If you’re an expectant mother, you must be anticipating childbirth with excitement and some anxiety. While this can be a tough experience, you can smoothen it with adequate physical and mental preparations. Proper preparation ensures a smooth and safe natural delivery. This guide outlines 10 effective tips to help you prepare for one.
Choose a Reputable Hospital or Birth Center
Select a reliable hospital or birth center for childbirth well ahead of time. Take your time to find a hospital or center with good healthcare administration and excellent medical technology to assure your health and that of your baby during delivery. Familiarize yourself with the doctor and medical team. Go for regular checkups and interact with your healthcare provider.
Take a Birth Class
If you’re looking to have an unmedicated birth, you’ll benefit from enrolling and attending natural birth classes. This class teaches expectant mothers what to anticipate during labor and the childbearing process.
Birth classes provide knowledge and the physical and emotional support to handle labor. You’ll learn breathing techniques and pain relief strategies to help you cope. Experienced and professional tutors also provide resources that walk you through the entire childbirth process, including what to expect from your healthcare providers.
Hire a Doula
A doula is a non-medical professional that provides encouragement, guidance, and reassurance to you and your birthing partner during childbirth. Doulas are especially important for first-time parents; they help stabilize your inexperienced birthing partner to enable him to provide the support required during childbirth.
Many hospitals and birth centers allow doulas into the labor room, where they provide continuous labor support throughout the process. They can also act as your advocates when your birthing partner is absent.
Eat Healthy
Maintain proper nutrition during pregnancy to prepare for a smooth childbirth. Minimize sugar intake and increase fruit, vegetable, and protein intake to reduce the risk of complications.
Proper nutrition also helps you build strength that will be useful at delivery. During pregnancy and childbirth, you’ll experience several hormonal and chemical changes. Good nutrition will help you balance your hormones and mitigate side effects from these rapid changes.
Exercise Regularly
Physical fitness offers great advantages to mothers preparing for natural birth. Regular exercises during pregnancy help you stay fit in preparation for labor and childbirth. Exercises regularly increase your flexibility, a quality you’ll need during childbirth.
You don’t need intense exercise during pregnancy. Simple active movement for about 30 minutes daily is sufficient exercise. Taking moderate walks and climbing more stairs is an excellent way to exercise for flexibility while pregnant.
Learn Pain Management
Pain is your greatest enemy during childbirth, and learning how to handle it can make a world of difference during the process. Many proven techniques can help you to effectively manage birth pains without drugs, including:
- Aromatherapy
- Birthing balls
- Acupressure
- Warm compresses
- Water therapy
- Relaxation and meditation
- Massage
Many find these pain management techniques effective enough to help them avoid epidural shots and eliminate the risk of epidural injury during childbirth.
Draft a Plan
Draft a plan that outlines your expectations throughout the entire process. Then, make alternate plans for unexpected events that may occur during the process.
Having a plan and planning for unexpected events keeps you calm and avoids panic throughout your labor and childbirth. Managing your anxiety helps you manage pain better for a smoother experience.
Spend Early Labor at Home
Active labor lasts about 12-14 hours during a first-time pregnancy. When the discomfort begins, many first-time mothers desire to rush to their birth center. However, spending early labor at home around familiar sights and people is often best.
Spending more time in pain at the hospital increases your anxiety and can cause panic as labor intensifies. Conversely, staying at home for longer allows you to practice your pain management techniques during early labor and benefit from family support where available.
Learn to Manage Contractions
Relaxation is an important quality that affects the success of unmedicated births. Anxiety and fear usually increase tension and pain. However, if you can learn to remain calm and relaxed during serious contractions, you’ll face less resistance during childbirth. Explore relaxation techniques like rhythmic breathing to help you manage contractions.
Take a Shower
Before heading to the hospital, take a warm shower to help you handle the process. Labor pains usually cause tense muscles throughout your body to amplify your discomfort. A warm shower helps reduce tension throughout your body, improving your ability to endure and handle childbirth.
Endnote
Expectant mothers often struggle with anxiety, especially when preparing for a natural, unmedicated birth. However, they can reduce anxiety and ensure a safe and smooth delivery with good prior preparation. Preparation strategies like taking a birth class, eating healthy, hiring a doula, exercising regularly, learning pain management, and choosing a reputable birth center can help ensure a successful natural delivery.