience for most women. If you are able to walk and move around during labor, this will help to keep things moving along. Changing positions is helpful. Find one that feels comfortable as possible. You will feel the need to change positions as labor progresses. Follow your instincts and your body. If you are laboring at home, take a walk outside in the fresh air. Don't go alone or too far from your home. You don't want to end up delivering in a neighbor's yard under their pine tree. Your partner or labor support can help you during your walk by giving you someone to lean on during contractions. If the weather is unpleasant outside, then walk around your room or your house. Always have someone nearby to assist you.
BREATHING EXERCISES
Practice your breathing and relaxation exercises before you go into labor. If you took a childbirth class, they may have already taught you a specific method (Lamaze, Bradley). If you haven't taken a class, keep your breathing slow and steady. Slow breathing helps to keep you centered, calm and your body relaxed. Do not clench your jaw or tighten your face muscles during a contraction. Keep these loose and pliable. As your face is, so your perineum does. You may want to use a focal point during your contractions. A picture of a baby or something or someone else may help you to keep your mind focused. If you have been taught hypnosis techniques or guided imagery then use these methods. What ever you have been taught or helps you to remain calm and relaxed is going to help you work through your labor. Knowing what to expect during labor is the most effective way of easing discomforts. Fear brings tension. Tension brings pain. Pain aggravates the fear. Don't get caught up in this cycle. Be prepared and eliminate the fear. Even when things don't happen as planned, it helps to be prepared for the unexpected.
WRITE YOUR BIRTH PLAN
Write a birth plan and go over it with your midwife or health care provider before you go into labor. Make sure to be flexible and open to the possibility that you may have to change a few things. This way you will know for sure what actions will be taken once labor hits and there will be no surprises. Leave room in the birth plan for the unexpected too - such as emergency cesareans. Go over all possible situations in your mind and apply them to paper. Ask your midwife questions. This will help you to prepare for those "what if" situations.
HOSPITAL TOURS & PROCEDURES
Whether or not you are planning on a hospital birth, it never hurts to visit your hospital that you may deliver your baby in. If your childbirth class does not include a tour of your hospital or go over hospital procedures then make arrangements to tour the labor and delivery unit at your hospital and ask the staff to go over all the things that could possibly happen with you once you are checked in. This will help to familiarize yourself what to expect from the hospital before you arrive for your birth. If you are planning a homebirth, it never hurts to visit the maternity ward, just to familiarize yourself with it just in case you need a transfer during the birth for any reason. Be sure to include the nursery in your visit, in case your baby will need to be treated for a medical condition. This way it won't be such a scary and unfamiliar place for you. If you have a choice of hospitals, then it may be beneficial if you visited all of them before deciding which one you would want to be transported to in the event of a complication that needs medical attention.
ASK QUESTIONS AND EXPECT ANSWERS
It is important to talk to your midwife or health care provider at length about any concerns or questions you may have. Do not be afraid to find out all you can - as fear is the base of stress and stress can make the labor and birth hard. Knowledge erases fear. Look forward to the birth day with confidence and assurance that you are as ready as you can be.
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