Birth prep – how much did you do?

[theAntsareMyFriends]

I’m 36 weeks with my first baby and keep getting questions like ‘have you prepared for birth?’ or ‘have you practiced your breathing exercises?’. The answer to both would have to be ‘no’.

So far, all I’ve done is buy a yoga DVD which I’ve done once and sat on a exercise ball a few times. I went to a NHS class but that was mostly about birth choices/pain relief. I have a fairly active job (think teacher) and a killer daily commute so I’m fairly knackered when I get home and most classes start before I even get home anyway but I’m now beginning to feel really unprepared. I'm normally really prepared for things so this is a bit unlike me.

So my question is, how much preparation for birth did you do and, bearing in mind I’ve not got much time left, what one or two exercises or techniques would it be really useful for me to practice to get prepared?

Thank you

I went to prenatal (antenatal?) Classes which were a complete waste of time, nothing I didn't know from reading What to Expect when you're Expecting. They also did some breathing tecniques and relaxation and shit - but honestly, it was a complete waste of my time.

You'll instinctively know how to breathe during birth. The excercises and stuff just sent me to sleep (classes were at 9am). Had a bouncy ball, used it a couple of times, fell off, luckily it was borrowed!

I was booked in for an induction but everything started naturally when I arrived for it. 9 hours into labour they realised he was back to back and ds was hauled out by forceps 3 hours later. Prenatal classes hadn't prepared me for firceps, or the long-lasting effects of forceps, or the difficulty in establishing breastfeeding after forceps. Classes were too fucking rosey, in hindsight.

In short, you cannot prepare for everything. As long as you breathe and push when it feels right, you'll be fine. Next time someone asks, just say "yes, baby has signed a contract to say it'll be a sneeze birth". congratulations and good luck

None apart from arranging csection

Hi OP. I agree that I found the antenatal classes a massive waste of time. I felt no more prepared having attended. People said about practicing the breathing techniques too but like yourself I really didn't find the time.

If this is your first I don't really think it's possible to prepare yourself. I don't know how any one can know what they want before they get there. Just try & relax & take it in your stride. You'll do great!

I think there's little you can do to prepare for birth once you know the basics. If you want something to prep, read up on breastfeeding (if you intend to breastfeed). There's more to it than "Put baby to boob. Feed."

I did NCT which was fantastic for making friends but I could have learnt as much about birth from Mumsnet.

That said DH learnt a lot and I don't think he would have been as engaged if we hadn't had the time at NCT for him to think about it and what he could do to help.

I'd suggest you maybe make some time to sit down with your birth partner and go through your thoughts and feelings on giving birth and what you'd like to happen against what you'd like taken into account in an emergency etc.

Haven't really had the time to prepare in the yoga/antenatal classes sort of way this time. I'm due on Wednesday and its crept up on me.
But I have had a demanding 2 year old, 2 essays due in today (just need to check, reference and email off- thank God) and a sudden death on Dps side of the family to cope with.
If the baby makes it past wednesday, I'll get a birthing ball.

My mw did suggest parentcraft classes, which was a little odd.

Best bit of advice anyone ever gave me was for dealing with contractions:

Breathe in through nose for count of 3, breathe out through mouth for count of 4.

Really really helped!

Not really birth prep, but good to keep in mind, even for de-stressing beforehand.

Thank you. I'm feeling relieved I'm not the only one.

Sorry to hear about the death in the family enormouse.

Thanks for the tip Anything. I think I'll maybe just concentrate on getting prepared for the bit after birth.

I'll just go with the advice to relax, listen to what my body is telling me and keep my fingers crossed!

I guess it depends how you want to approach your birth, I have found NCT pretty helpful on what to do at what point in labour and what to expect from the different stages etc...I think the most useful bit was learning about transition and that usually just when you feel you really cant do this anymore then you are probably nearly there.
I got recommended this book which I've enjoyed reading...not sure how useful it'll be until the actual birth I guess :) www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091922143/?tag=mh0a9-21&hvadid=3170868106&ref=pd_sl_qg98ofmev_e

sorry www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091922143/?tag=mh0a9-21&hvadid=3170868106&ref=pd_sl_qg98ofmev_e

When I got pregnant I had all the plans for nct, hynobitthing, aqua fit, raspberry leaf tea etc

Unfortunately I'm due tomorrow and only prep I have done is a 1 day nhs course which I actually found really useful given my lack of knowledge. I've also sent dh to buy raspberry leaf tea capsules and evening primrose oil today (better late than never) and will blow up the birthing ball ages ago soon

I did NCT, antenatal classes at the hospital, antenatal yoga and a one day workshop on breathing and labour positions, oh and about 3 different books.
All the labour techniques flew out the window when my syntocin induced contractions began in earnest and I demanded an epidural.

I did NCT and also did my pregnancy yoga DVD just the once. I did bounce on my inflatable ball quite a lot but that was mainly because I went ten days overdue and was just trying anything to get the baby moving.

I actually did a fair bit without realising it. I had terrible problems with my back and hips and baby was back to back all through the pregnancy. I did weekly antenatal yoga classes to help and the breathing/relaxation techniques and different stretches and postions were invaluble during labour. I'm convinced that without them I wouldn't have had the easy labour that I did despite baby being back to back. If you find time I would definately recommend going to yoga classes and if you are near Southampton I can fully endorse an amazing teacher (had me in stitches pretending to be in labour, mooing in the classes, best way to approach it with a sense of humour)

I did nct and nhs classes and found them helpful with the facts about what happens in labour etc and how to look after your newborn along with pain relief etc, but the only birth prep that i thought could be useful was to find out what helps you focus and relax.....do you like music, do you need to think of something else, does repeating things in your head help. Its good to have an idea of what might work for you to take your mind off the pain.
In my case it didnt work anyway as the pain is........tough. Also we learnt about transition but i forgot all about that too so was yelling 'i cant do this'
Next time i think i would concentrate more on eating healthier towards the end, trying to exercise more and perineal massage, just in case i have a long labour and need the fitness and i tore badly this time which has sucked a bit.