7 Tips For A Relaxing Smooth Labor
It's Your Time To Start Enjoying Your Pregnancy
It's Your Time To Start Enjoying Your Pregnancy
Let’s face it….nothing is more exciting than bringing a new baby into this world BUT it can really freak you out if you’re not prepared!! Pregnancy is an amazing time! It’s exciting, nerve wracking and it’s filled with some crazy emotions. During those nine months you’ll find yourself filled with anticipation for the BIG day…… HOWEVER you may also find yourself feeling a little nervous about the whole LABOR process!
That’s ok… there is help.
So what can YOU do to better prepare yourself for the unknown?
Before you begin checking out 7 TIPS FOR A RELAXING SMOOTH LABOR, allow me to tell you a bit about myself......
I believe I was a MomPreneur before it was even popular. I loved coming up with ideas and products but never realized they could be a real source of income.
So I just did it ALL while working full time as a TV Journalist. Luckily though, that career allowed me to promote and market Labor of Love (a CD at that time) through media and press releases. I’m thrilled to know my product literally helped thousands of new moms relax and enjoy a calm, confident labor and delivery.
Fast forward to today. I am now a Grandma (Baba) to five beautiful grandchildren. My product is now a MP3 and it still soothes and relaxes moms-to-be!
I can share with you that the thoughts and fears that I had of pain, discomfort, and hours of labor are really no different than yours.
Luckily for me, with the help of my forward thinking Doctor I found a solution!
I hope these tips will help you too!
I believe the art of pregnancy relaxation will always be a concern for new moms. It doesn’t matter what the year or even the decade …women will continue to have babies while searching for techniques to get them through their labor.
Being well informed, having a great team (doctor, spouse, doula) can make all the difference.
So get ready to relax with these 7 simple, yet effective tips for having a smooth labor and delivery.
You CAN do this! You are amazing!
There’s always a lot of fear and anxiety about the unknown. Read all you can, join Facebook groups and get comfortable with all the changes your body will be going through over the next nine months.
Although everyone’s labor and delivery will be uniquely theirs’, remember to educate yourself as best you can. Knowledge is KEY!
You want to be as calm and relaxed during your labor and delivery as possible.
If not … it can be a vicious cycle.
Remember, the more fear you have, the more anxious you will become and the more stress hormones are released; thus making labor itself more painful. So as you ease your mind, empower it with information about what to expect and the intensity of pain lessens.
“ Be sure to follow the direction and guidance of your doctor, doula and midwife. They know best.“
- Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this article are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. In the majority of cases, I try to support other mom-prepreneurs and their businesses. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Tip 1
Journaling can mean something different for everyone. if you’ve ever had a diary as a young girl, you know there is something very special about finding the time and the place to write down your feelings, ideas, cares and loves in the world. In fact, I feel we all can benefit from journaling - especially now and especially you!
The actual art of pen to paper in a world so full of noise, can be very relaxing and therapeutic.You may also want to find a beautiful pen to write with and journal to write in.
There are so many gorgeous ones to choose from. Not only will this quiet time be a welcome ritual for yourself, but it can also become a beautiful keepsake one day, for your little nugget inside you.
There is no right or wrong way to journal. Just be YOU.
Draw, write poems, your thoughts, include photos etc. Or you may choose instead, to do a video journal.
It’s totally up to you! Enjoy this special time!
Something tells me this might be one of your favorite things to do. You, a comfy chair and a cup of tea … journaling at its’ finest.
Tip 2
Learning a few simple techniques to help you relax can be priceless.
Proper breathing, visualization and positive mantras, can all play a big part in reducing your anxiety and stress about labor.
Whenever you are feeling anxious you can get yourself into a wonderfully relaxed state. Practice doing this throughout your labor. Know that the more relaxed you are, the more, calm and confident you will be throughout your labor
Bring something to focus on with you to the hospital. It can be a picture, a flower, a stuffed toy…..whatever brings you joy.
Discover your FREE Meditation for you to try at home CLICK HERE
Tip 3
Who doesn’t love a relaxing massage? Especially when you are pregnant!
Find a licensed massage therapist in your area that specializes in Pregnancy Massages. Book yourself a few of these throughout your pregnancy, and after as well. At home, be sure to ask your partner to help you relax those tense muscles in your neck, back or legs with some light massaging.
It will not only feel good but will create some couple time that you both can look forward to.
Again studies have shown that massaging can help reduce stress as well. In fact in a study at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, laboring women who received massages from their partner reported feeling less pain and anxiety during childbirth than those who were not massaged.
During your labor be sure to let your partner know what does and doesn’t feel good. Don’t be surprised if you may not even want to be touched at all!
Tip 4
A greater awareness of your breathing nurtures you as you stretch and relax. Deep breathing slows the pulse and lowers blood pressure. Endorphins are released that cause a general feeling of calmness and well-being. Best of all - the relaxation YOU experience passes directly to your baby and benefits her with increased blood flow to the placenta. It really is a unique pre-birth bonding time.
By practicing the poses common to most pregnancy yoga classes, you will learn how to release lower back tension, and open up your chest and shoulders and hips. All of these muscles can hold onto tension during pregnancy and labor, so learning how to release this tension during your pregnancy is very helpful.
Find delight in the relaxed movements, spiraling and circling motions, gentle opening stretches and yoga sequences.
Pregnancy Yoga is for both you and your baby. Your breath is your baby’s oxygen. Your calmness is his calmness! Enjoy! Always check with your doctor first before doing any activity.
Tip 5
Walking is one of the best activities to do when you are pregnant. It’s gentle, anyone can do it and it teaches patience and induces a state of relaxation.
"Pregnant women who stay in shape tend to have shorter labors," says Tekoa King, a certified nurse-midwife and associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California at San Francisco.
"Fitness improves endurance, and if you're better able to tolerate labor, you're less likely to end up needing medical intervention." Walk, swim, or take a prenatal-exercise class during pregnancy (after getting an okay from your doctor or midwife).
Tip 6
Taking Childbirth Classes is a must in my opinion.
It solidifies all that you’ve learned with real hands on practise. “Familiarizing yourself with the stages of childbirth and practicing comfort measures before the BIG event will help you feel less anxious, which can make for an easier labor”, says Robert Stern, M.D., co-chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.
Shop around for the right childbirth classes, suggests Teri Shilling, president of Lamaze International. Look for a small class (with fewer than ten couples), a certified instructor, and goals that mesh with yours.
....hey ladies, I still remember my last prenatal class when the instructor asked “who thinks they will go into labor first?” I put up my hand. Our second son Colin, was born 4 hours later!
I think I can confidently say I had a head start heading into my smooth labor!
Tip 7
Beautiful Bath Time
A relaxing warm (not hot) bath is a great way to relax during your pregnancy and if possible during labor.
OB-GYN Catherine Lynch says “as long as the water temperature isn't over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.” If you have to ease your foot into the tub, it's too hot. If you're comfortable getting into the water, the temperature is close to your own body temperature, which is where you want it.”
Baths can be a safe way to relax tired muscles. As always, it's important to drink plenty of water so you don’t get dehydrated.
Ladies…..I hope you enjoy these pregnancy relaxation tips and find them helpful. I am so excited for you during this special time in your life. Enjoy and LOVE your pregnancy!!
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