Pregnancy is full of joy and hardships. You are probably looking so forward to this time but there are rough waters ahead.
Learning to balance the good with the bad will allow you to get the most out of pregnancy and it will help create the best experience possible.
Below we talk about some of the harder parts of pregnancy and how to cope well so you can enjoy the process even more.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Coping With Pregnancy | 8 Reasons Why Pregnancy Is So Hard And What To Do About It
Pin It For Later On Pinterest!
Pregnancy is physically demanding:
The body goes through a lot of changes throughout pregnancy.
The symptoms and stressors can be difficult to manage at times, and although each pregnancy is different, it’s still hard on the body.
Heartburn, backache, fatigue, swollen feet and ankles, and nausea are all too common in pregnancy.
Pair that with the weight gain and malaise and you can see that the body goes through the wringer.
The first trimester is always the hardest. Once you make it through that it’s usually pretty smooth sailing.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
What you can do:
Practice real-life self-care to manage those symptoms.
Rest when tired but make sure to stay active, too.
Elevate swollen feet and ankles; take advantage of massages whenever you can, and most of all stay positive and hopeful.
Pregnancy is an exciting time, focus on the joy of bringing that little one into the world and you’ll do just fine.
Mood swings are common:
Excited one moment and tears the next! Hormones especially can cause significant mood swings during pregnancy (during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy your
estrogen levels increase 100x, crazy right!).
Outside of hormones mood swings can be contributed to a variety of factors: physical stress, fatigue and a changing metabolism all result in mood swings that
continue throughout the pregnancy.
How To cope Better:
I’m not going to lie; you may have to make apologies here and there because of your moods, but so what. Being moody is just part of the deal when it comes to pregnancy.
Surround yourself with supportive people, forgive yourself, take time alone if needed, and try to recognize it for what it is.
Getting tons of rest will really help in the mood department so make sure you make plenty of time for it.
Pregnancy brain:
It is normal to be forgetful during pregnancy but it is frustrating. Pregnancy brain is more than just forgetfulness, it’s a mental fog that sometimes rolls in and leaves you
disconnected from a conversation or moment.
You might come across as inattentive or unaware to others. Don’t worry though, you’re pregnant and will be forgiven.
You will soon regain your mental sharpness after your baby comes so just hang in there.
It’s Scary:
Pregnancy can be scary especially if you’ve never given birth before. And… It can be scary even if you have.
You don’t know what to expect and it scares the daylights out of you.
Your thoughts are now centered over what each change of your body means; you’ll wonder if things are normal, is everything okay and you’ll obsess over delivery.
If this is your first-time or you’re high risk, you may be even more concerned and obsessive. It can be pretty rough to worry so much.
It’s normal to be a little scared but I promise it’s going to be okay, women do this every day.
What you can do:
Read the book titled “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”. You will learn so much about your body, labor, and delivery.
Listen to advice from your mom, or from someone who’s experienced it and that you trust.
Be open and upfront with doctors when you have questions or concerns, and between appointments write any questions down.
Engage your spouse in the process, they’re probably nervous too.
Your relationship is tested:
Between the physical changes and the emotional rollercoaster, pregnancy can take a toll on even the strongest relationships.
Things you’ve never considered are now at the forefront of your mind.
Remember, pregnancy affects both of you.
Here’s How To Cope:
Discuss this early on and agree to work as hard as you can to be supportive of each other and talk about it again later if you need to.
Ask for your spouse’s understanding and patience during the physical challenges and mood swings.
Show your gratitude and appreciation for the extra care and attention, let them know they are part of this pregnancy too. Don’t stop being the wife your spouse needs (they’re scared of that too).
Some stuff is off-limits:
FOMO “fear of missing out” becomes real when you’re expecting.
Consuming alcohol, soaking in those super hot baths and roller coasters are all out. You’ll probably find yourself bummed once or twice because you can’t do what everyone else is doing.
What you can do:
Make alternative plans when you can, modify what your entertainment looks like, and ultimately accept that’s the way it is for now.
Plan ahead, treat yourself, and continue to focus on the positives.
Your clothes won’t fit:
Your body will change quickly and frequently during your special time.
