Childbirth - Are You Ready for The Most Incredible Day of Your Life?
Childbirth... it's one of the most frightening aspects of pregnancy for many pregnant women. And as the day of the baby's birth draws near, many mothers-to-be begin to focus on the birth with a sense of dread. With so many different stories about childbirth, it seems everyone has something to say about it!
However, childbirth need not be terrifying.
By preparing in advance and finding out as much as you can about the signs of labor, your options for pain relief during childbirth and the birthing positions you can adopt, you will feel more in control when your labor begins.
Many mothers-to-be find that a birth plan is a wonderful way to prepare themselves and their partner for the whole process of labor and childbirth. If you do make out a birth plan, it's a good idea to discuss it with your partner and midwife shortly before the birth.
However, don't be too rigid with your wishes. It's best to be prepared for all eventualities, as your birth may not go exactly as you would like it to.
You may want a drug-free childbirth but you may find that you simply can't cope without pain relief. You may have planned a home-birth only to find yourself having a hospital birth. You may expect a vaginal birth but end up having an emergency c-section.
It's also advisable to confide in your GP and midwife if you are feeling worried about the birth of your baby, since fear can make the whole process of childbirth seem much more intimidating than it need be.
Ask friends and family to tell you about their experiences of childbirth... but assure them you don't need to hear the exaggerated version! If you're feeling particularly anxious about having a baby then our pregnancy relaxation mp3 can help you to relax throughout your pregnancy. Alternatively, if you are very keen to try birthing without a lot of medical intervention, then hypnobirthing is another option that can be worth some consideration.
If you have registered to have your baby's umbilical cord blood collected, then don't forget to notify your cord blood bank as soon as the baby is born and tell your caregivers to store the placenta until it has been collected.
