Keep calm and call the midwife

Preparing for labour can be a scary experience for many women, especially with the pressures of modern life. These five top tips from experienced mothers and midwives are essential advice for expectant mothers who want to navigate this journey with confidence and calm. 

From combating exhaustion during pregnancy to building a strong connection with your baby, the guidance provided here is invaluable. Practical tips on nutrition, relaxation techniques, and partner support ensure that both mind and body are well-prepared for the big day. Your labour can be a magical and much less stressful experience if you follow this sage advice from the pregnancy experts.

1. D DAY PREPARATION

A common problem today’s women face is exhaustion during pregnancy and in the lead up to labour. There is far more pressure today to work right up until the end of your pregnancy to then get more time off afterwards which is a general trend. Without enough rest or mental space and lack of sleep in the lead up to labour, women are left mentally and physically exhausted for labour, ending up tired postnatally before they’ve even had the sleepless nights looking after a newborn! The problem is that it is very hard to get a woman to think beyond delivery day.

2. MIND, BODY, BABY

Connecting to your baby by talking to him or her really seals a bond before birth. Call me old fashioned, but putting your feet and having ‘you and baby’ time is a must. Believe me, if you don’t connect or make the time, your baby will seek attention in its own way!

3. LET YOUR HORMONES HELP YOU

Your hormones are your helpers in labour and your mindset can influence how it goes. Endorphins will help with the pain while oxytocin gives the relaxed, ‘spaced out’ feeling. There is nothing better than to be with a woman in labour and see how she progresses by the patterns of behaviour she displays at each stage. However, the position your baby’s head is in at the start can influence your labour.

4. A FRIGHTENED MIND = A LONGER LABOUR

Fear comes from many sources prior to labour, and it is important not to listen to dire advice and warnings about other people’s labours. If someone starts to tell you a story about their labour, stop them and ask if the story has a good ending. If it doesn’t, then tell them you don’t want to hear it. I have seen advice like this cause such anxiety for women. This can be one of the downsides of social media. You can be inundated with messages of congratulations, and support, but also scare stories. Before sharing any info on your socials about your pregnancy, read this guide on making pregnancy announcements online to help you avoid the pitfalls of sharing online and starting to fear your labour. Fear causes adrenaline to be released and labour to slow down. These can be a number of things; from being nervous about your surroundings, to not having a rapport with the midwife and feeling tense with your partner. Once fear gets hold, adrenaline is released and stops endorphin release. Atmosphere is key to enable you to settle and concentrate on having as relaxed a labour as possible. There are many techniques that can be practised to help with breathing and relaxation, and these will help labour along.

5. EXHAUSTED BODY, EXHAUSTED MIND

You need a lot of energy to get through labour, and hydration and hunger don’t help! You need complex carbs, and lots of them. I tell women to really stock up on carbs in the lead up to labour, as well as vitamin C and zinc. During pregnancy, you also need good stores of DHA and vitamin D which are both so important for foetal development.

7. A LABOUR OF LOVE

Having your partner with you and going through labour together can be an opportunity to bond and become closer, however don’t force any partner to be in the room unless he really wants to be there. I have seen that it can cause a problem after the baby is born with a couple’s sex life, so make sure he is happy to be there with you.

8. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

To ensure you have the best labour you can, make sure you practise techniques ahead of labour such as hypnosis for birth, and positive visualisation will help throughout. I am also a great believer in the use of acupuncture in preparation for and during labour.

Preparing for labour demands attention to both your physical and emotional well-being. The key to a successful and less stressful labour is to create a calm and positive environment, where both mind and body are ready for the challenges ahead. With thoughtful preparation and the right support, labour can become a powerful and enriching experience, paving the way for a joyful transition into motherhood. Keep calm, trust the process, and call the midwife!