Before too long you won’t be able to wear your favorite jeans and nothing you have will fit.
Here’s How To Cope:
Invest in some maternity pieces that you love, pants that can be both casual and dress, and used for multiple occasions.
Don’t spend too much on clothing you’ll get rid of later. Investing in a couple of carefully chosen outfits will ensure you have something to wear when needed.
Remember comfortable is better. Pick pieces that are very stretchy yet look nice.
It’s life-changing:
When baby arrives life as you know it will be profoundly different. You will be responsible for another life and that IS a big deal.
You will spend a lot of time thinking about labor, delivery, and life after the baby comes.
Pregnancy is tough on the body and really hard on the mind. But it well worth the effort and wait. There’s nothing like it in this world.
Here’s How to Cope:
Talk to your spouse. about the future and any worries or concerns you have. Deal with your anxiety together and let your partner express how they feel as well.
Instead of worrying so much spend time imagining what your he\she will look like, and focus energy on preparing for baby’s arrival.
Get the room or space ready, shop for diapers and clothing, and educate yourself on pregnancy and delivery.
Coping with pregnancy can really test your sanity and it’s all a lot of hard work. But it’s also one of the most amazing experiences that a woman can have. I have had three little ones and I had a tough time but it was still some of the best times of my life and I really miss being pregnant.
So enjoy those moments, mama. The good and the bad because they all come down to one thing and that’s the birth of your baby. And it’s all so worth it.
Good luck to you!!
If you loved this post it would be awesome if you could share it or save it on Pinterest or share it on Facebook! You can use the special images below that I created for you! Thanks!
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With These Special Images!
Pregnancy is a whirlwind of fun and excitement. It’s a little different for every mama and everyone has an opinion about how it will go for you.
But some surprising things happen that many don’t talk about and some weird symptoms often show up that can be confusing.
In the list below I go over strange things about pregnancy you may have not heard of until today.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and this online course is quick and easy.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
23 Things About Pregnancy That No One Tells You
Pin It For Later On Pinterest!!
Morning Sickness Is All Day Sickness
Morning sickness often doesn’t go away in the mornings. It sometimes lasts and lasts all day long.
You may have heard of this before, it’s pretty common knowledge.
But you just can’t imagine how bad it can be until you’ve experienced it. Luckily there are safe medicines you can take if it gets out of control.
It can also last your whole pregnancy so if you feel like you need something talk to your doc and get a prescription to help.
There are some simple things that can help too like these pregnancy pops and these bands for your wrist. They are for motion sickness but work well for Morning Sickness. I used them myself so I highly recommend them.
Food Aversions are a thing
This is something I totally didn’t expect. You’re told that you’ll be so hungry during pregnancy and want to eat so much.
But for some ( like me ) everything will seem gross. Apples will taste and smell like onions and meat will be a complete no go.
****Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? Get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
This is more common than you think and many don’t mention it when talking about pregnancy.
You feel sick when you don’t eat yet everything seems too nasty to ingest. I ended up drinking liquid cream just to get enough calories.
I have no answer for this issue. All I can say is I hope it is not as bad for you as it was for me.
You Shouldn’t Actually Eat For Two
If you’re one of those lucky gals who can eat then make sure you keep it in check. Don’t believe the old wive’s tale that you’re eating for two.
If you do this you may gain way more weight than you are supposed to.
You actually only need 300 to 500 extra calories a day throughout your whole pregnancy so keep that in mind when you’re enjoying all that food.
I would love it if you’d join our Facebook group real quick! You can get support or ask questions that I will personally answer. Just click here or the banner below!
The Tiredness Is Out Of This World
We all know that being tired is part of being pregnant, especially in the first trimester. I mean you’re building a brand new human and that takes a lot out of a person.
But the tiredness you experience is so intense it’s like a sickness. You feel SICK from exhaustion and this happens to most pregnant mamas. It’s very common.
I would go to work, get off at three, and go to bed by six. This happened my whole first trimester.
I was that tired. If I were able I would have stayed in bed 24 hours a day for three months.
So prepare yourself for this exhaustion by making plenty of room for sleep. Don’t make plans during that first trimester and warn your partner that you’ll need lots of extra rest.
