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Prepare for childbirth with these top tips

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The thought of giving birth is scary for all soon-to-be moms. While you have no doubt that you’ll experience a lot of pain, nothing can quite prepare you for how it feels. Plus, a difficult birth could cause a health problem for your baby (see this Waco Erb’s palsy lawyer). It’s no wonder that you’re anxious about giving birth.

While some issues during childbirth simply can’t be prevented, the key is to be prepared for what the time might bring. Having a greater understanding of your body and what it goes through will make the process a whole lot smoother. The following tips will help you to prepare for the most significant day of your life.

Look after your body

You might have started looking after your body in preparation for pregnancy. Now that you’re pregnant, that shouldn’t stop. Your body is always a temple, but it’s even more important than ever. You have your baby’s health to consider as well as your own. But looking after your body will also help you to prepare for childbirth. A fit and healthy body will cope better during and after labor. So, make sure that you are eating well and exercising regularly. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, cut down on salt and quit drinking. Healthy and safe exercises for pregnant women include swimming, yoga and walking – but you can still lift weights and go running if you do so with caution.

Go to classes

Antenatal classes offer a wealth of information for a pregnant woman who’s concerned about childbirth. You will be told of the many options during childbirth and learn practical, hands on exercises to make the birth feel easier. Knowing what could happen during labor will make you feel more confident when the time comes. All pregnant women should understand their body and what it goes through during pregnancy and birth. Their spouse or partner should, too.

Organize a birthing plan

A birthing plan is a record of what you would like to happen during the birth. You can organize it with your midwife or caregiver. Organizing a birthing plan will help you to be more prepared for birth, as it ensures that your requirements are followed. Your birthing plan might include information about who you want with you during the birth, whether you want medication, and if you require any additional comfort, such as dimmed lights or music. It gives you a sense of control when your body is acting in a way that it never has before.

Ask around

Preparing for childbirth means understanding the process. So, if you’re feeling uneasy, ask those who’ve been through it. Your mum, grandma and friends can be a wealth of information, and it’s important to have conversations about childbirth. A prepared soon-to-be mother does their research and asks questions.

Prenatal Yoga: The Best Yoga Poses for Pregnant Moms

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Once your pregnant, you begin to notice all of these changes that your body goes through. Things like indigestion and back pain can prove to be a nuisance throughout your entire pregnancy.

Little did you know that yoga can prove to be extremely beneficial for expecting mothers. In this article, we are going to tell you the best yoga poses for pregnant women to work into their daily routine.

Continue reading for these particular yoga poses.

Yoga Poses for Pregnant Women

Yoga is a practice that teaches people how to control their breathing as well as becoming centered and grounded within themselves. Most that engage in the practice find that not only does it work on mental and spiritual strength, but it also aids in strengthening the body as well.

This strength is vital and helpful to women that will need the power to make it through the changes their body is going through pregnancy and have an easy labor.

Ankle to Knee Poses

The fantastic part about doing the ankle to knee pose is that it helps to stretch the hips. Another benefit is that it helps to relieve back pain that comes from carrying your unborn child by opening your back muscles, including the glutes.

Forward Bend

This is another pose we recommend when you’re trying to find relief from back pain. And we must admit it feels pretty good to let your stomach hang without having all of the weight on your back.

When doing the forward bend, focus on your breathing and relaxing into the pose. It’s optional to sway from side to side, but the motion helps to relieve trapped tension in the back.

Wide-Knee Children’s Pose

When performing this pose, focus on relaxing and allowing your body to restore itself. This pose is beneficial because you’re given a chance to rest your belly on the mat and stretch your hip flexors in preparation for labor.

As your belly continues to grow, you’ll likely find this is one of your go-to poses.

Legs on the Wall

If you’ve found that your experiencing swelling in your legs and feet during pregnancy, this pose is for you; this pose will allow you to elevate your feet, reducing the swelling in your legs.

