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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

If you had one tip for labour/birth...

88 replies

suzi2 · 04/02/2007 17:03

...what would it be?

Mine would be to 'go with it' and just let it all happen.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Bucketsofdynomite · 07/03/2007 13:29

If you go to hospital in labour or after waters have broken, don't let them send you home from the hosiptal 'for some rest' until they have done an internal examination. I've lost count of the number of birth stories I've heard where the lady is far more advanced than anyone gives her credit for, just because she seems calm/polite/handling it. Make a fuss!

fryalot · 07/03/2007 13:30

don't wear knickers that say "sexy thing" because some smart arse midwife will ask exactly how sexy you feel right at that moment!

danceswithnewboots · 07/03/2007 13:32

Take a flannel with you so your dp/dh can sponge your head down because it's so ruddy hot in those rooms.

BabiesEverywhere · 07/03/2007 13:33

Get an independant midwife/doula if possible so you a fighting chance of getting a birth which you want.

NHS midwifes are flat on your back in bed lot or the 4 I met were

Ivor · 07/03/2007 13:33

In my personel case, complete ignorance helped

DimpledThighs · 07/03/2007 13:34

trust your body - try not to get scared.

Remeber transistion will be WEIRD

AIPNEM · 07/03/2007 13:44

i am 3 days over due and have a hospital appt on fri. if i go in and asked to be induced that day will they do it, or will i have to wait?

Roskvawantingsomesunshine · 07/03/2007 13:45

Take your ipod/cd player+cds and plenty of spare batteries - hospitals won't let you plug your own things into the mains.

Glucose tablets were the only things I could eat without throwing up.

Pack some really nice toiletries, 'cos that first shower afterwards is bliss.

My NHS midwives were fantastic, btw.

Sakura · 07/03/2007 13:48

Pick a mantra to repeat to yourself.
Mine was taken from "Birthing from Within". Its corny, but it worked for me:

"Find inside yourself the strength it will take for you to give birth."

babybore · 07/03/2007 17:24

Have an epidural and enjoy the ride.

Piffle · 07/03/2007 17:26

relax and let your body do what it was designed to
Don't go to hospital too early
And if you can get to transition without pain relief
The rest is a piece of cake

PinkTulips · 07/03/2007 17:31

every contraction is bringing you a bit closer to having your baby so instead of fighting them... embrace them

MoosMa · 07/03/2007 20:22

Take a big breath of G&A as the contraction starts to build, don't do what I did first time and wait until it hurts then pant like mad!

gothicmama · 07/03/2007 20:23

listen to your body

chocolatekimmy · 07/03/2007 20:39

Keep upright, march on the spot as much as you can

Don't let them cut you (unless they give a really, really convincing story)

When you feel that your fanjo is on fire, baby is almost here, not long to go

Take some music with you

Stay at home as long as possible

Runninglate · 07/03/2007 21:11

Isotonic drinks! (sports drinks!)

oh - and don't panic - there's nothing to be scared of - we're designed to give birth. Leave all panicking up to the midwives - they are trained to panic good and early if needs be

mummypigoink · 07/03/2007 21:19

Sorry it's more than one but:

  1. Don't go in thinking it's going to hurt ~ chances are it will.
  1. Put your tens machine on early
  1. Gravity is good ~ lying on a bed means you are pushing uphill!!!!
  1. Don't worry, the hormones make things that are completely unpalatable palatable for the time it takes to get your baby out !!!
  1. water births are fantastic!
  1. keep an open mind.
hatwoman · 07/03/2007 21:23

I agree with Twinklemegan's - don't pile expectations on yourself. You can't predict what it will be like so be flexible. don't get in a mindset where you think you have to have a certain kind of birth.

fransmom · 07/03/2007 21:24

take an electric fan - they are a bloody godsend

wear clean old clothes because you may get bloody when you hold baby

keep as mobile as possible and when you need to sit down, you're the one meant to be sitting on any rocking chair not dp/dh/friend so kick them out of it!

mumtoone · 07/03/2007 21:30

Don't let concerns about pooing in labour stop you from pushing properly. Midwives are used to it and very discrete.

margo1974 · 07/03/2007 21:30

Tie your hair back just after you give birth, so you don't get chunks of vomit in it

henrybaba · 07/03/2007 21:30

Ice cubes - to crunch on and for your birth partner to put on the back of your neck... bliss!!
And I found keeping my eyes closed helped - everything else in the room just felt like a distraction...
Good luck!

fransmom · 07/03/2007 21:31

margo i forgot to do that and ended up using grips - they definitely don't work !

Spidermama · 07/03/2007 21:36

Drink water, from a straw held by someone else, between the contractions near the end.

Have a table to lean against which is the perfect hieight to take your weight off the bump during the peaks of early contractions.

Keep monving.

In the early stages of labour, just ignore it. Do whatever you can to distract yourself. Bake or cook something nutritious in between contractions. You'll be glad of it the next day.

Make as much noise as you like but keep it low pitched and open.

Your fanny mimics your mouth SO keep your mouth and lips loose. Check yourself to make sure the mouth isn't tightening.

The contractions at the end of the first stage are a very good time to practise singing opera arias, even if you've never sung one before.

Failing that, moo like a cow.

Have a quick acting energy food available (honey, halva, fruit juice) for when you don't want to waste energey munching away, but you'd like to bring your blood sugar up.

Don't rush it. Your body knows what to do.

Finally, would it be pusing it to say 'enjoy it'?

Spidermama · 07/03/2007 21:37

Whoops! You said one. I got carried away.