You May Get Varicose Veins In Your Vagina
This one can be a real nasty surprise. You can actually get these thick bulging veins known as Varicose Veins that stick out of your vagina.
One morning during my third pregnancy I woke up and took a shower and I felt discomfort, itching, and swelling. I checked myself and what I found was crazy and scary.
Overnight I got huge veins just sticking right out of there. I called the doc and they said this is actually not that uncommon, especially if you’ve had more than one pregnancy.
So don’t freak out if it happens to you. It usually goes away after pregnancy and doesn’t become any sort of problem.
And Hemorrhoids
As your uterus gets bigger during pregnancy, the pressure it puts on veins can cause them to swell, also leading to hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum and are common during pregnancy, unfortunately, especially in the third trimester when the enlarged uterus puts pressure on the veins.
So you can expect this as well. Here’s a good cream that can help if this becomes an issue for you as well. A good donut pillow is an excellent idea for the whole area while pregnant and especially after during your postpartum recovery.
It Can Hurt To Poop
Once your Uterus gets really large having a bowel movement can be painful. Especially if you become constipated.
While pushing you can touch some of the nerve systems inside of your body and it can hurt to push past them.
It only hurts for a moment but it is NOT good.
This was happening to me and that was how my doc explained what was going on. She said it doesn’t happen to every pregnant mama but it does to some, especially if your baby is big.
I had three pregnancies and it only happened during my first with my biggest baby.
Hopefully, this won’t occur with your pregnancy but if it does now you’ll know what’s going on.
Your nose will be stuffy
Your nose may become very blocked during pregnancy. It’s extremely annoying because on top of everything else you cannot breathe well.
It usually happens in the second trimester and lasts through the rest of your pregnancy.
If it does contact your doc, you may be able to take an oral decongestant.
You Can Get Carpal Tunnel
If you have tingling, numb and painful hands during pregnancy, especially at night, you likely have carpal tunnel syndrome.
CTS is very common in pregnancy. It happens when there is a build-up of fluid in your wrist and it puts pressure on the nerves in the area.
If you have CTS in one pregnancy, you are likely to have it in later pregnancies as well.
This condition typically goes away after you have your baby so don’t worry about it too much unless the pain becomes unbearable.
You Are Smelly
While pregnant your body is producing a crazy amount of hormones and it can make you smell strong. And because you’re pregnant you’ll be able to smell it much more than you otherwise would because your senses are heightened.
You may need to bathe often to wash away that hormonal residue so that you can feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Something else that is not often talked about is the smell after birth.
After birth, your body is spewing even more hormones as many changes begin to occur. You’ll smell double strong and it can be seriously unpleasant.
You’ll also have an intense smell from down there. It smells like a wound healing because, well it is.
Your placenta was ripped from the walls of your uterus and it has to heal. All those blood vessels were attached to it and it is, in fact, an open wound.
That wound smell can last for a couple of months unfortunately and it can be embarrassing. You can use a peri bottle like this to help cleanse yourself and you can bathe often. But until the inside of your uterus totally heals the smell will likely stay present.
Sex Will Change
Sex can go two ways during pregnancy. It will either disgust you and you’ll want nothing to do with it or you’ll be horny.
It seems that when women are pregnant with girls they’re more interested but with boys, it’s the other way around.
Or at least that is the pattern I’ve noticed with myself and others I have interviewed.
But everyone is different and we all respond to pregnancy hormones in our own way.
Your Skin Will Grow Things
Pregnancy hormones stimulate the hyperactive growth of certain cells in the top layer of skin. This can create unusual yucky bumps like skin tags.
Many women get these on their face, neck, underarms, and around their breasts during this time, but they usually go away after pregnancy. If they don’t head to the dermatologist.
There Will Be Cramps
Sometimes while pregnant you’ll have cramps and they can be scary.
During the first trimester as your uterus grows you can have them, or during the second trimester when your ligaments start to stretch.
It’s usually nothing to be alarmed about unless the pain is accompanied by blood in which case you should call your doctor right away.
You May Feel Sad
Not everyone is super excited to be pregnant. Even when you can’t wait to meet your baby you still may have depressed feelings.