However, as pregnancy continues lying on your back will become uncomfortable; therefore, we recommend lying on a pillow of some sort so that you’re not flat on your back.

Easy Pose

The last pose we are going to talk about should be done at the end of your practice. It helps to open up the back and hips, but the purpose of the pose is to thank your body for what it’s doing.

It’s also an opportunity for you to become one with your body and take the time to feel your baby in the womb. It’s essential that your instructor has a yoga teacher certification to ensure that you and your child remain safe during the practice.

Let’s Practice

When yoga poses for pregnant women are used, you’ll find that it can help make the labor process less intensive. This is because your body has continually been stretched and kept flexible for the journey ahead.

If you’re looking for more advice and articles that are beneficial for an expectant mother, read the other items on our blog.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

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Whether it’s your first or second child, preparing to start or continue a family is a beautiful step to take. It will likely change your life in ways you would never imagine and also add a new dynamic to your family. Housing a baby in your body for nine months isn’t an easy thing to do, so it’s important that you’re as prepared as possible. This means being mentally prepared by having as much information and knowledge as possible as well as being physically prepared. There are several ways that you can get physically prepared and most include making modifications to your lifestyle. This article is going to help you get started by giving you 5 ways that you can begin to prepare your body for pregnancy.

Get a Check-up

Before doing anything, one of the first things you should try when preparing your body for pregnancy is to go and get a full pre-pregnancy checkup. If you’ve never had one before, ideally the appointment will begin with the doctor going through yourself and your partners’ medical history. They may then go on to run a blood test as well as a pap smear in order to check for any conditions that could affect your likeliness of getting pregnant. Some other diseases they may be likely to check for are hepatitis B, HIV, Herpes, or other STDs. Depending on your ethnicity, they may also check for genetic diseases such as sickle cell, Thalassemia, or Tay-Sachs disease as they could affect your baby in the long-run. When going for a checkup, it is also important that you discuss any existing medical conditions that you may have with your doctor too. If, for instance, you have high blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, or asthma, keeping these illnesses under control is crucial. If it is discovered that you’re unable to carry a child for any reason, then you could also explore options such as adoption or a surrogate pregnancy in which another woman helps you carry your baby but uses your eggs.

Find Out When You’re Most Fertile

Tracking your cycle is another way that you can prepare for pregnancy. Everyone has a time of the month where they happen to be most fertile. You should, therefore, try and figure out when your most fertile period is as this will likely help you get pregnant faster. If you’re wondering how you can do this, you can begin by recording the beginning and end of your cycle every month. You should also look out for any irregularities such as abnormal bleeding and spotting. It is said that you’re likely to ovulate halfway through your cycle which is day 14. Your fertile window should begin at about day 10, so you’re more likely to get pregnant if you have sex between day 10 and 14 of a 28-day cycle. There are apps available that can help you identify your fertile days such as Fertility Friend, Glow, Clue, Ovia, Period Tracker and Conceivable. Aside from these, there are several others that you can look for in your app store. Also, if you’ve been on birth control, it’s a good idea to stop so that you can get back into the swing of a regular cycle again.

Avoid smoking and Drinking

If you happen to be a smoker or heavy drinker, then while preparing for pregnancy you should think about dropping those habits. This is because they can make it difficult for you to get pregnant as well as cause complications in your pregnancy too. Research shows that it’s likely that drinking more than five alcoholic beverages on a weekly basis could cause lower fertility. This could be because alcohol is said to depress the adrenal glands and slow the release of hormones that are produced by the adrenal glands which could directly impair your egg health and libido. You shouldn’t worry too much if you consume alcohol moderately, however, as this shouldn’t affect your ability to conceive. In terms of smoking, apparently, 10 or more cigarettes a day could affect your ability to get pregnant. More specifically, smoking can cause blockages in the fallopian tube, increase chances of an ectopic pregnancy, damage your eggs as they develop in your ovaries, cause cervical changes and increase your risk of miscarriage. For these reasons, it may be best to just avoid these things altogether.

