1. My #1 for birth preparation is learning and thinking about what you want in your birth. We all want healthy babies, and after that you may want to ask yourself some questions and see what you need to learn about.
Do you have a philosophy or way of thinking about birth already?
Do you feel informed?
Do you have the evidence you need to make the best decisions for yourself and for your baby?
Do you have a health condition that needs special attention?
How does the evidence and your own health mesh with your philosophy toward birth?
What are your options in your community for provider type and birth place? Would you travel for the care you would like?
Then seek out the answers. Here are my tips on where to get information.
Select a care provider who shares your philosophy and respects your choices. Look at all your options and interview care providers to find the right healthcare provider for you. And don't be afraid to change providers if you realize you're not a good fit for each other.
Prioritize healthy eating. Eating for two actually requires about 300 extra calories per day for most pregnant people. Get enough protein to build your little human's body without taxing your own. Eat plenty of plant food (veggies, fruits, legumes like beans and lentils) your fiber to keep regular and get your vitamins and minerals from food. Choose whole grain for greater satisfaction and longer lasting feeling of fullness. Take a whole food-based prenatal vitamin with folate to support healthy development.
Drink water! The healthiest people drink 13 cups of water a day during pregnancy. We can get by with less, as food contains a lot of water, but to stay regular, avoid bladder and urinary tract infections, and feel your best, 2-3 liters/pints of water is a good place to aim.
Move your body 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Finding the motivation when you're nauseous or tired may be hard, but the movement pays off in so many ways. Mood can improve. It may actually energize you. Folks tend to feel better toward the end of their pregnancy when they get exercise throughout. It's easier to keep moving when you get closer to labor. A little prenatal yoga can be great for aches. Walking with a friend, maybe another pregnant friend, can provide the cardio exercise you need while giving an outlet for thoughts and opportunity to socialize.
Involve yourself in a pregnant/postpartum support group. If you don't have one locally, ask your provider if they could host one or consider starting one in your community. It's helpful to have people to talk with who are going through pregnancy, too. Pregnancy and postpartum groups are fantastic for baby plans, meal trains after birth, the most up-to-date baby product reviews, parenting ideas, and camaraderie.
Chiropractic care and spinning babies!
To get ready for birth, visits to a chiropractor, especially one trained in the Webster technique can improve your alignment and make baby's positioning better for birth. The Webster technique is used specifically to align the pelvic bones and can alleviate some of the discomfort that comes with pregnancy.
Spinning Babies is a program developed by a midwife Gail Tulley to help with babies' positioning. There's a wealth of information and exercises on the website and parent classes are available in some communities. I've seen these moves make all the difference to move labor along.
#8 Birth Classes
Learn about birth. Even with a knowledgeable provider, spinning babies, doing some research on your own, it's worthwhile to attend a birth class and develop a firm foundation in case you have any choices to make during labor and to have coping skills for the work of labor. It's great for birth companions, partners or other parents to learn what they can do to support you during labor too.
9. Doula support
Wonder if you need a doula because you have a midwife? Plan a home birth? Took a birth class? Plan to get an epidural? A doula can be a valuable part of your birth team in most any birth situation or plan. And now, doulas are covered by Medi-Cal so you can get support that improves your chances of a low intervention safe birth without paying so much out of pocket.
A doula is a trained birth support person who focuses on the non-medical aspects of birth. Doulas help pregnant folks and people on your birth team whether they're your partner, parent or pumpkin by:
demonstrating coping techniques
providing hands-on support
giving partners a chance to take a nap or care for an older child
taking pictures
reminding you to ask questions about your care
help you with your birth plan.
by being there for you
postpartum support at home
Doulas can be helpful in all settings and with any and all settings and with any type of provider. Having a doula reduces chances of interventions in labor and increases satisfaction with birth.
If you don't know where to start in looking for a doula, try Doula Match.
10. Know your power.
Ask questions in your pregnancy, labor and in your postpartum. Advocate for yourself by sharing your thoughts and feelings and making your choices with information. Only invite people to the birth who you can be your most vulnerable with. If you need something, let your birth team know, even if what you need is hard to say. You have the right to make informed choices in your care, to do so you may need to ask question which can be hard in labor.
Birth and becoming a parent, whether the first or the fifth time are major events in your life. It's your experience as well as your baby's, and that's important. Parenting begins before your baby is even born while you make choices about your health care. Empowerment comes from within. So don't hesitate to speak up.
Sorry, I need a number 11 because with all the planning for birth and baby, the postpartum recovery is often overlooked!
11. Have a postpartum plan. Invite people to join in a meal train before you have your baby. They can sign up to bring meals to you and your family while you recover and adjust to life after the birth through a website called Meal Train. Make a list of chores people can take care of when they visit. Plan on focusing on your own recovery from giving birth and caring for your baby during the first week or two after giving birth. Many people are surprised by how consuming it is just to take care of themselves and their babies after birth.
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