What are ways to get ready for giving birth?

Question

This is my first baby! And I want to know all I can..
Also what should I be expecting from giving birth?

Answer 1

Read everything you can and when you get into the delivery room....forget it all. Reading it now will help you feel prepared and calm. Once you get in there you wont be able to really remember most of it and the stuff you do remember wont help. Your body knows what to do. It was made for this and you have trained people all around you. Trust me they will bark orders at you if you need it. Dont worry though.....a few weeks after giving birth you wont remember the pain. Your mind blocks it and you remember that it was the worst pain of your life but you wont for the life of you be able to remember what it felt like. Plus you have a beautiful person who will love you until they are 14. Then love you again at 19.

Answer 2

Stay in shape!! Having a baby is like running a marathon that you can't get out of trust me. Yoga, swimming, walking and a good diet will keep you in form. (Do not eat for 2) Everyone has a different labour but I will tell you this, you're never going to forget it so make sure you've got a good doctor(you can pick) and you take a tour of the ward you're going to deliver in so you know where you're going on that fateful day. Until then, "What to expect when you're expecting" is a bestselling book for a reason, so if you don''t have it already, get it! Have fun, it doesn't last forever even though some days it feels like it's going to.

Answer 3

I think the most important thing you can do is go into it with an open mind, no expectations except that the doctors and nurses know what they are doing and are there to help you! Have preferences for what you would like to happen (I wanted to go natural), but be prepared to change your mind if you think it would be best (I got an epidural about halfway through active labor, because going natural didn't seem as necessary as being able to rest and relax at 2 in the morning!) And really believe that your body will know what to do. If you are really in tune with your body, and can relax in between contractions, and concentrate on letting your body push the way that it feels natural to when it's time, it can make it easier than you would have thought to get that baby out!

Answer 4

You will discover that you are stronger than you ever imagined. Try to be as patient as possible. Babies come when they're ready. Work with the doctors and nurses as much as you can. Brace yourself: it will hurt. I don't know if you're planning on pain mediation, but if you're going natural, it will hurt. And be prepared to work through exhaustion. This is the most effort you will expend in the shortest time, but you won't care because it's the best thing in the whole world, and you will never adore anybody so much as you do this little person who just caused you so much pain.

Birth is no fun, but the payoff makes it all worthwhile.

Answer 5

Couple things will help, first remember to drink lots of water throughout your pregnancy to avoid early delivery and complications. Secondly, be sure to have a plan of how you're going to get to the hospital (it's VERY hard to drive when you're in labor). Third, taking lamaz class often puts a woman's mind at ease, but it doesn't teach you how to give birth. Fourth, advocate for yourself. Don't let people boss you around or tell you how you should/shouldn't be feeling. Every woman is different and every labor is different. If you feel like something is wrong, speak up! Fifth, defintely sign up for the post baby class for first time moms. I am still friends with two women I met in that class and my daughter is 6! It's wonderful to have support with people like you after you have the baby. Make sure that everyone who comes to visit you and baby in your new home brings dinner with them! My mom gave me that advice and NO ONE was offended. They were more than happy to bring dinner. If people offer help, don't turn it down!

Finally, get the book BabyWise by Gary & Marie Ezzo. It was a life saver for us!

One more piece of advice, be sure to set realistic expectations for yourself. Be in charge of your calendar. Babies take a lot of energy and you may not have that much energy (from lack of sleep) to be going all over kingdom come to visit people. Best of luck! Babies are a lot of work, but very rewarding.

Oh, one final thought, if you're feeling blue after the baby comes (around day 3 on), it' normal to feel very emotional after having a baby, but if it continues past two weeks, tell your doctor. Post partum depression is extremely common, and you don't have to face it all by yourself.

Answer 6

i agree take lots of classes... they help...
walk alot the last month if it is okay with the dr. this helps build the muscles you need to push, makes it go faster... the faster the better! My best friend walked 3-4 miles a day and she was done "pushing" in 25 minutes...way fast!
i have heard sex helps also...but honestly i didnt try it

Answer 7

When I was having kids 25 years ago everyone had to take childbirth classes, I highly recommend it. They show videos and teach you about your choices in painkillers, breathing techniques, how to hold and diaper your newborn, everything you need to know.

Answer 8

Go to the book store. I'm sure they have HUNDREDS of books on the subject, and you won't get a bunch of old wives tales like you will here.

Answer 9

Take a prenatal class.... breathing is so important.

If you're in early labour... get lots of rest and eat!!! Your body will take care of the rest.

Answer 10

just try to stay calm and focused, only allow calm soothing poeple in the room while you are in labor.... get the drugs.... and breathe....good luck.... its not the funnest thing in the world... take a good book, maybe poetry and have someone read to you.....