It’s those pesky hormones that cause so many ups and downs so don’t expect to be over the moon all the time.
If you’re feeling down the best thing to do is get some extra rest. This will likely make all the difference in how you feel.
Heartburn Can Be Awful
Heartburn can be a real problem for mamas because of progesterone, the hormone that relaxes muscles during pregnancy.
It relaxes the stomach valve that keeps acid out of the esophagus. The growing uterus crowds the stomach as well, forcing acid into the esophagus.
You can avoid heartburn as much as possible by following the tips in this post on Healthline.
You’ll Be Constipated
Constipation in pregnant women is thought to occur due to hormones that relax the intestinal muscle and by the pressure of the expanding uterus on the intestines.
To avoid it as much as possible drink plenty of water and get lots of fiber. That will help some but you’ll have to live with it until you have your baby for the most part.
Your Feet May Get Bigger
The pregnancy hormone relaxin, which loosens the joints around your pelvis so your baby can make her way down into the birth canal, also loosens the ligaments in your feet, causing the foot bones to spread.
So your feet will be wider and this tends to be permanent. Just use it as an excuse to buy some new shoes.
Your Nose Will Get Bigger Too
This is one of the weirdest things that happen during pregnancy.
Nose swelling is due to increased estrogen levels, which helps blood flow to the mucous membranes and plumps up your nose as a result.
It does shrink back to normal after your baby is born though so at least there’s that.
It’s Hard To Breathe
When your baby is pressing up and all your organs are crowded breathing can become difficult.
It will feel like you just can’t take a deep breath and it’s exhausting. But like all other things in pregnancy, it will be over before you know it and you’ll be able to take that deep breath you’ve longed for all those months.
And You May Pee Yourself
When you laugh, when you cry, when you sneeze or cough. Or when you’re just breathing. These are all instances that you may wet yourself.
This is just one of the many woes of pregnancy but after your baby comes all the pressure will be gone and your muscles will strengthen back up. Usually.
You May Not Enjoy Being Pregnant
Pregnancy can be hard and not everyone enjoys it. I did for the most part but plenty of women can’t wait for it to end.
Don’t feel guilty if this is you. With all those changes comes a lot of discomforts so it’s no surprise that some women feel this way.
Just take it one day at a time and know that it will come to a glorious end and all that hard work will pay off and you’ll have your beautiful baby.
You’ll Be An Emotional Wreck After Delivery
Once your baby is born your body will move so fast that your mind cannot keep up. The changes that happen immediately are so profound it’s like being punched in the stomach.
Not to mention the emotional factors of having a baby, the relief that the birth is over and the overwhelming feelings of what will happen next.
You will be a wreck. It’s unavoidable but if you know to expect it that will help you keep some sense of calm and things will be just a tiny bit easier because of it.
So just be aware that there’s a storm coming. Take a few deep breaths and face it bravely.
Your Belly After Childbirth Will Be Horrifying
It sucks that our belly’s don’t just shrink back to their former glory.
But they certainly don’t and the crinkled saggy yet hard thing before you can be alarming. You have to accept that it will take time for things to get back to normal.
Most mamas know that this is the case but there is still some level of shock and worry when you’re weeks postpartum and you still look six months pregnant.
Give your body time to heal and then move into a fitness routine that is created just for postpartum mamas.
That is the safest and quickest path to recovery and weight loss. I highly recommend The Postpartum Cure if you want to get your body back as soon as possible. It’s the most popular program of it’s kind and it has helped thousands of mamas get that flat tummy back. You can see it here.
Pregnancy can be really fun but it also comes with a lot of weird surprises and I hope this list has helped you prepare for some of the unexpected!
Best of luck to you and your baby!
If you loved this post and found it helpful it would be awesome if you could share it or save it on Pinterest! You can use the special images below that I created for you! Thanks!
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With These Special Images!
Delayed Cord Clamping is a really good idea and the health benefits of this practice are so compelling.
When your babe is born, as much as 25-60% of the fetal blood supply remains inside the placenta. Waiting to clamp the umbilical cord, for just 30-60 seconds after birth, allows the placenta to pulse this extra blood to the baby. Crazy right?!
