Have a Birth Plan
My birth plan was the road map for how I wanted my labor to go. I gave it to my OB at one of my routine visits. And honestly, I only used it for one of my deliveries. That was because there were times when my care team was good enough that we had ample opportunities to discuss my preferences.
I did also find it relieving to discuss scenarios with my husband. He was able to have a level of preparedness beforehand. He was also able to practice techniques that I learned by way of research.
Take a Birth Class
Taking a birthing class was also crucial for us. How much I learned about birth and pregnancy by the time I was pregnant with my fourth was really so shocking. We were required to take a birthing class for the birthing center that we chose and I sure am glad that we were. Not only did I get loads of info about the labor process, but I also learned birth positions and the science behind the techniques.
My husband was able to practice exercises for improving my comfort. It really was an invaluable part of the process. I only wished I had taken birth classes for my 3 babies prior.
Research Techniques
When I started diving into the world of coping with labor, I found that there were various tools available. There was hypnobirthing, free birthing, water births, intuitive birthing and there was the other that many people are familiar with by way of the media. That is, a masked doctor standing at the end of your hospital bed yelling at you to: PUSH!!
While I personally preferred a mix of various methods and options, I didn’t know I had them until I actually did the research.
I really enjoyed looking at various women giving birth in their homes with minimal intervention. A lot of the women were surrounded by family a midwife and a nurse. I just found it so inspirational. This also helped me visualize myself in a similar experience.
Practice Deep Breathing
Now one thing I noticed from watching some birthing videos is that I could really resonate with the discomfort that I could see some of the moms experiencing. There were times that I found myself (& sometimes still do) holding my body really tensely.
From my research on hypnobirthing, I learned that the best state for the body to be in is a relaxed one so the uterine muscles can relax to allow the baby through.
I started to become very intentional about recognizing my tension and taking deep breaths. I knew this practice was going to come in handy when my body would start the laboring process.
I was right. It was not always easy but I was able to bring myself back to focusing on my breath and relaxing my body because I had practiced it so often before my labor.
Watch Other Women Give Birth
This is one of my favorite things to do in order to prepare for birth. It was so relieving to know that other women were able to do the very thing that my body was about to do. It gave me that extra oomph that I needed if ever I started to get anxious or lose confidence.
Set the Stage
Each tip above are tips that I used to set a mental stage in my mind. I was able to picture myself in my ideal state the more I learned about techniques and saw other mothers remain calm while in labor. I could see that it was possible for me to also have a positive and natural birth as well.
Spending time thinking about how I would take slow deep breaths during labor was beneficial in me actually doing it when the time came. My imagination thrusted me forward to actually doing the thing. It’s because I could literally see myself already having done it. And that was my formula!
What about you? Are there any strategies that you used or plan to use to prepare for your natural birth? Feel free to share it in the comments below.
Thanks for reading,
XO,
Janeek
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