How are you preparing for labour?

[denbyellie]

I don't mean the nursery and getting hospital bag ready, I mean how are you physically getting ready for labour?

I've ordered some raspberry leaf tea, I'm 35 weeks, is anyone doing perennial massage? What kind of Pilates and stretches are you doing? Are you using a ball? Want to start preparing now x

Not pregnant nor having more DC, but would say prioritise what makes you feel positive and comfortable now and at the time. People will swear by things that helped them, but I had two very different labours and to some extent you have to go with what your body and baby do.

All labours end and positive mental attitude can help with resilience.

@Enough4me yes well I'm wanting to do more exercises on the ball and yoga etc, but I don't really know where to start? X

I'm walking as much as is comfortable (7,000 steps a day now counts as a proper workout for me!) and doing yoga twice a week. I'd be swimming if I could, but they just closed our pools again.

Have you seen any research on eating dates? Science seems to suggest that eating 3 medjool dates or 6 of the small ones can make for an easier labour so yuuuup I'm giving that a go!

I should be doing perineal massage, but I hate it, so I've barely bothered

I have a ball as well btw, but I think at this stage it's just good to sit on it, especially if the baby isn't head down yet.

I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and staying as active as possible, walking for 45mins - 1hr a day. Up until now been also working out 3 times a week but having to slow that as it was getting too much, but still doing some stretching and yoga.
I've started the perennial massage - thought it was worth a shot, eating dates and raspberry leaf tea. I have been sitting on the birthing ball now and again while working (advantage of working from home) to help get him/her in the best position. So basically everything 😂. Who knows if it'll all work, but it is making me feel more prepared and calmer so that in itself makes it worth it imo.

Is it bad I’m not doing anything to prepare? I’ll probably regret it but just going to relax in the lead up to the birth and make sure I’m doing enough daily exercise (walking as it’s all I can manage).

@Birdy1991 it's definitely not bad, especially if you're feeling nice and chill! I'm an anxious type and my last birth was a long, unnecessarily difficult induction, so I'm on a mission to have a better experience this time round. Feeling calm and in control would be the best prep, but I find that a bit tricky...

@CoolNoMore you are speaking from experience - I am probably being naive 😬. I’ve been thinking about getting a birthing ball, should I? Hope your next labour goes better x

@Birdy1991 noooo no! If there's one thing I've learned, it's the experience counts for very little when it comes to birth! Everyone is different, every birth is different. The one thing that does make a huge difference is feeling calm and in control. Man, I better not have panicked you!

Having said that, the dates seem like they're worth a go. The only thing is that they're costing me a fortune, as my husband and son have decided that they like them

I'm sitting on my exercise ball and doing pelvic floor exercises....... When I remember.
Otherwise I've not really done anything to prepare yet (35 weeks)

Where are you finding ball exercises and pelvic floor exercises from? Need a good website or video to watch x

I'm just sitting /rocking on my ball either during the day at my desk or in the evenings when watching TV. My midwife suggested an hour a day after 34 weeks to help get baby into a good position.

I have found a couple of kegel apps for my phone for pelvic floor exercises. They are OK, but you get better features if you buy the app and I haven't done that.

I’ve ordered some raspberry leaf tea and will start taking them from 32 weeks.
I will start taking 6 dates after 36 weeks and also got an exercise ball to sit on however haven’t started to use it properly yet (currently 29 weeks). I’ll probably try the perineal massage from 34 weeks and see how I get on.
Does anyone have any views on evening primrose oil? I’ve read some mixed reviews on it.

My midwife said not to bother with evening primrose oil but could give it a go if I really wanted too.

I’ve tried perineal massage a few times but really not a fan if I’m honest.

Sitting on my ball for at least an hour a day.

Apart from that I’m just trying to relax.