5 WAYS TO PHYSICALLY PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR BIRTH
Photo Credit: Unsplash stock images/ @jonathanborba
Birth is a hugely transitional experience that changes you both physically and mentally. For first-time parents especially, your body is about to go through something it has never experienced before, and therefore it is important to prepare your body as much as you can, so that the transition can be as smooth as possible. The following suggestions are a few ways you can work with your body to improve your birth.
MOVEMENT
Giving birth requires physical endurance and stamina, not only could labour last for days on end, but your body may experience sensations that it’s not used to that can be painful. Regularly moving your body during pregnancy can help to improve your flexibility, core strength and boost your endorphin reserve, which all help with labour. Some examples include; gym sessions, swimming, pregnancy yoga and other pregnancy-safe exercise classes.
IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH
Your gut microbiome is an ecosystem of different bacteria that help to boost your immune system and aid processes like digestion. For our bodies to work optimally, we need to be mindful of what we are eating, how much we are moving our bodies, our stress levels and the pollutants we are exposing our body to, among other things. Adding more gut-friendly foods to your diet during pregnancy will not only boost your own microbiome, but also the microbiome of your unborn child.
PERINEAL MASSAGE
During labour, your perineum needs to stretch in order to make space for your baby to enter the world. This is why it is vital that you prep the area by improving your skin’s elasticity to avoid any tearing or an episiotomy. First time parents, in particular, have a higher chance of tearing if they don’t engage in perineal massage during pregnancy.
BIRTH PREP CLASS
Book onto a hypnobirthing course with me to remove the scary unknown from the equation, so that you feel more confident to make decisions about your care, enforce your birth rights, understand how to train your body and mind for birth, as well as learning how your partner and birth team can help increase your chances of getting the birth experience you want.
VISIT A CHIROPRACTOR
Ensure your pelvis isn’t the reason your baby is finding it more difficult to get into the optimal position for labour. Having a chiropractic assessment will help you align your pelvis to create space for your baby to move into the most comfortable position during pregnancy.
There is no one-size-fits-all way to prepare for childbirth as every body is different and has its own needs and limitations. Always consult your medical team before starting new supplements or diets during pregnancy, and only exercise in a way that is comfortable for you and your baby. If you would like to find out more about how hypnobirthing can help you during your pregnancy, please book a free clarity call with me.
Love, Megan
