Getting ready - practical preparations
As well as preparing for labour and birth, there are many practical
things you need to consider before labour actually starts.
Music
According to doula and music therapist Carol Ann Browning, music during
labour can help you relax and deal more effectively with the pain of contractions.
However it is worth giving some consideration to your labour playlist.
- Choose something positive and relaxing that you like. Anything too
vibrant and rocky could have your adrenaline pumping and after several
hours of labouring you might be more inclined to throw the CD player
out of the window. On the other hand, something too relaxing could have
your birth partner dozing in the chair while you do all the work!
- Have a few selections. You may get fed up of any one CD so it's worth
having a choice. And make sure your birthing partner knows where your
music is.
- Listen to the music before the birth during routine daily activities
as this has been shown to condition a more positive birth experience.
- Make sure everyone knows that you decide what you're going to listen
to and when.
For more on music and birth see Sam Pope's article
Food and drink
Caroline Flint , midwife, believes that woman, and partners, need nourishment
during labour. In the first birth
centre she founded in the UK, the kitchen is fully equipped for feasts
if necessary! However, you may or may not want to eat during labour but
it's worth being prepared anyway.
For you
- Light, easily ready snacks
- A bottle or jug of your favourite drink (other than wine!) in the
fridge. Try to have it ready made so it just needs pouring rather than
preparing
- Some bendy straws - you've got enough to do without having to lift
your head to drink!
For others
- Your midwife, birthing partner and possibly children will all need
to eat too
- Have meals ready in the freezer for de-frosting or microwaving.
For when baby is born
- Perhaps you can arrange for someone to provide some sandwiches for
you, or perhaps your partner can make them during the early stages of
labour
- If you're planning to bottle feed, ensure you have a few bottles
ready to make up the feeds.
Props
There may be any number of things you want with you whilst labouring
so it's best to get them ready before the big day arrives.
- Aromatherapy oils. Many women enjoy gentle massage, especially in
the early stages of labour. Aromatherapist Sonia Griffiths says, "Essential
oils in the delivery suite can both disinfect the atmosphere and create
a relaxing ambience." However, she recommends you check first which
oils are safe to use in labour.
- Birthing balls. If you are planning to use one of these, make sure
you get it early and practice using it.
- Blankets, sheets and something waterproof to protect the carpets.
Make sure your birthing partner knows where these are.
- Pain relief. If you are using TENS, make sure you have it ready and
that your birthing partner knows how to use it. Practice before the
big day
Birthing partner
Not everyone wants to have the baby's father as their birthing partner
and not every dad wants to be there! You need to know who you want with
you during labour and birth, and you need to know that they will be available.
Have you considered a doula? Read our article on the
difference a doula can make.
- Talk it through with your partner and decide who will be your birth
companions.
- If you are having your children with you, it's important that there
is another adult, other than your birth companion, who can look after
the children. Brief them on what you want them to do and see, or where
they can take them if necessary.
- Make sure everyone who is to be involved with the birth is aware
of your plans and that your midwife knows who you want at the birth.
Third stage
You may not have given much thought to the third stage of labour when
you deliver the placenta, but if you want a natural third stage, without
the use of drugs, then you need to make sure your midwife is aware of
this. By the time your baby is born it will be too late to suddenly mention
you want a natural third stage. For more information look at our information
on the third stage of labour.
Birth pools
If you are planning on using a birth pool at home, then you and your
birth companion should try at least one practice run at assembling it
and filling it ready for when you can get in during your labour. You really
don't want to be pacing while your birth partner tries to figure out how
to use the pool! To find out more about water birth click here
Emergency bag
Even though you want a home birth, there are occasions when things mightn't
go completely to plan and you need to be transferred to hospital. This
can happen before, during or after labour and it's a good idea to have
an emergency bag packed for such an occasion. Find out what you need in
What
you should pack
Where to next?
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