Are you one of those preggers who fears and worries about the day of delivery? You’ve heard stories of pain and extended labor hours that you now have constant nagging thoughts of how yours will be. The fact is, you can start making preparations that will guarantee a reduction, if not total elimination of the difficulties that could arise when it’s time to push.
Trust us to always bring such helpful information to you.
Put your worries to rest with these important tips that will help you have an easier delivery.
Keep Yourself Fit
You should do this whether you’re pregnant or not as it helps you stay healthy, strengthens your immune system and increases the quality of life you live. But as it relates to pregnancy and delivery, keeping fit through trimesters will help you have short labor. This is because staying fit also builds your capacity and ability to endure the rigors of labor both mentally and physically.
Another benefit is that your abdomen and perineum muscles will not suffer as much wear and tear as it would have if you didn’t stay fit. Speak with your doctor or midwife about this. They will prescribe the relevant routines and/or prenatal exercise classes you could attend.
Delivery Classes
They are also called Childbirth classes. Here, they take you through the why’s, how’s, and when’s of the different stages of pregnancy and delivery so that you’re familiar with what’s happening and what to expect. This helps eliminate anxiety and fear as these could make things more difficult on that day.
If you’re okay with it, you could attend the classes at your family hospital otherwise look around for Delivery classes you’re comfortable with. The best ones are those that are few in number (about 10 couples) and have a verifiably certified instructor. Adequate attention can be given to each couple’s questions and peculiar cases.
Mind The Munchies
As you draw close to your ‘D’ day, you have to be careful about what you eat. You will certainly feel the munchies, but do not dance to the tune of your hunger. Experts say that it will be better to stay away from engorging yourself with foods that are hard to digest or fatty foods as they bring on waves of nausea/dizziness when active labor sets in. Instead, eat light and healthy snacks and drink a lot of clean water/clear fluids.
Let your caregivers know if you’re feeling thirsty or dehydrated before labor as having to administer intravenous fluids during delivery extends the hours you spend in labor.
Shower Hour
During labor, any hour is perfect for a warm shower and even more when your muscles start to ache. And they WILL ache a lot because of the extra weight. Warm showers will help soothe those hurting muscles and ease the discomfort and pains of contractions. Direct the showerhead so that the sprays hit the spot where the pain/ache is most intense if you want quick relief.
In the same way, soaking in a tub of warm water works wonders during the minutes before you go in for delivery. You can change positions so that you’re comfortable in the tub and also direct the flowing water to the small of your back: this seems to be the spot where most women feel the ache. This also aids in quick dilation and thus quick delivery.
Stay Upright
Sit upright, stand upright, squat or kneel if you feel like it -just make sure you stay upright and avoid lying down. There is some science to this recommendation. Lying down could make you feel nauseous while staying upright allows gravity to push the baby down, towards your cervix. As the baby’s head presses down on your cervix, it makes you dilate faster. This shortens the time you spend pushing. Avoid the temptation to lie down before you go into the delivery room.
Breathe
Rapid and irregular breathing during labor increases the loss of body fluids; this is not good for you or the baby. As we mentioned earlier, labor will be extended if they have to supply fluids intravenously. It will help greatly if you take deep breaths. Apart from saving body fluid, it will help you relax and stay focused on pushing the baby out.
Deep and slow breaths also help supply oxygen to your baby. Holding your breath will make you dizzy so remember to breathe.