How to prepare yourself for labour

I thought being fourth time around it might be fun to share a few fun tips on how I prepare myself for labour. Please note this list is just a little fun but my list is absolutely  serious and one day you may thank me.

Don’t be a smart arse. Today when driving to town my mum asked so Danielle what do you have. I smiled and replied nothing, not even nappies. She said don’t you think you should get some of those. I said nah it’s ok, we can stop at the super market on the way to the hospital.

Write a list of everything you need and go shopping.  I’ve totally gone minimalist this pregnancy as in..up until today I had not brought a single thing. Luckily my mum has been nagging a bit and today at  almost 36 weeks and I have officially purchased some baby clothes for this child to wear home from hospital and a packet of nappies.  I am yet to purchase a pram, pads for the hospital, big undies.. oh and a car seat, but I’m working on it.

Think about what you want to wear to the hospital. I remember making the decision to go to the hospital with Josceline {baby #2} over 6 years ago. My bag was packed and I was already to go and I said to my husband hang on, I just want to put something nice on. If you are in pain or not turning up to the hospital and feeling good about yourself can make a huge difference to how you feel about this whole giving birth journey. This principal also applies to what you want to wear when you are in labour, are you going to wear an old t-shirt or perhaps model something fabulous like this.

And while were on that..think about your hair. We can’t all look fabulous after we have given birth but if we are totally in love with ourselves and once again want to feel good about ourselves we can give it a good crack. If you want your hair straightened keep it neat and tidy in the days leading up to labour, I know we can’t predict when labour might happen but we can spend a few minutes each morning making sure we look nice before we leave the house. Doing my hair always make feel better. Personally this time around I think I’ll go with the crazy I just got out of the shower natural hair.

Don’t look too happy. This is by far the most important thing I can tell you. I have pretty pain free labours, up until were ready to get the show started. My last labouring experience I was sitting there laughing and cracking jokes and the nurses honestly didn’t believe I was in labour and wanted to send me home.

And on the other end of the spectrum..Try not to swear too much. I was 8cm by the time I got to the hospital with Josceline. Yes, 8cm. There was no time for drugs and the gas did nothing. I believe there was a lot of swearing involved, mainly focused on my husband and how I would never ever, ever do this again {yeah.so that didn’t work out too well} after she was born and we were settled the nurse entered the room and said holy cow, there is a first time mum next door in early labour and you just scared the be-jusus out of her. Eerr, sorry about that.

Go to the toilet. Seriously woman be prepared, we have all seen that movie with Jennifer Lopez where she gives birth and poops in the pool. It’s totally gross and labour is totally gross and precious and soul sucking but if I can exercise my bowels regularly and listen to my body and avoid pooping all over the floor then I’m going to at least give it a go.

So there’s my list. For now, this may be edited at a later day when brilliance strikes me but don’t sit there holding your breath because these days it doesn’t happen very often. Now I’m off to pack my hospital bag and search the bathroom to see if there is anything i may have missed on my list.

Does anybody have any super cool tips they would like to add?

TAGS: None