Stress Less

When you’re under a lot of stress, it can make getting pregnant more of a challenge. Some ways that stress can affect fertility is by affecting the functioning of the hypothalamus which is the gland in the brain that regulates your appetite, emotions, and most significantly the hormones that tell your ovaries to release eggs. When you’re stressed, this could mean that you ovulate later in your cycle or you don’t ovulate at all. This then obviously has a direct impact on your ability to get pregnant. You should also note that it is sudden stress, both positive and negative, that could have an effect on your cycle. Some ways to manage your stress levels to speed up the process include taking time out to relax, not overburdening yourself. and engaging in relaxing activities on a regular basis.

Exercise Regularly

Exercise is an important step you should take when preparing your body for a baby. Being physically active prepares your body for the many changes that are going to happen during and after pregnancy. It should give you the energy that you need, ease constipation, help lift your spirit and reduce the chances of high blood pressure. Working out could also help prepare your body for labor which can be a stressful and challenging time for both you and your baby. For these reasons, it’s best to get into an exercise routine before getting pregnant.

Certain studies link exercise with fertility, and you can confirm with your doctor any recommended or restricted activities as you prepare to get pregnant. You may have also heard of wearing compression clothing when exercising. These garments are designed to help boost blood circulation and provide relief from muscle soreness.

For pregnant women who may be experiencing swelling in the ankles and lower leg, wearing compression socks may help in that area. On your to-buy list, consider having a pair of compression socks for exercising, walking, and traveling before and during pregnancy. They can come in a wide-calf option to get the right fit.  

When preparing for pregnancy, it is likely that you feel many different emotions in addition to a little anxiety. It can be nail biting waiting for a positive pregnancy test every month as well as challenging trying to make lifestyle changes. You should remember, however, that everything happens in its own time, so the best thing may be to relax, look after your body and think positively in the interim.

What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

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What Happens During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy

A lot can happen throughout your pregnancy. There will be highs and lows as it progresses—each trimester different than the others.

For some expectant mothers, the first trimester is where all the bad stuff happens: morning sickness, nausea, lightheadedness, mood swings—you name it! You’re dreading to know what’s in store for you next. But what really happens in the next trimester?

Whether you’re preparing to bear a child or nearing the second trimester yourself, this guide will help you learn what to expect during months 4 to 6 of pregnancy.

The Momma’s Guide to the Second Trimester

Good news! By the second trimester, you should expect all the nasty stuff that irked you in the last three months to fade. Your energy and mood are back—it’s like being your old self again.

Many expectant moms love the second trimester. They regard it as the easiest stage throughout their pregnancy.

While you’re feeling a lot better, you will experience major changes during this phase. And it’s important to know what to expect to help you prepare for them.

Your Baby’s Growth

Your baby is growing fast! As you enter week 18, your baby will weigh as much as a chicken breast. He or she will likely pack on the pounds by the end of the second trimester.

Another thing to be excited about is the fact that you can now feel little jabs and kicks in your belly!

Here are more fetal developments you can expect:

  • Skin, hair, and nails.Your baby now has tiny hairs—and eyelashes too. He or she will be covered with a downy fuzz known as lanugo. Vernix caseosa follows on; this greasy layer will protect your baby’s skin from the acid in amniotic fluid.
  • Your baby starts sucking and swallowing to prepare for life outside the womb.
  • Your baby’s brain now regulates his or her heartbeat. You should clearly hear it with a stethoscope come week 20.

Your Changing Body

During the second trimester, your body should be transforming from looking plump to actually looking pregnant. For some women, certain symptoms from the first trimester may persist, but there will be new changes as well.

