When did you physically start getting ready for labor?

Question

Hey ladies, FTM to be here, I am currently 29 weeks, a week into third trimester 😭💔 I’m so sad it’s almost over!! Anyways so I’m super scared for labor. Like terrified !! Whenever I research getting body ready for labor it’s always stuff on how to self-induce (sex/walking/raspberry tea/primrose capsules) but how can I prepare my body for labor and when should I start?
I work in the healthcare field and I do a lot of walking, since the beginning of my pregnancy. Although it’s getting more difficult (my belly is super low packed) I still try and stay semi-active, without overdoing it ofc. Is there anything I can do NOW to prepare? I’m so scared and I’m HORRIFIED of tearing and even more horrified of having to have a c-section. (If you had a c-section you’re amazing! It looks terrifying). Is it too early to start preparing?

Answer

No matter how much you prepare, whatever happens, happens.

Answer

What you can do now:
-take a birthing class
-learn breathing techniques (like Lamaze) and other coping mechanisms for labor
-if you have a big yoga ball (aka a birthing ball), start doing hip exercises on it
-start doing kegels on a daily basis
-learn about common things that might happen during labor and delivery (C-section, vacuum/suction birth, induction, etc.) That way if it happens to you, you're not caught off gaurd.
Good luck!

Answer

The preparation is mostly mental because doing everything right physically doesn’t guarantee everything goes smoothly.  If your labor and delivery is complication free the rest is just hard work and mental toughness.  It’s definitely called labor for a reason.
I’ve had two beautiful natural labors and each time I focused on relaxing my body and staying in the moment.  Don’t worry about the next contraction or what May happen just keep breathing and focus on whatever moment you are in.  
Getting regular deep tissue massages actually really helped me prep.  Whenever my masseuse would dig in I would focus on relaxing into the pressure/pain.  Like you do with a good deep stretch.  Stay focused on the moment and you’ll find the time and process go by quicker then you realize and you’ll be letting your body do what it needs to do to get through it.  
Wishing you a beautiful and smooth delivery!

Answer

I just mentally prepared myself because once you’re in active labor and it’s time to push, you really need to concentrate and listen to your body and the person delivering your baby. My whole pregnancy I just kept telling myself and everyone else that I’m just gonna push my daughter out like it’s nobody’s business and that’s exactly what happened. I pushed 4 times and she was out lol. I did have a second degree tear but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was gonna be and my recovery was quick thankfully. I had a whole birth plan and everything but nothing went the way I wanted it to (I’m actually so happy it happened that way because I was making it way more complicated in my head) you can plan all you want but whatever is gonna happen, will happen. Just mentally prepare yourself for the pushing part

Answer

Raspberry leaf tea x

Answer

I started physical preparation at 35weeks nothing to crazy just basically helping my body naturally get ready. I’m drinking Raspberry leaf tea, I’ve heard dates help soften cervix so giving that a go, and I do some stretches and walking every 2nd day. Baby has engaged in the last 2 weeks so a good sign things are progressing.

Answer

I honestly wasn’t terrified about giving birth because I knew I could handle the pain. All I did was bounce on a ball and get a membrane sweep at 38 weeks and that started things. I did have a second degree tear but that healed.

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For all 4 of my pregnancies I never did anything. 🤷🏻‍♀️ lots of rest and relaxing honestly. I’ve had 4 great labors. No issues, fairly quick. 
I worked until 37 weeks then just hung out till labor.
Your body is gonna do what it’s gonna do. All these tips and tricks might help and they might not. I say it’s better to get your rest now and relax before the marathon of labor.

Answer

Check out expecting and empowered or the belle method. They have birth and push prep courses. They are all about protecting your pelvic floor, proper pushing positions, how to advocate for  while in labour etc.

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It's never to early to start preparing. The more you increase your pelvis' range of motion now, the easier time baby will have of coming down and out. Your pelvis can expand by up to 30% during labor, so you want to work pre-labor to take full advantage of that. I use a series of stretches and exercises from One Strong Mama on Instagram. I started at 20 weeks last pregnancy and honestly had a pain free labor up until I got to 10cm and pushing. Hoping I can repeat that experience with this baby come December!

When did you physically start getting ready for labor?

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