First time moms are too anxious in preparation for their labor, so they need some labor tips that can help them.
Worrying about your labor is commonly normal for first timers. But, it does not make the preparation for the labor easier. Learning some tips on what to expect in labor will surely be a big help for the first time moms.
You successfully made your baby, which was the fun part, and now you have pregnancy on hand. Labor, however, is drawing nearer and it is a fact that you may both cheer and dread. But even if it will be your first baby, you may approach labor and delivery with a plan.
According to Dr. Keller, giving birth is a highly emotional and largely uncontrollable event, so it is important to discuss what a pregnant mother is afraid of beforehand. She added that chatting with your doctor directly may let you feel at ease and upbeat.
Also, “approaching labor with a positive mood can help you feel lesser pain, avoid C-sections, and feel satisfied with your experience”, she stated further.
To help moms more with tips for first time labor, we are gonna talk all about what to do and what to expect during your labor.
Signs your body is getting ready for labor
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There are several signs that your body is getting ready or the labor has started. These are the following:
- a contraction or tightening
- a “show”, when the plug of the mucus from your cervix, (entrance of your womb, or uterus) goes away
- backache
- a usual urge to go to the bathroom, which is caused by your baby’s head popping out on your bowel
- your water starts to break
You need urgent medical attention if:
- your waters break
- you have vaginal bleeding
- your baby is moving more than usual
- you’re less than 37 weeks pregnant and you feel you might be in labor
These signs indicate that you need to see a doctor or midwife immediately.
5 simple tips for moms in their first time labor
Giving birth and labor is both exciting and terrifying for first time moms who are restless and looking for tips. To be fair, pregnancies from mothers to mothers differ. Just as your birth experience will be unique to you and your baby.
Here are the reviewed 10 tips for first time moms who are expecting their incoming labor.
1. Labor and delivery will be like nothing you have ever experienced before.
When you remember the worst cramps that you’ve had, you may multiply it by 100. Labor feels like that.
Additionally, there is pelvic pressure, the urge to push, vomiting, pooping, sweating, and tearing. These may simultaneously happen during seem-to-be-forever labor for the first time.
However, if millions or billions of women did it, you can do it, too! You just need a lot to prepare for this exciting yet, roller-coaster-of-emotions event in your life as a mother.
2. Most L&D nurses are on your side
Most labor and delivery nurses are always trying their best to give you the best labor and birth possible. They will also honor your wishes 100%.
Labor and delivery nurses’ job is to be your pregnancy and labor coach, advocate, teacher, partner, doula, your voice. And, someone who can help save you and your baby’s life if necessary.
They follow and prepare your birth plan based on your preference and scheduled date. And also to help your family and friends that will look after you.
3. Things may not go as planned
In crucial times, babies like to act like “babies” and drop their heart rates, and make all the nurses go crazy. Sometimes, moms need C-section delivery regardless of if they will have the most natural birth possible.
And, in the exact time that you will feel that everything is in your plans will comes the alteration of things. Birth is not going to be the way you planned it, but it is all good.
4. Your L&D nurses will try to tell you everything they will do but sometimes emergencies happen
Your nurses or midwives are all about informed consent. They will always do their best to give you some forewarning if they see something is not going as planned.
However, sometimes real emergencies happen and doctors need to perform c-section delivery without much talking. Of course, they will ask for your consent because it is simply against the law if they performed it without your consent.
5. You might curse at your L&D or get angry with them because you are in labor pain but they will not take it personally
Labor pain is no joke, and sometimes the pain turns you into a crazy woman that wants to scream at your nurse. To be fair, your nurses will never take it personally because they understand it “professionally”.
Sometimes, moms screaming (not exactly at someone) is one of the tips that may help them to exert more force while pushing during the first time of labor.
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How to prepare moms for first time labor pain?
Pain during labor is caused by contractions in the muscles of the uterus and by pressure on the cervix. This pain is similar to a strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling.
Some pregnant mothers experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
Preparing yourself
To help you with labor pain, here are some things you may prepare and start doing before or during your pregnancy.
Regular and appropriate exercise may help strengthen your muscles and prepare your body for the labor stress. Exercise can also improve your endurance, which will come in handy if you have a longer labor.
The important thing to do with exercise is not to overdo it, and this is of course true if you are pregnant.
If you and your partner attend childbirth classes, you will learn different approaches in handling pain, from visualization to stretch designed to strengthen your muscles that supports your uterus.
You may also use pain medicines only as prescribed by the doctor “during” the start of your labor and delivery only.
Natural ways for moms to prepare your body for the first time of labor
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There are hundreds of pregnancy books on the market that are telling you this and that regarding labor. While specified things work with different people, it is a good idea to get familiarized with some of the natural ways to prepare your body for labor.
These include the following:
- Learn a few simple breathing techniques
- Create a playlist of your favorite songs
- Change positions – walk, squat, lay on your side, sit, get on all fours
- Consider having a water birth
- Moaning, not screaming out loud, helps in relieving pain
- Let your partner massage you
- Plan a well-balanced diet that is applicable to you and for your pregnancy
Tips in preparing for labor exercise for first time moms
Get your body ready for labor and delivery with some exercises recommended by doctors and researchers from MayoClinic. All of these exercises can optimize great benefits many benefits with minimal effort, and they don’t require special equipment.
But of course, ask your doctor to confirm that you don’t have any limitations before you attempt any of these exercises on the list. Better be wary of these labor exercise tips for moms like you for your first time.
Butterfly stretch
This is an exercise that strengthens and stretches muscles in your back, thighs, and pelvis, and may improve your posture. It also keeps your pelvic joints flexible, optimizes blood flow to your lower body, and eases labor and delivery.
Sit on the floor with your back straight in the butterfly position (the bottoms of your feet tucked together and your knees dropped comfortably). As you press both knees slowly into the floor using your elbows, you may feel a stretch in your inner thighs.
The pelvic floor muscles help in supporting the pelvic organs which are the uterus, bladder, and bowels. If you tone them you may ease many discomforts of late pregnancy such as hemorrhoids and urine leakage.
Try to stop the flow of urine when you are sitting on the toilet bowl without tightening your abdominal, buttock, or thigh muscles. When you successfully start and stop urinating, or you feel the vaginal muscle contract, you are using the pelvic floor muscle. This is the muscle that should be contracting during Kegel exercises.
Pelvic tilt
Pelvic tilts strengthen abdominal muscles, supports in relieving backache during pregnancy and labor, and ease delivery. This exercise can also develop the flexibility of your back, and ward off back pain.
You may do this pelvic tilt in various positions, but down on your hands and knees is the easiest way to learn it. Get comfortable with your hands and knees keeping your head aligned with your back.
Short Reminder
It is only natural to feel excitement and anxiety for your first time in labor, hence you have read many tips for first time moms. But always remember, always consult with your doctor about what is best for your health and safety, as well as your baby’s.
Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.