  • Breast enlargement. Your breasts will continue to grow to prepare for breastfeeding. On the brighter side, much of the tenderness you’ve felt from the previous trimester should be wearing off. It’s best to go one size up or more when wearing a bra to keep you more comfortable.
  • Heartburn and constipation. During this stage, your body is producing more progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone. It affects the esophageal muscle that keeps the acid and food down in the stomach and pushes your food through the intestines. You can avoid heartburn by having small frequent feedings. Meanwhile, taking more fiber and extra fluids should keep constipation at bay.
  • Skin changes. A dark line on your abdomen, called linea nigra, will start to appear. This skin change is usually temporary and should fade away after giving birth. You may also notice spider and varicose veins appearing on your legs. This is due to the increasing pressure in your lower limbs.

Your Weight Gain

Expect to gain pregnancy weight during the second trimester. This is due to your growing baby and your increasing appetite. If you had a normal weight pre-pregnancy, it’s advisable to gain around one pound a week, with a total of fourteen pounds throughout the trimester.

But don’t overdo it. Packing on way too many pounds increases your chances of pregnancy complications, such as gestational diabetes and hypertension.

It’s best to discuss weight requirements with your doctor so you’ll know how much weight to gain throughout pregnancy.

Your Prenatal Care

Prenatal care during the second trimester will focus on your baby’s development and detecting any pregnancy problems.

Your healthcare provider will regularly check your weight and blood pressure, as well as the size of your uterus. Your doctor will often want to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. He or she can suggest a screening test using a reliable ultrasound transducer to find out your baby’s sex.

You’re almost there!

While you’re waiting for your belly to pop, take advantage of the second trimester. Pamper yourself while you can. The third trimester is on its way, and before you know it, you’ll be holding your tiny bundle of joy in your arms.

Image: https://www.babble.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/489226561-624×416.jpg

An overview about C section delivery

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Source: Unsplash | Patricia Prudente

C section is considered to be the safest delivery option when there are concerns about the health of your baby. In fact, caesarean section name origin did occur from Julius Caesar who was assumed to be the first baby who was born by this method. There are benefits along with risks associated with this type of delivery as you need to discuss with your doctor before going ahead.

The benefits

In case if a woman did not have a C section delivery before, if the C section is planned it could prove to be beneficial for the following reasons:

  • Vaginal injury
  • Pain before and after the delivery
  • After birth heavy bleeding

In no way this does not mean that these things are not going to happen. The risk would a lot lower in the event of a vaginal delivery. The risk of pain during bowel movements and sex cannot be a lot higher than vaginal birth.

The risks

Once you are having a C section delivery it enhances risk to both the mother and even the baby. Why is a Caesarean called a Caesarean is because of this reason as well.  Discuss with your doctor on how these risks can have an impact on the baby

  • Bleeding could pave way for transfusion of blood or even the womb can be removed. Though this would be a lot uncommon and this could arise in case if you had any problem with the placenta or when pregnant suffer from heavy bleeding
  • Issues may crop up of becoming pregnant in the future
  • Possibility of heart attack

Once a C section delivery is undertaken late during the stage of pregnancy there is a strong chance of preterm birth in the following pregnancies. If it is done at full dilation, the risk would increase from 2 % to 15 %. The list of possible risks to the baby might include

  • A cut to the baby during the course of surgery if the baby is a minor and they are known to heal quickly.
  • Occurrence of breathing problems once the baby is born before 39 weeks of pregnancy. Though in most of the cases the breathing problems are expected to become a lot better after a few days, though some babies might have to proceed to a neonatal unit. Discuss with your doctor in case if you are worried about the breathing of your baby when you are still at the hospital.

C section and implications in long term conditions

Till date there is not a lot of material available on how C section has long term implications on the health of a baby. Though there are traces of evidence that is available showcasing the fact that long term implications can occur due to C section delivery. Why this risk is higher still there is no clarity on the same. Yes, it all could boil down to the cause of C section itself. One of the theories could be that the baby is not exposed to enough bacteria in the vagina of the mother.

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