What preparation are you doing for the birth?

[michblb]

Hi girls

Of late I’ve started thinking (read worrying!) about the birth – I’m a first time Mum and I was interested to know if you have started to prepare for the birth and what you are doing?

I don’t feel like I’ve done a lot apart from read the early 2007 birth announcements (which scared me so I stopped!), talk to my Ob and I bought a book/CD called 25 ways to awaken your birth power by Danette Watson and Stephanie Corkhill Hyles. Beautiful set but I’ve only found the time to listen to it once!!! :laughing:

[punkbaby]

i found what really helped me was generally staying fit not like fit fit but able to go for a brisk walk without running out of puff!

I found with ds i did this and had quiet a good labour, i wasnt puffed and dealt with the contractions quiet well, when i had dd (no 3) i made sure i did the same, walked just to stay in shape and get some fresh air too and it helped me as well :)

Otherwise i think the birth itself you cannot plan...you just have to try make yourself prepared mentally and focus on your body :)

[DNA]

Hi Mich,

This is my first also so to be honest I've really not wanted to think too much about the birth itself, but I'm grateful you bring up the topic because it does make me anxious if I'm honest.

I've bought two DVD's - pregilates (I had to laugh when I realised they existed) but I have not taken them out of the shrink wrap. I have though been given a lot of books and read a lot about the benefit to getting off my big behind and into some form fitting tights and am hopeful I simply don't pull a muscle in the process :no:

Honestly, I will however get to an aqua aerobics class. DH has agreed to come but refuses to join in. I think that's a bit pervy really so I'll brave it alone. I guess if I trip I can pretend I was just dipping my head :yelclap:

[K1W1]

I don't really prepare for it, don't think there is anything you can really do, cause all labours are different just like pregnancies

I just like to go in with a open mind, and be as relaxed as possible,

if your worried about tearing or anything you can massage the area, helps a little but isn't gauranteed to stop tearing

also like punkbaby said, staying fit is good, good for the labour and helps with recovery, oh and the pelvic floor excersises are a must lol :thumbsup:

[nicoleE]

Im surprised in myself but I am not fearful of the birth at all, infact I cant wait to experiance it!
However Im aware that all that may well change a little closer to the date!!

I have figured that what my body cant cope with medical intervention (C-Section, Epidural etc) can! :D I dont know what it will feel like, I dont know what pain threshold my body can take but I will give it my best shot (at going natural) and be open to alternatives to help me through such as music, pain medication etc, etc.

I do however aim to stay fit (still going to the gym 4 times a week - 2x weights sessions, 1x Body Attack cardio class (low impact) and a Yoga/Pilates/Thai Chi class). I believe being fit can help. But i have been doing all of that for over 2 years now so if you have not been doing regular exercise then please stick to walking and other lower intensity exercise.

I will also be trying to keep up with pelvic floor exercises (reminds me - better do some now! :p ) and will massage with almond oil or something in the last month.

I read the normal prego and birth mags and books and read up about birth so I can have an idea of the sorts of things I may go through but I understand every birth is different so I will trust my Ob and Midwife to guide me through it! (and hope DH is somewhat useful at the event :rolleyes: )

[SpaghettiMummy]

I don't really prepare for it, don't think there is anything you can really do, cause all labours are different just like pregnancies

I just like to go in with a open mind, and be as relaxed as possible,

if your worried about tearing or anything you can massage the area, helps a little but isn't gauranteed to stop tearing

also like punkbaby said, staying fit is good, good for the labour and helps with recovery, oh and the pelvic floor excersises are a must lol :thumbsup:


I too am an open mind person when it comes to labour as I realised whatever I stressed about would probably hold me back when it came down to it.

Also on the pregnancy perinial massage (supposed to help reduce tearing) I was told to hold off on this until about 36 weeks as it isn't really beneficial until then I got a third degree tear on my first so I did a lot of readin on positions and things but basically pacing yourself throughout the labour so you aren't exhausted by the end and read up lots on active labour as the more active you are the better.

ETA: someone told me when I was pregnant with my first not to expect it to be horrible as then it'll be worse for you just be open and try to let your body lead you. The also said the worst part about pregnancy is morning sickness not labour as you don't know how long morning sickness will last but you know the labour will be relatively short and you have a "reward" of meeting bub at the end of it where as when your m/s finishes you're still pregnant

[Pebbles]

I dont think anything can really prepare you for giving birth. No matter how many books you read or vid's you watch it will be so different to what you expect on the day. I went to antenatal classes with DS and I will be doing that again with this bub. But last preg thats all I really did to prepare for the birth. I read a couple of books but everything I had read went straight out the window when I was actually in labour.
Last time I ended up with 2nd degree tearing so I have been massaging my 'area' to hopefully be a little more prepared there. Also I have been trying to remember to do my pelvic floor exercises as they are very important.
I have checked out a few birth stories on the internet that have some graphic pic's just to remind myself what it is like but I am more worried about how DH is going to cope! This is his first biological child as DS was from a previous relationship so he is not really prepared for what is going to happen and what he is going to see. That is one of the reasons I have booked us into the antenatal classes.
I think I will also buy one of those big inflatable ball's coz apparently they are great for first stages of labour or for bringing labour on when ya get to that stage.
And I am also a member of a gym so I have been making sure I stick to my exercising coz it is important to be fit and healthy.
Thats all I can think of for now...