Preparing for labor & delivery: 7 Top Tips for Moms-to-be

Preparing for labor and delivery is something that a lot of women will start to do a little later after finding out that they are pregnant. They may suddenly be hit with the reality that their is coming out of them one way or another and they have to be ready for that! 

Preparing for birth is an emotional, mental and physical exercise. Some would argue though that preparing for labor all begins in the mind. 

Not surprisingly, it is physical preparation that most expectant mothers work on first. 

How can I prepare my body for labour?

I have heard it said that women who have bad period pains are ready for labour because they are used to dealing with a high level of pain. I can neither confirm or deny that. However, I do believe that different women have different pain thresholds and it would therefore be difficult to measure just how much more pain you can handle as compared to the next woman. 

When it comes to preparing yourself for labour physically, you can certainly try the following. 

1. Find a great midwife. A good midwife will be able to answer the questions that you have about childbirth. They will also make you feel comfortable enough to ask any questions you may have regardless of how silly you think they are.
2. Learn to push. Pushing is a skill that must be learned before you go into labor. While some believe that it comes naturally, others would argue that it is best to learn how to push as it requires a certain technique. Knowing how to push might prevent tearing as well. 
3. Sleep. Never underestimate the power of sleep. Sleeping allows your body to heal from any stresses on it and therefore it is in better shape to take on the hard work of labor.  
4. Eating healthy. Taking in food that appropriately nourishes your body is important to ensure that it is being built up in the right way. You need the kind of food that provides you with the energy required for the entire labour and delivery process. 
5. Learn to breathe. Like pushing, and intertwined with it, breathing correctly during labour is also arguably a skill. Being able to breathe correctly during labor will help you in pain management. 
6. Relaxation. It is important to sleep. It is also important to find as many ways to de-stress as possible. It is vital during pregnancy to prevent going into premature labor, for example. As you go into labor, it is also important that you take a lot of intentional time to relax as that will put you in a refreshed state ready for labor. 

READ: How to relax before you give birth 

7. Brain training. Conditioning your brain for labor is doable. You can train your brain to look forward to a positive birthing experience. It is possible to manage your pain during labor by viewing the pain and contractions in a more positive light. 

Keep in mind that the steps above will help you to get your body ready for birth but they do not necessarily mean your labor will be quick. That will depend on several factors from anatomy to whether it is your first time giving birth or not but there are a few things you can do to help yourself have a faster birthing experience. 

READ: Signs your body is getting ready for labour

How to make your labour easier and faster

1. Get and stay fit. You might not want to hear it especially if pregnancy is tiring you out but exercise is key to preparing for labor and delivery. Feeling fit enough to get through your labor quickly is what you want. It can be as simple as trying to take a 15-20 minute walk everyday (under the advice of your doctor).
2. Eat right. The same way that you eat right to prepare your body for labor, it will also help you to get through your labor faster. This is because you will feel strong enough to do the hard work of labor. 
3. Consider a doula. Having the support of a doula during your labor and delivery could feel like a life-saving decision for you when you look back on it. Your communication with your doula during pregnancy helps you to understand childbirth better, thereby helping with preparing for birth. During the birth as well, having your doula with you is invaluable for having an advocate for you in a time when you might feel like you have very little control or are not being heard. They can help you speed up your birthing process by being the encouraging voice in your ear during childbirth.
4. Consider a water birth. Some moms who have had water births as well as normal births have said that their water births were easier and faster in comparison. 
5. Have a birth plan. A birth plan is good for you to be able to remind yourself of what it is that you have wanted for your childbirth from the beginning to the end of your pregnancy when you are in the labor ward. It will also speed up your child birth process if you have your wishes and needs written down where your medical team can find them easily. They will not need to ask you in the moment as it will all be written down. 

Of course, the above steps should be taken over a period of time. Do not expect to feel like your body is ready for childbirth when you start preparing for labor and delivery a week or a few days before your due date. 

When should I start preparing for giving birth?

Ideally, you should start preparing yourself for childbirth as soon as you find out you are pregnant and have given yourself some time to get used to the idea of it. Preparing for labor, particularly mentally, can take some time depending on your current emotional state and also physical state so it is important to start as early as possible. 

What can first time moms expect during labour?

For an idea of what to expect as a first time mom when you are in labor, READ: 17 Things I wish I knew before going into labor.