You can prepare before and during your labour, keeping reading to learn expert tips on how!
Before labour -How to prepare physically?
Prepare throughout your pregnancy. Start with developing a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits. Try to eat a balanced diet including all food groups: carbs, protein and fat. Eat 5 a day ( 5 portions of fruit/veg), 2/3 litres of water, taking small sips throughout the day for better absorption. Keep active during your pregnancy even towards the end by doing light exercise unless recommended otherwise by your consultant.
Before labour-How to prepare mentally?
Pregnancy and labour are normal natural things so you should have a positive mindset towards them. There is no need to have a fixed birth plan. Go with the flow and don’t rule anything out. If you need pain relief ask for it, the baby dictates what happens. So if you have a strict birth plan already made and if the labour doesn’t go as planned, negative thought processes can happen which can hinder the release of hormones which are controlled subconsciously. Hence the whole progress can have a negative effect on labour and delivery.
During labour-How to prepare physically?
If you are in early labour you should ring your hospital for advice, COVID-19 has changed the way hospitals practise. Take a nice warm shower or bath before going to the hospital to relax your muscles and calm yourself. As the labour progresses you can do deep breathing exercises to relax and focus yourself. Do not panic, pain can be
managed. You can request anything from paracetamol to codeine injections, nitrous oxide gas or epidural. Do try to avoid epidural until you’re in established labour as taking it too soon can prolong the labour.
During labour- How to prepare mentally?
Concentrate on positive things, again remind yourself this is a natural process and you can do it.
The take home messages are:
-Be healthy, be positive and go with the flow as labour and delivery are natural things. You can do it!
It's a positive combination of mind, body and soul efforts.
*Disclaimer- all our advice is general and based on the limited information provided to us in each question- always consult your GP for advice and guidance if a problem persists*
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