Months leading to childbirth can be more stressful than the delivery itself. This is true, especially for first-time parents. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re trying to look for tips on how to manage this moment. It’s an important stage of everyone’s life. You want this to be smooth-flowing and safe.
Let’s slow things down for a bit and give you something that’ll somehow relieve your anxiety. There were about 3.6 million babies born last year. That’s about 9,800 births every single day of 2020. With this figure, the country will have thousands of childbirth on the day you’re going to give birth. Some of them are also going to be first-time parents. In short, you are not alone in this journey.
After knowing the figures, the next thing you need to know is how to prepare for the big day. This guide should help you get ready for your childbirth.
Attend a childbirth class
As the name suggests, a childbirth class helps you prepare for labor and childbirth. It’s facilitated by licensed childbirth instructors. Some lessons last for only a day. There are more comprehensive sessions that go on for weeks. The sessions have discussions and exercises about everything that involves childbirth.
Childbirth classes are also a good way to meet other pregnant moms. You can mingle with first-time parents and make new friends. Tackle tips and share best practices on managing pregnancy. Expand your knowledge on childbirth so that you already know what to do for your next one.
Regular checkups
We all know how important regular checkups are for moms and babies inside the womb. In general, check-ups can help prevent pregnancy complications. There are types of checkups you can discuss with your doctor. First is pre-pregnancy care. You can talk to your doctor about pre-pregnancy if you are planning to conceive. Your doctor will make sure that you are healthy enough to get pregnant.
The other checkup is prenatal care. Visiting your doctor is essential if you’re suspecting pregnancy. There will be physical exams and other tests to see how you and the baby are doing. National Institute of Health has a detailed summary of what to expect during these check-ups.
Handle hospital paperwork
You don’t want to come unprepared when the water breaks. This is why it’s important to handle all the necessary paperwork weeks or months before your due. You can mail it back to the birthing place or bring it with you to the clinic before you give birth. While you’re at it, get a glimpse of the birthing place so you’d know its layout. See if you’re going to be comfortable with the place so you can deliver safely.
Try to create a birth plan
If you’ve never heard of a birth plan yet, it’s a written note the mother could do before giving birth. This note details everything the mom wants. It’s made so the hospital or the birthing place could prepare for your arrival when you feel like you’re about to give birth.
Most birth plans include the people you want to be inside the room while you’re laboring, the lighting setup, birthing positions, and many more. You could present it to the birthing place for them to review. They have to check if it meets their clinic guidelines. This paperwork isn’t necessary, but if this makes your childbirth feel more comfortable, go for it.
Prepare your hospital bag
It’s simple. Get everything essential for the special day. Keep them inside the bag and keep the bag where it can be accessed at any time. This hospital bag should include all the necessary things. This includes the paperwork we mentioned earlier if you haven’t given it to the birthing place yet. Other essentials are water, sugar-free candies, toiletries, a phone, and its charger. Include comfortable shoes for walking to induce labor, maternity clothing, undergarments, and more.
Run through the activities on labor day
When the time comes, you don’t want to come unprepared. Do a small pregnancy drill weeks before labor. A choreographed drill will ensure your preparedness for the day of delivery. Prepare the contact list of people to call at the time of labor. Check the vehicle you’re going to use. If your car’s broken, don’t delay the fix. You or your partner should look for auto shop equipment to fix the car weeks before the expected childbirth. Make sure you both know how to get to the birthing place even at night. Memorize the directions and search for possible shortcuts.
Be alert
You’ve come to the most crucial months of pregnancy, so you always have to be alert. All you have to do is be ready on your due since you’ve already prepared everything needed. Just do exactly what you’ve practiced. Make sure everything goes smoothly as how you planned it.
First-time parents should not be afraid when the time comes. It’s a normal phase most couples and women go through. Preparation is the key to a healthy and safe delivery. If you are fully equipped with childbirth knowledge, you will have less to worry about.
