I freaking love y’all. I mentioned that I was a little anxious for labor & delivery as it’s approaching in the next two weeks, and SO many of you delivered with the best tips and advice to help ease my fears! I compiled some of my favorite messages and listed them below. It was way too good not to share the wealth!
XOXO
- Go in with no expectations other than meeting your little babe and just enjoy it
- Let your husband be involved (if he wants to be)
- It’s worth it! The pain won’t last forever, but the love you have will
- Don’t waste your energy
- Have an advocate
- Drink raspberry leaf tea
- Exercise balls, warm baths, heat packs on your back and walk around while in labor
- Eat before or on the way to the hospital because usually they won’t let you eat during active labor
- I tried to do 100 squats a day and had my baby in three hours from first contraction to delivery
- Trust your body! Move where it says to move, pee when you have to pee, even if it’s on the floor
- Preload a playlist that calms you, practice deep breaths to exhale the tension and pain
- Prenatal Yoga – recommend Harmony Yoga with Neely Sadden
- Bring slippers and if you get hot ask the nurses for a fan
- Save any cute custom gown for after delivery
- Things may not go according to your plans and that’s ok
- Go into labor/delivery with an open mind
- See if the lactation consultant can work with you right away after delivery
- Don’t listen to any of the horror stories
- Pack jolly ranchers- you typically can’t eat and they help when you’re starving
- Be prepared for unexpected contractions while nursing the first time
- Instant skin on skin will help your milk supply
- Relax and focus on one thing… breathing
- Dim lights
- Bring a comfort item that soothes you
- Get the epidural & breatheeee
- Remember that your sweet babe is just around the corner.
- Let go of all your expectations
- Make sure you bring hair ties and chapstick
- Get the epidural before anything else
- No amount of books or classes prepare you but the parental instincts are strong and kick in quickly
- Bring your nurses treats!
- Ice chips… lots of ice chips
- Take a bath, it helps with contractions
- Eat dates to help with labor
- Push when you feel ready, not just when you’re at 10cm
- Bring meals to the hospital, not just snacks.
- You’ve got this!
Hi! I'm Chandler, owner of Spokane Eats, and I think life is too short for the mediocre. Our team is here to help you discover why we fell (and continue to fall) in love with Spokane Washington!
Leave all expectations of what a birth should be like and just go with what feels right to you. You’ll feel less pressure and roll with the punches.
Love this! Thank you!