Preparing for labor and delivery of your first child can be exciting, exhausting and overwhelming, and while you can never truly prepare for what you’ll experience, you want to take some steps to help set yourself up for success.
While there is no perfect playbook for preparing for your journey to motherhood, odds are you’ll find that labor and delivery is a little easier if you keep the following tips in mind.
How New Mothers Can Prepare For Labor
Here’s a look at a number of helpful tips to consider as your delivery date approaches.
-
Start Planning Early – You may hope to go full term with your pregnancy, but don’t assume that will be the case. Start preparing for labor and delivery weeks or even months in advance. About 1 in 10 babies are born preterm, meaning they came at least four weeks early. Start getting ready for childbirth well in advance of your due date.
-
Discuss Birthing Options – Talk with your OB/GYN about different birthing options and which option you are considering. They’ll likely broach the topic during your prenatal appointments, but start thinking about what you want for you and your child. Where do you want to give birth, who do you want in the room and will you take an epidural if it’s available are all smart questions to begin considering.
-
Pack A Bag – Start packing your overnight bag so that you aren’t scrambling to find everything while you’re in labor. While you may still need to throw a few things in the bag when the big day arrives, you can have some clothes and toiletries in a bag ready to go at a moment’s notice. Again, get this packed sooner rather than later.
-
Learn The Signs Of Labor – Even though you’ve never experienced labor before, you’ll want to try and familiarize yourself with what symptoms suggest you’re in labor. We’re more than happy to go into detail about some of the signs that labor is imminent or already begun, like the loss of your mucus plug, your water breaking and contractions. We can also help you distinguish between labor contractions and false Braxton Hicks contractions.
-
Stick With Healthy Habits – We understand that you may feel the urge to nest in the days and weeks leading up to your due date, but try to stay active (within your doctor’s recommendations) and eat a healthy diet so that your body and your developing baby get the nutrients they need. Diet and exercise are two things you can control at a time when it may feel like everything is out of your control, and having healthy habits can make labor a little easier.
-
Consider A Birthing Class – Finally, consider signing up for a birthing class. Many women’s care clinics offer birthing classes or can point you in the direction of a great birthing class. They’ll cover a bunch of different topics during your class, and even if you don’t retain it all, the vast majority of expecting first-time parents say these classes are extremely beneficial. You’ll learn some things that will help to put your mind at ease or make the birthing process a bit easier.
If you want to work with a women’s care provider who can help you be as prepared as possible for the birth of your first child, look no further than the team at MetroPartners OBGYN. Whether this child is your first, last or somewhere in between, we’ll be with you every step of the way to make the process as comfortable as possible. For more information, or for answers to any questions you may have, reach out to our team today at (651) 770-3320.