A few golden rules which I would like to pass on to you….

Preparing for a natural birth

• Learn relaxation and breathing techniques such as HypnoBirthing® to help you cope without drugs.
• Eat carefully and well…but not for two adults.
• Drink lots of water.
• Keep taking gentle regular exercise throughout your pregnancy.
• Get good support: the continuous support through labour of a midwife, doula or experienced woman friend has been shown to improve birth outcomes.
• Talk in detail with your caregivers and be sure they respect your choices.
• Educate yourself about the birth process so that you can visualise what is happening.
• Think positively and don’t dwell on scare stories: think about what can go right, not what can go wrong.
• Inquire about using a birthing pool when you are in established labour.
• If possible choose to birth at home or in a free-standing birth centre.

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Achieving a natural birth once you are in labour

• Be patient and let labour start on its own.
• Stay at home for as long as you can.
•  When transferring to hospital take pillows/duvet in. Fool your subconscious into thinking you are still at home – bring familiar things with you, play music you associate with relaxation.
•  Wear your own nightie, not a hospital gown. You are not a patient.
• Keep the room dim and quiet. No TV, talking or loud music.
• Cut down the number of people with you to a bare minimum – birth is not a spectator sport. A watched cervix never dilates.
• Keep hydrated and keep your energy levels up with energy drinks and snacks
•  Visit the bathroom frequently
• Keep mobile and change position frequently.
• Trust your body to do what it was made to do; Every time a contraction begins, welcome it in. Never fight it.

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Starting your new life with your baby

• Be gentle on yourself and on your baby – don’t expect instant perfection in your appearance, emotions, routine, housekeeping.
• Sleep when your baby sleeps.
• This little person is still effectively part of your body.  The first three months of a baby’s life are unsettled and sometimes called the fourth trimester of pregnancy: be patient.
• Rigid feeding routines can be very harmful to the breastfeeding process. However, if you keep daytime feeds full of social interaction and night-time feeds more quiet, dark and peaceful, you will lay the foundations of a workable sleep routine for your child.
• Remember everything is a phase. Your baby is changing day by day.
• Use a body-hugging baby sling and keep your baby near you all the time: you will probably get more sleep and the baby will cry less.
• It’s tempting to rely on convenience foods – but don’t miss out on fruit and fresh vegetables, raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and of course lots of water.
• Accept all the practical help you are offered.
• Keep in touch with friends – don’t let yourself become isolated.
• Try not to think in terms of “getting back to normal”. Your framework for “normal” life has changed for ever, because now you are a parent. You are moving forwards. Things will always be different…and you will love it.