Midwives in your pocket
The importance of having birth preferences in preparation for labour Preparing for the arrival of a new baby is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. One important aspect of this preparation is thinking about your birth preferences. What is commonly referred to as a ‘birth plan’ we love to call ‘birth preferences’ […]
Okay, so as the big moment draws ever closer here are our 5 top tips for active labour:
– Always remain upright. Gravity is your best friend! Labour is hard enough on the body as it is, why not get the help we can with gravity by remaining in upright positions. Your body will push the baby down into the pelvis but if we stay in upright positions then gravity will help us so our body doesn’t need to work as hard!
The environment in which you choose to labour and birth your baby can have a significant impact on your experience. Remember, labour and birth rely on the hormone oxytocin, which in turn relies on feeling safe, relaxed and calm. Think about how you can replicate elements of your preferred birth environment in the setting in which you find yourself on the day.
First thing’s first – it’s a great idea to think about your hospital bag sooner rather than later. Babies do things in their own time and in their own way, with only 1 in 20 arriving on their due date. With this in mind, it’s a great idea to get those bags packed at around 36 weeks. Take it from us and don’t get caught packing your bags whilst in early labour!
Evidence shows that the longer couples stay at home in the early stages of labour the more likely they are to have a straightforward birth, and positive birth experience. It isn’t unusual for first time parents-to-be to come to hospital prematurely, only to be sent away again following vaginal examination because they haven’t hit that magic 4cm.
