Let’s face it, life happens. Baby’s may not come when they are expected to come. Complications in pregnancy may throw off your plans. There are so many things that are beyond your control. But be reassured that there are many things you can do, even now, to ensure the best outcome for your hospital birth. Here, I share with you 5 ways to prepare for the best hospital birth experience.
make sure everyone is in on the fine details
Imagine how your perfect birth would be. Go over your birth plan in detail. Take the time to this. Don’t sleep on it. Make sure every detail is spelled out.
Most hospitals will give you a sheet to pick out what you prefer on baby’s birth day. If you are not offered one ask for it! If you’re not sure what you would like, discuss these details with your birth support person, your doula, nurse.
I cannot stress the importance of this because, I can assure you that at some point during labor, you eventually start to not care anymore. I’m talking about when your body’s primary concern is needing the baby to come out. This is the point when you need to have previously communicated to every member on your team to know exactly how you would like things to go.
you need a doula
Get a Doula. A doula is a woman trained to guide and support you during labor. Get to know the doula and get very comfortable with her. I would start this process as soon as possible. Like for instance, your first trimester, if possible. But even if you can only get your doula a few weeks out.
A good one will be an invaluable asset, especially if it’s your first time.
I ended up finding one about 2 weeks out because everyone (but her) was booked. I guess there really was “something in water” that January…
Pick your doula’s brain about the outcomes you want for instance vaginal birth or c-section and how to get there. However, keep in mind that though she is experienced in child birth support, she is not medically trained.
Pack your bag well in advance
Make sure your hospital bag is packed and ready to go. Maybe even keep it in the vehicle that you’ll be going to hospital in.
Consult a good packing list, one that matches your style. Doing this even a few weeks ahead of your due date will make sure that you are prepared if baby decides to opt for an early entrance.
Labor at home
Learn how your contractions may feel. In your first pregnancy, you may not know how to recognize them. You need to learn what to look out for. It could feel like cramps, you could feel it in your back, your hips your legs. Spoiler alert – the labor process is nothing like the movies show.
Time your contractions.
That way you’ll know if those weird sensations are contractions if there is a consistency that intensifies. There are apps that can help you with this!
Stay at home as long as you can.
Just because you feel weird and may need to catch your breath periodically, does not mean that the baby is about to come out. So, when is a good point to go the hospital? Go when every time you have a contraction, it lasts for one whole minute and your contractions are consistently about 5 minutes apart for about one hour.
Learn the sequence of events
I would advise you to gather a fair amount of knowledge about the processes before you begin to labor.
There are instructional videos that break down the what happens during birth during vaginal birth and what to expect for a cesarean section birth.
If you’re planning to have a vaginal birth, understand what the ring of fire is and look into the accounts of other mothers about the complete experience of when baby is coming out. If there is pain during childbirth, the ring of fire probably would be the climax of that pain. It is described as the intense experience of the head of the baby as it begins to come out into the birth canal.
All of your laboring experience prior, has been building up to this moment. So even though this feels intense, relax.
Breathe.
Personally, I wish I had never heard the words, “push, push, push” at this point. That word along with the encouragement of the entire room, made me bare down and push with every I had in me. I thought the that the harder I pushed the sooner I would meet my baby…
Do not bear down and push just to get the baby out.
Just follow your body’s lead.
You may be tired. Ready to get your labor over. You may be desperately just longing for a glance at your baby. But, save your pelvic floor and your energy. Baby is on the way out so let your body take over. There are so many videos to watch on Youtube that detail personal accounts of these experiences. It will give you a good feel of the process.
summary
Details, support, preparedness, being knowledgeable about what is happening and getting in touch with your body will help you handle your transition to motherhood gracefully.
Thanks for reading and I wish you the best birth possible! If you’ve given birth already, I would love for you to comment on something that you think could be added that helped it go more smoothly.