How to prepare for labor
Preparing for labor and delivery can be both exciting and exhausting. While you can't foresee every detail of what lies ahead, you can take proactive steps throughout your pregnancy to increase your chances of having a smooth labor and a positive experience.
Although there is no instruction manual for preparing for your journey to motherhood, you might find labor and delivery a little easier if you keep the following tips in mind. Whether it’s your first time giving birth or your last, we put together a list of ideas on how to prepare for labor to help you feel calm and confident in the delivery room.
#1 Take birthing classes
Taking birthing classes can increase your confidence during childbirth. Taught by medical professionals, these classes are designed to educate you and your partner with the specific information needed to help you through labor. Below are examples of topics covered in a standard birthing class:
Maintaining a balanced lifestyle
Nutrition
Signs of labor
Care in the delivery room
Coping with pain and reducing pain
Natural childbirth
Types of birthing interventions
Homeopathic care and complementary medicine during pregnancy and delivery
The role of the birthing companion in the Labor and Delivery Department
Your initial bonding experience with your newborn
Nursing your newborn
The delivery bed
Returning home
Understanding all the recommendations from a trusted medical source will give you the tools you need to set you up for success. Be sure to research all of the different birthing classes offered in your area to find the one that suits you best. For mamas who feel empowered and calmed by having all the information, there are also plenty of books you can read to prepare you for labor. We put together a list of essential parenting books for newborns to help you on every step of your parenting journey.
#2 Set expectations with your support system
Remember that your support system is there to help you through this experience. Make sure to share any concerns you have with your birth partner. It’s important to address these concerns together to align on expectations and strengthen your trust. Being honest with your birth partner will also prepare them for how to best support you when it's showtime, so you can focus your energy on yourself and your little one. Whether your birth partner is your spouse, a Doula, your best friend, or your Mom, ensuring you’re in sync before going into labor is essential.
#3 Pack a bag
Because your due date is only an estimate, it’s recommended to begin packing a hospital bag in the eighth month of your pregnancy. This will ensure you have everything you need ready to go, just in case you go into labor early. Gather all of the items that bring you comfort plus anything else you might need. We put together a list to make it easier for you:
ID card, insurance card, and other important documents
Your favorite pajamas or sweats
Bathrobe
Change of clothes
Sweatshirt
Socks and slippers
A cozy pillow
Lotion or massage oil
Toothbrush and toiletries
Phone and charger
Snacks and a water bottle
Books to read
Laptop or Tablet
Maternity pads
Underwear
Baby blanket
Diapers
Wipes
#4 Focus on relaxing
Staying calm in the months leading up to giving birth can help you reduce stress during labor. In fact, studies have shown that reducing stress can even lower complications during and after childbirth. Because calming your nerves is easier said than done, we recommend practicing relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing to help you reduce any stress you may be feeling with ease. Maintaining consistent relaxation practices like these can also help you manage labor pain and discomfort more effectively.
Self care activities like taking a bath, treating yourself to a massage, doing light exercise, and getting lots of sleep are great ways to stay relaxed during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the types of exercise and massages that are ideal for you, and carve out the time you need to really unwind. Keep in mind that the benefits of relaxation also extend beyond labor. By incorporating relaxation practices into your routine, you’re preparing yourself for postpartum recovery, too.
#5 Exercise
Exercise is a crucial element in preparing for labor, offering numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Depending on what your doctor says, swimming, prenatal yoga, walking, and using a birthing ball are all great workouts to prepare you for labor. Swimming is an especially low-impact exercise that takes the strain off your joints, making it ideal for pregnant women.
A birthing ball is also a useful tool for pregnant women because it can relieve pain and pressure in your back, pelvic area, and tailbone. It’s recommended to use a birthing ball regularly throughout your pregnancy for hip and back exercises like the following:
Back and shoulder stretch: Position yourself on all fours with the birthing ball in front of you. Extend your arms over the ball and lean forward from your knees. This movement should create a stretch in your shoulders and upper back.
Side stretch: Sit on the birthing ball and lift one arm overhead. Gently lean your upper body to the side. Repeat on the other side. This stretch engages your core muscles, providing a mild workout to help you maintain balance.
Practicing these kinds of movements can really help you reduce and manage pain during labor.
#6 Enjoy the nesting process
Focus on the positive emotions you may be experiencing like excitement, joy, and curiosity to meet your baby! Putting energy towards getting ready can help you reduce stress and anxiety and enable you to feel more prepared for what’s to come. Part of the process of preparation is setting up a nursery. Recruit your support system to help you, and take pleasure in designing the space. From diapers and wipes to cribs and baby monitors, it can be rewarding to see your little one’s room gradually come to life.
In addition to building a nursery, you’re going to want to start gathering the essentials.The one thing you surely want to have is the perfect car seat — you’ll need it to bring your baby home! With the Doona Car Seat & Stroller, you’ll be able to easily return from the hospital with confidence. In the meantime, we wish you a happy healthy pregnancy, and an easy labor!
At Doona, we’re always trying our very best to make parenting simpler for every family. Which is also why we’ve created our innovative and revolutionary Doona Car Seat & Stroller which transforms from a car seat to a stroller in the click of a button; and Liki Trike — the most compact folding toddler trike on the market that grows alongside toddlers with five modes of use.
