Pregnancy is an exciting time for most women. You get to spend your time with the person you love most and look forward to bringing a child of your own. While it might not be the most ideal time for you, the changes in your body are sure to come with it. From the hormones to the physical changes, your body is going to be under a lot of stress. It is important to know what this means, so you can plan accordingly and prepare yourself for the changes.
The natural process of labor can be a bit challenging for most women. You may feel anxious and stressed out by the whole idea of giving birth. However, with the right preparation, you can make labor go by much faster and with less pain. Here are some tips that will help you ease your way through your pregnancy and ease the transition into labor.
Learn basic breathing techniques
One of the most important steps to take in preparation for labor is learning how to breathe. Breathing techniques can help you keep calm during a stressful time in your life. There are many different breathing techniques that can be used in labor, but the three most common are the Lamaze method, the use of a visual cue like watching your breath come and go, and deep breathing.
Don’t overeat before your delivery
If you are pregnant, then you most likely have an increased appetite. It is normal for pregnant women to have a higher calorie intake than the recommended and unfortunately, this can lead to weight gain. With the additional weight, labor will take longer and will be more difficult. So what should you do?
One thing that you can do is try to limit your calories before labor. You don’t want to overeat because it can cause you to retain water which will make matters worse in the end. Try eating smaller portions or waiting till after your delivery before you indulge in those cravings.
Another option for limiting food intake during pregnancy is by drinking lots of water. Water actually does a lot of good for pregnant women and their babies; it helps clear toxins from your body and also helps with dehydration.
Walk as often as you can
One of the best ways to prepare for a faster labor delivery is to make sure you are moving around as often as possible. When you walk, your uterus contracts and this helps your body get ready for childbirth. The more you move, the stronger your uterine muscles will become. Even if it means going on short walks around the block, it is important to start doing them now in order to get your body ready.
Meditate
There are many ways to prepare for labor and delivery. One major way is through meditation. With meditation, you have the ability to take some time out of your day to focus on your breathing. This can help you relieve stress and anxiety, which will only make labor easier for you.
Walk in the shower
One of the best things you can do to get ready for labor is to take a nice, hot shower. Showering will help your muscles relax, which will make it much easier for you to give birth. Plus, it’s always nice to be clean after all the blood and sweat that happens during labor!
If you are having contractions or experiencing intense pain while showering, don’t forget that you can also use some essential oils to help ease the pain. Lavender essential oil has been shown to reduce anxiety and make people more relaxed when they smell it. If you’re nervous about labor, add a few drops of lavender oil into your bath or rub on some diluted lavender oil onto your skin.
Stay hydrated during labor
When you are pregnant, it is very important to stay hydrated. Your body will call for more fluids now that you are pregnant. You should try to drink about 8 glasses of water each day for best results. The amount of water you need can vary between women; some may need more and some may need less. The one thing that is true is that you will need to drink more water than usual in order to stay healthy during labor. Drinking plenty of fluids will allow your uterus to contract properly and shorten the duration of your labor.
Wear supportive shoes
Wearing supportive shoes is a good idea for pregnant woman. You might not be used to the extra weight and it can cause some pain in your back. Supportive shoes will protect your feet from any possible foot strain and reduce the chances of foot swelling, which can make you more comfortable.
Conclusion
Labor can be painful, but it doesn’t have to be long and drawn out. These simple tips can help you have a shorter, easier labor.
1. Take time to learn basic breathing techniques. This will help you stay in control of your body and your breathing and will allow you to maximize the oxygen going to your muscles as you work through new contractions.
2. Don’t overeat before your delivery! This may sound counterintuitive, but many women want to do everything they can to make their labor more comfortable. Unfortunately, overeating can make labor more difficult by making your stomach larger and less able to move around during contractions.
3. Walk as often as you can! Staying active during labor can help you keep your mood up, limit the amount of pain medication you need, and help the baby descend faster (and thus shorten your labor).
4. Meditate! This is a great way to relax and regain your focus during labor. If you find that you need to take a break from active labor, try meditating for just 10 or 15 minutes.
5. Walk in the shower! Walking in the shower can be a great way to stay in motion and have some privacy. Showering will relax your muscles, making giving delivery much simpler.
6. Stay hydrated during labor! Drink plenty of water to help your uterus contract properly and speed up your labor.
7. Wear supportive shoes! Supportive shoes protect your feet from potential foot strain and lower the likelihood of foot swelling, making you more comfortable. It makes you feel warm too because the delivery room is usually cold.
Read my article on must haves for the last trimester on pregnancy.
