Once, all the preparation a woman did for labor was pack her suitcase. When contractions began, her husband drove her to the hospital, where she was strapped into stirrups and knocked out cold. Today's mom-to-be is far more in control of her labor destiny. But remember--if you don't know your options, you don't have any. Here are some considerations as you enter the home stretch (as it were).
Instructions
1. Countdown the last weeks with final preparation. Finish up at work, finalize your life insurance. Organize your nursery, and buy any related items you haven't yet picked up. Get a pregnancy massage and work on prenatal exercise (swim, walk, do yoga). Oh, and get some sleep. It'll be your last for quite awhile.
2. Pack appropriately. Going to the hospital is a bit different than going to the beach. Fill your suitcase with personal items for you (gown, robe, slippers, etc.), but also include an outfit for the baby to go home in. Bringing along a nursing bra and pads is a safe bet. And carry some extra batteries and chargers for cameras, camcorders, phones, etc.
3. Consult your doctor for pain-management methods. This includes prescription drugs, position changes, various massage methods, breathing and exercise.
4. Make a birth plan. Do you want to circumcise? Decide between an epidural or "natural" birth. Also, determine who you want your birth partner to be and whether they should catch the baby and cit the cord.
5. Prepare yourself for unforeseen circumstances, such as: You OB-GYN being unavailable; if labor needs to be induced, which method (there are many). If an assisted birth is necessary, do you prefer forceps or vacuum extractions? What if your birth partner isn't able to be there? Also, don't forget to that even traffic could be an issue when getting to the hospital.
6. Choose your team: A midwife, doula, labor coach or OB-GYN. And consider to what degree you want you birth partner to be involved in the childbirth.
7. Plan for postpartum care.
Tags: birth partner, your birth, your birth partner