With this particular post, I will be covering exactly what delayed cord clamping is, the benefits and negatives of delayed cord clamping, a case study
around this topic and more.
****A note to you: I would love it if you would come in and join our Facebook Group for New Moms. You can get one on one support and ask me questions directly! You can join right here.
There are a lot of aspects to consider when investigating the merits of delayed cord clamping and I am here to help guide you (in-depth) so you can make the smartest decision for your little one.
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What Is Delayed Cord Clamping Exactly?
Delayed cord clamping is a medical practice of simply waiting a minute or two to clamp off your baby’s Umbilical cord.
It has been a common practice for a long time that the cord would be cut straight away. The main reason was that it would supposedly prevent heavy bleeding.
But It has been long since discovered that the delayed cord clamping does not prevent nor change the outcome of bleeding.
**Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? It’s not too late to get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
The benefits of delayed cord clamping are awesome. The baby benefits by having an increased number of red blood cells, stem cells, and immune cells. Delayed cord clamping provides essential life support, restores blood volume, and protects against organ damage, and brain injury.
It’s especially beneficial for premature babies as it helps to lower the risk of infection and blood transfusions. Within the scenarios of planning an emergency c-section and giving birth to twins, delayed cord clamping can also be applied.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
The Official Guidelines around Delayed Cord Clamping According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the World Health Organisation say it’s better to wait between 30 to 60 seconds after the birth before cutting the umbilical cord (if both you and your baby are healthy). Maybe a little longer if you want.
This approach is suggested for both term and preterm infants.
When Delayed Cord Clamping may not be appropriate
Delayed cord clamping may not always be right for the baby or mother, depending on the situation. Sometimes there are times where the mother’s and baby’s health may be at a higher risk.
The situations, where delayed cord clamping may not be appropriate are as follows;
There is a problem with the placenta, such as placenta praevia or placental abruption
(where the placenta detaches early from the uterus) before birth.
There are concerns about the baby’s heartbeat.
The umbilical cord is damaged or bleeding.
If the mother is bleeding heavily
***Do you want to save money when shopping online?! Sign up with the banner below to save big!!
Why Delayed Cord Clamping Is So Beneficial
There are stark contrasts between applying the cord clamping procedure immediately and
waiting a few minutes to do so. Here are the biggest benefits to the baby in more detail:
Increased blood volume to thirty percent.
For the first couple of days, an increase in red blood cell density (increased blood
volume by 30%).
Improvement of blood circulation.
The decreased likelihood of the need for a blood transfusion.
Lower incidence of the following issues; necrotizing enterocolitis and intraventricular
hemorrhage.
Increased and improved iron levels for around six months. It is found that this
particular influx of iron helps contribute to a reduction and prevention of iron
deficiency during the first year of the baby’s life.
The delay can ultimately allow for transfusion from the placenta to baby to take place.
This allows more time for immunoglobulins and stem cells, to be transferred
between the placenta and baby. These are absolutely essential for both the repair of tissue
and organs within the body. Immunoglobulins and stem cells, also help support the
healing of cells, inflammation, and organ dysfunction, which occur often in preterm
birth.
The Negatives of Delayed Cord Clamping
Overall, there aren’t many negatives to delayed cord clamping but there is at least one:
May increase jaundice, which would need light treatment (phototherapy). This is
caused by a build-up of Bilirubin.
Most experts agree that the benefits of delayed cord clamping far outweigh the risks.
Case Study
Delayed umbilical cord clamping has been evaluated in a small number of case studies, to
see what the major differences would be and whether there would be any effect, in terms of
development and growth.
In one focused case study, the ages studied were from 4 months to 4 years
Development within the brain pathways did not differ within the different timings of
umbilical cord clamping, but….
To further support and encourage the use of delayed cord clamping, it was found that
those that had the delayed cord clamping procedure applied, had moderately higher
scores in both social and fine motor skills. The group that was tested on were 4
years old.
Umbilical Cord Milking
Umbilical cord milking is an additional or alternative procedure to delayed cord clamping, that can be applied to newborn babies.
It’s a procedure, where the doctor holds down the umbilical cord between the thumb and forefinger, squeezes gently, and pushes the substance held within the umbilical cord, right down into the baby’s abdomen.
