Preparing for child birth is an exciting time. After many weeks of waiting, it is nearly time to meet your newborn baby. However, it is also a scary time and the thought of labour and child birth fills many people with dread. Here are some tips to help you prepare for child birth.
Prepare in advance
Child birth is a very scary prospect for many women, especially if they are having their first baby, but preparing in advance and finding out what exactly happens during labour and child birth will help you to get your head around what is going to happen and help you to mentally and physically prepare for the birth.
During your pregnancy you will be offered care by an antenatal team. If you have questions and concerns, make sure you talk to your midwife or your GP. They will be able to address any issues or concerns and help put your mind at ease.
You can read about child birth and labour in books and pregnancy magazines. There are also DVDs you can watch, which some women find very helpful.
Antenatal classes
Antenatal classes can be really helpful, especially for first time mothers. Make sure you sign up for classes well in advance, as they can fill up quickly and become oversubscribed. All women in the UK should have access to ten antenatal classes but, this is dependent on availability and you must sign up for the classes in advance.
The classes focus on a range of topics, including:
- Health during pregnancy
- Preparing for labour
- Tips for coping with pain during labour
- Relaxation techniques
- Breathing exercises
- Fitness during pregnancy and after birth
- Birthing choices
- Caring for a newborn baby (information about feeding, changing nappies, sterilising bottles, for example)
- Health after child birth
Preparing your home
The third trimester can be very hectic and you may be struggling with backache and generally feeling fed-up, so it is a good idea to be organised and prepare your home for the new arrival in advance. Many people worry about doing this as there is still a risk of something going wrong with the pregnancy but preparing around 10 weeks in advance of the birth will save you time and stress during the final weeks. You needn’t go mad and start decorating and stockpiling baby clothes, nappies and bottles, but it will be helpful to get yourself organised with enough supplies to last you a couple of weeks so that you aren’t running around when you first bring your baby home.
Packing a bag
As your due date nears, it is a good idea to pack a bag so you can just grab it quickly when the signs of labour start to appear. Your bag should contain:
- Changes of clothes – Try to make sure you have comfortable, loose clothes that will not be tight or restrictive during labour
- Comfortable, supportive bras – If you are planning to breastfeed, you will need nursing bras
- Sanitary towels
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Changes of underwear
- Dressing gown, pyjamas or nighties and slippers
- Clothes for the baby
- Nappies
- A blanket, hat and soft cotton mittens for the baby
- Books, magazines and music to help relax you and pass the time
