I mean,…I don’t think you can ever be totally prepared for a labour.
This is my first pregnancy,…& I am wondering how I can prepare myself? mentally? physically? for labour?
I was thinking of getting myself a yoga video? some video relating for breathing techniques?
I do a bit of exercises (like eliptical machine workout, walking,…)
I am not sure if I should spend nearly $200 for prenatal classes? (that would include lamaze, techniques…) is it worth it?
Or, can I just simply read a book? do some yoga? maybe yoga for pregnant women?
What is the best way to prepare yourself?
How did you prepare yourself? what did you do that helped? or didn’t help?
Any advices? experience(s)?
Thanks! =) xoxo
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First thing: WATCH this awesome video called “Pregnant in America”.http://www.megavideo.com/?v=QTRRAG2A
Read all you can! I didn’t take any kind of lamaze or learn formal breathing techniques. I did know, rather instinctively, how to breath and relax. If you’re looking to spend that much money for a class, I would recommend you spend it on a doula instead.
Here is the national site for Doulas of North America. You can follow the links here to find a doula in your area. A doula will be your helped, comfort and advocate for you during your labor. If you have determined that you don’t want to have meds, doulas have been trained to assist you in unmedicated birth and help direct you to other, holistic comfort measures. They can also be invaluable with the hospital staff, to remind them of your wishes to have the least invasive birth. There are studies which show the presence of a doula cuts down on the use of pain meds and reduces incidents of c-section.
READ:
“A Good Birth, A Safe Birth : Choosing and Having the Childbirth Experience You Want” by Diane Kort
Find out what your hospital cesarean rate is. If it is high, read this book:
“Silent Knife: Cesarean Prevention and Vaginal Birth after Cesarean” by by Nancy Wainer Cohen and Lois J. Estner
Also read: “Immaculate deception: A new look at women and childbirth in America” by Suzanne Arms
And finally: “Childbirth without Fear: The Principles and Practice of Natural Childbirth” by Dr Grantly Dick-Read
This is the basics! Here’s another good book, though:
“Birthing from Within: An Extra-Ordinary Guide to Childbirth Preparation” by Pam England
I would also recommend, after you’ve done some homework, that you write a birth plan. You can search the term and find examples to copy from online. That way, you can make sure your doctor and all medical staff are aware of what you don’t want during your labor. It is really hard to speak, during labor, so that you can make your wishes known.
Trust yourself, your body to have the baby in the most natural, normal way. Be proactive about your care, YOU are the consumer here. When you are in hospital, you have the right to refuse ANY treatment or intervention proposed that you really don’t want! So, make sure youre wishes are known. If you aren’t getting straight answers from your doctor, consider finding another. You have that option as well! In that video, there is a couple who changed doctor just 2 wks before giving birth, because their first Dr said the woman had to have a c-section. Trust yourself and your instincts. YOU DO know what is best for you and your baby!
Good luck, take good care, and drink plenty of water.
Blessings,
R
Feel free to message me if you have any more questions. I’ve had seven children.
With this pregnancy we took some refresher childbirth classes which focused on breathing and coping techniques, as well as position changes. I also have read a lot of books and gone to a few websites. I have always gone to Babycenter since I was pregnant with my 10 yr old. I feel like education is the key in anything. If you know what your body is doing then you can understand it, if you understand it then you take the fear out of it which I believe helps you stay in control which for me helps with the pain. Best of Luck to you!
I don’t think you can ever be completely ready for childbirth. The hospital I delivered at offered free child birth classes and I would recommend them. I did keegel exercises daily. I had no idea what to expect but at 37 wekks I was induced due to high blood pressure. I was in labor 14 hours and 4 of that was with HARD pushing. I will never forget it. Both my mom and sister had reall easy and fast deliveries so you can’t even compare to what happened to your family members. Good luck!
My husband and I took a birth class together so we would both be prepared. If you do take a class, I would recommend you take one that also covers c-sections because you never know what will end up happening during labor and you might as well be as prepared as possible. I also read “What to Expect…” which was okay but it’s not the same as being able to ask questions in a class. Really, no matter what you do, you will still end up feeling clueless; but it never hurts to try anyway
Good luck!
I didn’t take any classes or pick up yoga or anything. I read up on what goes on during labor, and I asked my doctor and, especially, the nurses what to expect.
That was the extent of my preparation, and I did just fine.
the best advice i have ever got about parenting in general is “the best way to be prepared is to know that nothing you can do will ever prepare you enough.”
I have 4 babies and i think you can’t really prepare for labor or really ask for advice on how to prepare because i believe labor is like snowflakes….no 2 are alike…you have to just go with it and BREATHE.
knowledge is power! the more you know about the process and and possible interventions, the more confident you will be!
i think basic labor classes and videos would give you a pretty good preparation….and the yoga wouldnt hurt eiter it will help your muscles
I have 6 weeks left and I have read two books, Up the Duff and What to expect when expecting, these books give you a guide as well as stuff you already know but otherwise I don’t think you need to be any further prepared. I’m sure Yoga would be a great experience and could help but in the end you will do whatever is comfortable for you on the day regardless of what anyone tells you so try not to stress. I think the best way to look at labour is with the realisation that it’s going to happen. Regardless of how, when, where, it will happen and you will get through it!
All the best xx
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