In this way, newborns can receive all of the additional blood flow and ultimately, all the important nutrients and hemoglobin from the mother to the baby.
• It is highly useful for situations, whereby the 30 – 60-second delay in cord
clamping may be too long (in certain risk situations). Umbilical cord
milking can be implemented very quickly (less than 15 seconds).
So as you can see, Delayed Cord Clamping is an excellent idea! It such a small thing yet it makes such a huge difference. I don’t know why they don’t always wait and I wish I had known about this when I was having my three babies.
Best of luck to you and your upcoming babe!
If you enjoyed this post or thought it was helpful, I would love it if you would share it with your friends.
You can share with the Pinterest images below or the buttons below or to the left. Thanks!
There’s also a button at the very bottom that will allow you to download this post as a pdf if you want to keep it. Just click on the purple button below.
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With The Special Images Below!
Having a baby is totally exhausting and it can sure take a while. A first-time mama will labor for 12-24 hours on average. Sometimes longer.
But there are things you can do before and during labor that will help make the process just a bit easier and shorter.
Below are some things you can do to speed your labor up so you don’t end up so exhausted that you can barely push.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Well here’s a great online option that is very popular. You can take it at your own pace and it only takes about 3 hours to complete. It will teach you everything you need to know!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
15 Ways To Speed Up Labor And Delivery To Avoid Being Exhausted
The first few on this list are things you can do before labor has started at home to help get things going. The rest of the list are things you can do during active labor to keep things moving at a good pace. Read On!
One More Thing- I would love it if you’d join our Facebook Group for mamas. Come in and ask me any question you want! or get support from fellow mamas like you. It would be awesome if you joined right here!
Exercise is Important (Get physical in different ways)
Dance
Consistent movement can be good for your body as a whole in terms of breathing, and loosening muscles.
Dancing specifically can get you moving and also help put the right amount of pressure on the baby’s head so that it will push against the cervix.
Dancing can also irritate your uterus, which can help to encourage contractions.
High impact dance movements and exercises can have a negative impact so definitely talk to your doctor on the intensity and duration of the activity.
Sex
Getting sexually intimate is not just for pleasure, it can also help get your labor going.
Having that all important orgasm can help to not only stimulate your uterine muscles but also release the hormone oxytocin, which can help onset birthing contractions. The semen released during sex can also contribute to the softening of the opening of the cervix. Sounds fun right?!
And Sex is always especially good during pregnancy so get indulge yourself and your partner.
Specific Stretches And Exercises Can Help Speed Things Up
Birthing Ball
Birthing Balls can be used to help encourage dilation and effacement during labor. They also help while at home as well. They work wonders!
Sitting down on a birthing ball can help put pressure on the baby’s head, right onto the cervix. Some specific movements and exercises that can help support this process include doing a figure 8 and hip circles.
Kegel Exercises
Kegel Exercises are specifically used to tighten the muscles within your pelvic floor. A steady repetition of tightening and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles can help get you ready for birth.
Despite not being scientifically proven, doing repetitive kegel exercises can help get your labor started in some instances. Just the stimulation they provide can move things along nicely.
One approach to doing this type of exercise is to stand against the wall with your feet on the ground then go ahead and tighten and relax your pelvic floor muscles. Do a repetition of 100 of these. This will be difficult but it so good for your pelvic floor and very stimulating.
Get A Massage
Treat yourself with a massage to help get your labor started.
Getting a massage is, of course, good in any circumstance. It helps relax your muscles, deep down, as well as enhance your all-around well-being.
There are certain places the massage therapist can work to help stimulate your body so that contractions can start. Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s worth a try. At least you’ll get a good rub down if nothing else.
Acupuncture
This might be one of the more squeamish options to try but utilizing acupuncture in a focused way can be very beneficial.
Acupuncture is used to apply pressure to certain points on the surface of the body using tiny needles, fingers or thumb.
This can be used to help the cervix soften and dilate allowing the start of contractions in some cases.
Believe it or not, Acupuncture can be particularly helpful for repositioning babies from breech to a natural vaginal birth position. I’m not sure how this would work exactly, You’d have to see your local Acupuncture expert if your babe was breech.
