I am now 5 days overdue with this baby... so I thought I would take the time to remind myself of what to remember during labor and give myself a small pep talk. For all the childbearing women out there, you may want to reference this yourself a day before your due date. Or maybe even while you are in labor:). Just a few tips summed up into a small summary.
The key is to stay calm and to not get worked up. Bradley is correct about labor being a natural process. It is completely natural, and therefore there is nothing to get worked up about during labor. The baby is doing his/her job and your body is taking over and completing its job. All you need to do is allow you mind to float aimlessly and freely along for the ride. Don't think, there is nothing to think about during labor accept for this: "Deep breathe, relax my jaw/shoulders, keep my voice tone lowtake a sip of water (after the contraction completes)." Make sure you have Brett/hubby say this to you during every contraction, massage whatever pressure point you need (it is commonly your lower back), and pray in your ear during a contraction; if that calms you. The more you relax the faster things will go. Pushing is horrible, the last contractions are horrible and you will feel like you can't do it and that you are not going to make it to the end, but the end comes and Brett/hubby will remind you that you will and have to do it. You have no choice in the matter.
Some other side notes:
Make sure you let you pee out, even if it is not in a toliet, hold nothing in. A full bladder prevents the baby from descending.
When you push you should feel like you are pooping, that means you are doing it right.
Remember to keep your voice low and moan, groan, and grunt.
Don't get induced. Statistically you should not have your baby til your 41.5 weeks. (first baby, after that I don't know any stats)
Water is nature epidural. The shower is your best friend.
Never lay on your back during contractions, it encourages the wrong position for the baby (face up which is way more painful of a delivery and most people end up with and epidural or c-section) . Always be on all fours or standing and leaning on something. Your arms will be exhausted after labor, you will have a hard time holding the baby.
Right now try to never lounge in a chair (even though it feels so good). Try to sit on a birthing ball, be on all fours in front of the TV. For at least 30 mins a day. Always sit on the edge of a chair so your belly button is pointing at a downward angle. (If you were to shine a flashlight out from you belly button, the beam should be pointing downward.
Continue with your primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea, Shepherd's purse tea, prenatals, healthy eating,pregnancy exercises (kegals, squats, butterflies, pelvic rocking), and walking daily.
Your gonna do GREAT!,
The key is to stay calm and to not get worked up. Bradley is correct about labor being a natural process. It is completely natural, and therefore there is nothing to get worked up about during labor. The baby is doing his/her job and your body is taking over and completing its job. All you need to do is allow you mind to float aimlessly and freely along for the ride. Don't think, there is nothing to think about during labor accept for this: "Deep breathe, relax my jaw/shoulders, keep my voice tone lowtake a sip of water (after the contraction completes)." Make sure you have Brett/hubby say this to you during every contraction, massage whatever pressure point you need (it is commonly your lower back), and pray in your ear during a contraction; if that calms you. The more you relax the faster things will go. Pushing is horrible, the last contractions are horrible and you will feel like you can't do it and that you are not going to make it to the end, but the end comes and Brett/hubby will remind you that you will and have to do it. You have no choice in the matter.
Some other side notes:
Make sure you let you pee out, even if it is not in a toliet, hold nothing in. A full bladder prevents the baby from descending.
When you push you should feel like you are pooping, that means you are doing it right.
Remember to keep your voice low and moan, groan, and grunt.
Don't get induced. Statistically you should not have your baby til your 41.5 weeks. (first baby, after that I don't know any stats)
Water is nature epidural. The shower is your best friend.
Never lay on your back during contractions, it encourages the wrong position for the baby (face up which is way more painful of a delivery and most people end up with and epidural or c-section) . Always be on all fours or standing and leaning on something. Your arms will be exhausted after labor, you will have a hard time holding the baby.
Right now try to never lounge in a chair (even though it feels so good). Try to sit on a birthing ball, be on all fours in front of the TV. For at least 30 mins a day. Always sit on the edge of a chair so your belly button is pointing at a downward angle. (If you were to shine a flashlight out from you belly button, the beam should be pointing downward.
Continue with your primrose oil, raspberry leaf tea, Shepherd's purse tea, prenatals, healthy eating,pregnancy exercises (kegals, squats, butterflies, pelvic rocking), and walking daily.
Your gonna do GREAT!,
Liv
wow, i'm overwhelmed..... =)
ReplyDeletei'll be looking to you when my time comes someday!
Praying Liv! And you are right...you are going to do GREAT!!
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great Brett and Liv! Love you guys and praying. God and Baby know the right time. ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the long wait! But hopefully you're somewhat enjoying the "resting phase.":) I'm praying for you, and can't wait to hear the news.
ReplyDeleteGreat attitude Liv! :) We're praying for you 4 during this time. :)
ReplyDeleteoh, i'm so bad at waiting for anything. I've been thinking about you guys. I told myself that the longer the baby waited the faster my labor would go...may not have been true but it helped me mentally. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks all of my favorite girls! All of your encouragement means so much! That is a really good way of looking at it An.... Even if you dont think it is true :).
ReplyDelete