There is nothing like growing a tiny human in your body and bringing life into the world. While there are multiple resources available on the subject of pregnancy and giving birth, you can never be fully prepared for what is to come, as everyone has their own unique set of experiences. You do, however, need to consider a few things before the priceless moment of holding your little one in your arms for the first time. Let’s dive into some of these to help ease any potential emotional, mental or physical anxieties you may be facing.
Birthing options
One of the biggest concerns during pregnancy is thinking about whether you’re going to go through with a vaginal delivery or a c-section. Although there are other childbirth options, these are the most common. While you don’t have complete control over which route to go when it’s time to give birth, it is advisable to have a plan.
If your pregnancy isn’t high risk, you could opt for a vaginal delivery which boasts a quicker and less painful recovery time of approximately 2-6 weeks compared to 6-8 weeks for a c-section. However, if you’ve had a previous c-section or are expecting multiples, coupled with a few other factors, you might have to go the surgical route and deliver via c-section. The key is to be aware of the different types of deliveries, decide which will be best for you and your baby with the help of your medical team, and remain flexible as anything can happen during labor.
​Getting ready for B-Day
When it comes to preparing for the arrival of your little bundle, or bundles in the case of multiples, you can never be too prepared. As mentioned earlier, there are numerous sources of information available. It is, however, important to consume content that applies to you as opposed to going down a rabbit hole of reading every pregnancy book you can get your hands on or watching every YouTube video that speaks to the topic of pregnancy and labor. Doing this might just leave you feeling more overwhelmed and spark even more uncertainties than when you began. Instead, try to be conscious of the information you expose yourself to and consider taking a quality-over-quantity approach.
Education
An excellent way to prepare for birth and life with a newborn would be to attend antenatal sessions, also known as birthing or prenatal classes. Partaking in these can ease anxieties about pregnancy and labor. Many courses are taught by experienced nurses, some of whom have completed accelerated BSN programs or similar qualifications that specialise in maternal and infant health. Antenatal classes were conventionally taught in a physical setting, but there are now also options to take them online if you prefer.
Physical preparedness
Keeping fit, eating healthy and staying hydrated are important in general, but even more crucial when you’re growing a human life in your body. Exercise and diet can set the tone for how your delivery goes when your little one is ready to make their appearance. This is not to say you need to go hard at the gym or avoid cheeseburgers entirely (because with pregnancy comes cravings), but remember that everything you do should be in moderation. If you’re unsure about safe workout plans or healthy meals to consume, there are experts such as physical trainers or dietitians from whom you can seek help.
You should refrain from any form of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy as these pose great dangers to the health of your unborn child. Everything you put into your body could impact your baby, so be sure to check medication labels or consult with a medical professional before consuming meds, even if it’s just headache pills. On the flip side, don’t forget to get a good dose of those daily prenatal vitamins.
Logistics
The last thing you would want to do is be running around trying to figure out what you need or where to go, or how to get there after your water has broken. Even if you’re the most ‘go with the flow’, ‘we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it’ kinda person, it would be wise to have the following items planned out before the big day arrives:
A hospital bag: This should be a grab-and-go pre-packed piece of luggage that will need to be brought along with you on your trip to the hospital. Even if you’re planning to do a home birth, it is a good idea to pack a bag in case you need to be rushed to hospital. It should include everything you need, such as important documents, clothing, toiletries, sanitary pads, maternity undies, etc. as well as things for baby like onesies, blankets, diapers, feeding bottles, and so on. Some hospitals provide most of these items, but it is wise to pack your own.
Support people: Make sure that the person or people you want in the room with you during what might be the most painful moments of your life are always reachable. Keep them updated regularly about how you’re feeling so that they can also prepare themselves to give you the support you need, when you need it most.
Transport: This might seem like a tiny factor in the greater scheme of things, but it is crucial. Again, assuming you’re not doing a home delivery, it would be wise to establish who will be responsible for getting you to the hospital. Another great hack would be to plan the route to the hospital during both peak and off-peak times of day so you can establish the fastest way there. Last, but certainly not least, be sure to have a car seat all set up for your little ones’ first trip home.
Considering the above, bringing life into the world is incredibly overwhelming for many reasons. It often feels like there’s so much to do in so little time. When it all feels like it’s too much, remember to breathe and practice being kind to yourself because you’re doing the best you can to prepare for the arrival of your little one – you’ve got this.