Certain Foods And Drinks Can Make A Difference
There are foods that can not only speed labor along but can also serve the purpose of alleviating things that may arise in pregnancy.
Tropical fruit
Some fruits contain special enzymes that can help start the onset of contractions, for example, pineapple, papaya, mango, and kiwi.
Pineapple is full of Bromelain, which can help soften and ripen the cervix,
and also aid in overall labor and delivery. Eating Pineapples in different forms can help with your digestion, and help alleviate constipation too.
Iron filled food
Eating dried fruit and other such iron-filled foods like spinach can help reduce anemia.
Anemia can be a negative side effect of heavy bleeding, which can occur during and after birth.
Drink Tea To Help Ease the Pain
Drinking tea can be conducive toward shorter, earlier labor, and Certain kinds help relax muscles (and in turn, the uterus).
Raspberry tea, in particular, can help with treating anemia, toning the uterus, and helping prepare for labor and delivery. It can also help with the pain of contractions that occur during pregnancy.
Additionally, Raspberry tea can also help with any irritability concerning the uterus and It can also reduce acute pain post-birth. It’s good stuff and every mama to be should be drinking it.
Take a bath
This will have more of an impact on your emotional and spiritual state, which will in effect, helps with your physical state too.
Warm water will help relax and loosen your muscles and that is certainly helpful during labor and birth too, so get the room with a tub if you can.
Remember to keep the temperature at midrange, as hotter temperatures will have a negative effect on your babe.
Consume Caster Oil
Traditionally castor oil was given to kick start labor. But only do this if you are at your due date or past due. It really does work so you don’t want to do it early. It causes uterine stimulation and that often starts contractions.
I did this with my third and it worked well. I had a baby less than 24 hours later. Many other women share the same story online.
Now Your labor has started! Let’s talk about what you can do to move it along quickly!
Your Environment Matters
A stressful environment will cause you to tighten up in every way. You really do need to be relaxed as much as possible.
The best thing to do is to labor as long as possible in the comfort of your home, then when you’re ready to come to the hospital bring things that will make you very comfortable.
Bring your own pillows and music. Have them dim the lights and speak quietly. Whatever you need, just make sure you put it in a birthing plan beforehand so they’ll be able to accommodate you. You can print a free birthing plan right here.
**Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? It’s not too late to get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Movement Is Important
Sitting or standing up and moving around is the best way to help your labor progress quickly. This helps gravity pull the baby down and it takes some pressure off your back and pelvis. That’s a good thing.
Just sitting in the bed puts a lot of pressure on your lower body and it doesn’t allow you to open up very well. You want to give your body as much space as possible to do its thing.
If your water still hasn’t broken the doctor can assist you in getting it done. This really helps speed things up.
The doc will insert fingers into the cervix and peel off the membranes from the inner surface of the cervix. It triggers the uterus to release prostaglandins that dilate the cervix and stimulate contractions
This procedure is really uncomfortable but afterward, you’ll have a babe before you know it.
Get Medication
Medication can be given in certain circumstances and scenarios. Pitocin is often given to help speed up dilation and labor in general if things are moving slow.
This is also what they give you if you’re having your labor induced.
It can be given as a:
→ A tablet or gel that is inserted into the vagina to start.
→ A hormone drip to move things further along.
I hope your labor moves quickly and you enjoy it. These things will definitely help speed things up.
Best of luck to you!!
If you enjoyed this post or thought it was helpful, I would love it if you would share it with your friends.
You can share with the Pinterest images below or the buttons below or to the left. Thanks!
There’s also a button at the very bottom that will allow you to download this post as a pdf if you want to keep it. Just click on the purple button below.
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With The Special Images Below!
Tearing during childbirth is very painful and ranges in different degrees of severity. Many women birth large babies without a tear at all and others tear birthing tiny babies. It just depends on your body.
There are things you can do to prevent tearing or more accurately – minimize the risk of tearing. That’s what we’ll discuss today because you should try to avoid tearing at all costs. I tore with all three of my babes and I have scarring and less sensitivity down there now. Not fun…..
But first, let’s discuss why tears happen.
During labor, the baby’s head descends into the vagina and moves down onto the perineum.
