How can I have a safe, easy childbirth due 6/20/17

proudmommyofdraven7517

I'm a bit nervous about labor I'm a first time mom/teen mom I know nothing about childbirth expect the basics what are some ways to have a smooth easy labor? I'm so anxious to meet my baby but scared as well, don't know what to expect I've already been having signs that labor is near or that my body is preparing for labor one of the two so scared!

MrsCaliRN

proudmommyofdraven7517 said:

I'm a bit nervous about labor I'm a first time mom/teen mom I know nothing about childbirth expect the basics what are some ways to have a smooth easy labor? I'm so anxious to meet my baby but scared as well, don't know what to expect I've already been having signs that labor is near or that my body is preparing for labor one of the two so scared!

Hi and congrats on being a mommy soon! You have some great questions and goals that are very much shared by every mom here. We have a weekly Labor thread, the last one was for the week of 05/22 https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/12709255/the-great-big-labor-thread-5-22#latest , that may be useful for you. Otherwise, feel free create your own Labor thread for the week and soak up the pearls of wisdom the lovely ladies on the June '17 board have to offer.

P.S. I see you're new, so be sure to intro yourself in our intro thread and lurk around. Using the search function is also a good idea. 

Edited to quote original post

ellie111227

Learn about childbirth so you know what to expect. You should know the stages of labor, when to head to the hospital, and some basics about recovery at the least. Google led me to this website, which might be helpful for you : https://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/first-stage-of-labor/

Figure out who will be with you when you are in labor: the baby's father if he will be a good support for you, maybe your mom or a close friend, or a doula (especially if you don't have anyone else knowledgeable). Maybe sure that person is also fairly well informed about what to expect and how to support you. The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin is a great resourcd to help them learn if there is time left for them to read a book.

Talk to your medical provider about when you should call and when you should leave for the hospital. Some circumstances could make it important for you to be there sooner than others. Touring your hospital or birth center is also a good idea so you know what to expect and where to go when you get there. This might put you more at ease, which is helpful. Figure out what their policies are and what they recommend you bring. Be sure to have hair ties (if you have long hair) and chap stick. If you are going to be able to drink water or juice do that as much as possible. Either way eat something with protein and carbs before you leave for the hospital (pbj or Mac n cheese are good options) so you have calories to work with to get through labor. Most hospitals won't give you food in labor, although some more modern ones will.

And talk to your medical provider about what your options are for pain management so you can decide what your goals are and know what to expect. Some people want an epidural as soon as possible (but depending on your situation you will probably have to wait at least a little while anyway!) and some people want to avoid pain meds as meds as much as possible. Depending on what you are hoping to do, you may want to prepare differently. At the very least, you want to have thought through what you want to know what to say when your nurse asks you at the hospital. 

Good luck!

anitamargarita_82

Troll??? 

MrsCaliRN

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Stankonia2014

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Now now, is that tone very welcoming?

erinh84

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Just waiting for the WK's who think they run the June board now to show up and tell us we're mean. Our BMB has gone to crap. I kind of want to fight for our honor, but I'm too exhausted with the new baby tbh.

anitamargarita_82

Stankonia2014 said:

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Now now, is that tone very welcoming?

That tone is totes welcoming!

Stankonia2014

erinh84 said:

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Just waiting for the WK's who think they run the June board now to show up and tell us we're mean. Our BMB has gone to crap. I kind of want to fight for our honor, but I'm too exhausted with the new baby tbh.

@lovesclimbing's current status:

erinh84

Stankonia2014 said:

erinh84 said:

Wearmi1 said:

Troll??? 

Just waiting for the WK's who think they run the June board now to show up and tell us we're mean. Our BMB has gone to crap. I kind of want to fight for our honor, but I'm too exhausted with the new baby tbh.

@lovesclimbing's current status:

Exactly what I was thinking.