[MissButtercup]

Hi there,
What are you doing to prepare yourself for labour and birth? I've just order Calm Birth and Birth Skills to read and have been continuing my normal routine at the gym to keep my fitness up.
Closer to due date I'll take raspberry leaf tea but not sure what else at this stage. This will hopefully be VBA2C so trying as many things as I can.

This post has been edited by MissButtercup: 08/05/2012, 01:39 PM

[password123]

I'm 37 weeks and I'm currently:
- using the epi-no
- listening to my hypnobabies tracks (one a day)
- taking 2g raspberry leaf, and 1g evening primrose capsules twice daily.
- trying to walk the dogs every day but it's getting hard because I get shooting pains up my vag and pass about 5 houses before I get the overwhelming urge to pee

[White-Lily]

I still have a while to go but I will just do what I did with DD
- bounce on my fit ball whenever possible
- take RLT (tablet form)
- re-read Birth Skills and practice visualization and relaxation techniques
- remain active
- have more sex

[MissButtercup]

What's epi-no? That's a new one for me?

Will have to ad the evening promise to my routine further down the track... The fit ball as well

[Strawberry Welli...]

I'm 35 weeks. Been reading birth skills and taking note of exercises I like the look of. Plan to photocopy some of the key pages and highlight things to show DH and to take into hospital. I plan to practice some of the exercises as well - I got some juggling balls/stress balls to give some of those strategies a go.

I'm also planning on starting perineal massage from next week so will need to look up the technique. Would love not to tear this time.

As the date gets closer will probably try and have sex more often for the prostaglandin - if I'm in the mood at that stage lol.

Bouncing on fitball is a good idea, and obviously trying to keep active and walk as often as I can but I have to admit I'm not great with that as I work full time in an office job.

Edited to add - Also making sure I psych myself up psychologically for the labour, reminding myself of the physiology of it all so I can visualise it, and also the motivating / empowering things I can say to myself at the time

This post has been edited by Strawberry Wellies: 07/05/2012, 08:07 PM

[MrsWidget]

Whatvdoes bouncing on a fit ball do??

I'm aiming for a VBAC. So far I have a doula, am reading Hypnobirthing, do a hypnobirth meditation each night, focus on positive visualization and mindfulness.

[ubermum]

I'm 37 weeks this week with no.3.

I bought a capsule today. I probably should buy some maternity pads to have on hand and think about packing a bag. I have loaded some self hypnosis for labour mp3's onto my phone, but I want to finish an essay for uni and the book I am reading first. Oh and I have told my mum that she is my back up drive to the hospital driver if dh is away at work when it happens, I will just drive me and the kids to her place and let her take over from there. I'm actually not that prepared. I want it out but don't want to go early. I feel like if I am ready, I will encourage what already feels like a baby that is in a hurry.

[Joey11]

I did prenatal yoga from about 5 months to 1 day before birth (DS born March). It really helped reduce aches and increase flexibility during pregnancy, as well as helped during labour. I recommed it highly.

[Chelara]

Vbac attempt here too. Not allowed to go overdue so I am a little desperate (dd was a week over). I am doing the evening primrose oil internally and orally, raspberry leaf capsules- which are safe to start from second trimester onward, clary sage oil - have just started this as I am now 37.5 weeks. I have birth skills but have only quickly read through it and need to do so again. Lots of walking.

[White-Lily]

I just found bouncing on the fit ball was great for my posture/sore back and hips and I heard it would help to get DD into position and keep her there.
No idea if it actually did anything of worth but it felt good and was comfortable. DD's birth was a straight forward, quick VB with no damage.