The perineal skin (the area between your vagina and anus) will thin and stretch over your baby’s head. As the baby’s head begins to crown, the labia and vaginal opening begin to bulge and stretch around the head.
If the skin and perineum have not stretched sufficiently then a tear can happen, unfortunately.
Now let’s talk about the different kinds of tears you can have.
There are four degrees of tearing and the third and fourth are less common and pretty gruesome.
****A Quick Note: We’d love it if you’d join our Facebook Group full of mamas. Come in and ask questions or get support. Or just share your excitement! You can join right here.
A first-degree tear is when the skin is only torn a bit. With a first-degree laceration, you may not even need stitches which would be awesome.
A second-degree tear is a little more serious. These lacerations involve both skin and muscle tearing and do require stitches. This is what happens to me each time.
A third-degree tear is in the vaginal skin, perineal skin, and the muscle that extends to the anal sphincter (muscle around your anus). Not cool.
And the last is by far the worst. A Fourth Degree Tear is the same as a third-degree one except it extends into the anal sphincter and the tissue around it.
Both can negatively affect the pelvic floor function and anal muscles. So not ok.
But as I said earlier there are things you can do to help. The list below are things you should do both prenatally and some great tips to do during birth to prevent or minimize tearing.
**If you want to download this information and keep it for reference you can click the purple button at the very bottom of the post and it will download as a PDF just for you!
By the way, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
How To Avoid Or Minimize Tearing During Childbirth
Pin It On Pinterest For Later
Take a Childbirth Education Class
This one is huge because being calm during birth, finding good positions, possibly choosing to forgo the epidural (no judgment and we support all) is going to lessen the chance of tearing or lessen the amount of tearing.
Good nutrition will give your skin the elasticity to stretch far beyond its normal ability. I’m sure by this far in your pregnancy you know what is considered good and bad but just for the record, I’ll say eat plenty of fruits and veggies along with healthy fats like olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oils.
**Want Freebies For You And Your Baby? It’s not too late to get $330 Worth Of Gear! I have partnered with many companies to give you the best baby freebies online including Nursing Pillow, Pregnancy Pillows, Nursing Covers, Baby Leggings, Baby Clothes and so much more. You can find out how to get your freebies in this post right here.
Avoid the episiotomy
An Episiotomy is when they go ahead and cut the area to make more room for baby. Not sure why so many still do this but it’s still pretty common.
Routine episiotomy increases the risk of severe tears, and long term perineal, vaginal, pelvic floor, and anal sphincter damage, and an episiotomy rarely has benefits over a natural tear.
So why do it? In most situations, if any tearing is going to occur, natural tearing has less risk and often heals better. If your doctor starts talking about having one tell them NO THANKS.
Maternal Positioning
Your birthing position can also play a big part in reducing tearing. Research shows that if you’re in a standing, squatting, kneeling or side-lying position, you’re more likely to conclude childbirth without a tear.
If you really want to avoid tearing you may want to skip the Epidural. When you get one you’ll be stuck in one position laying down. This really increases the risk of tearing.
There are other options for labor pain besides Epidural that will allow for more movement. You can learn more about that right here.
***Have You taken a prenatal birth course yet? Don’t have time? Here’s the best Premium online birthing course and the first part of it’s totally free! You will learn absolutely everything you need to know and it will help tremendously so make sure you sign up. A Class is a must and I think the online ones are the best. Here’s a free Birth Planner Too!
Water Birthing
Getting in a warm tub is said to help your skin stretch. The warm water helps increase skin elasticity considerably. Midwives and doulas agree that this is a great way to avoid a tear so opt for that room with the tub in case you decide you want to hop in.
Perineal Massage
Perineal Massage doesn’t sound like much fun but it’s extremely helpful. You’ll be glad you took the time to do it when you come out of birth with your perineum intact.
Here’s a great video that will teach you all about tears and massage.
Use A Birthing Ball
Getting on a birthing ball during labor and beforehand will help condition your skin and perineum to open up and stretch. It’s a great exercise and it helps condition your body for giving birth.
Warm compresses during the later stages of labor are so helpful for many reasons. First and foremost they warm up the tissue and allow it to stretch really well.
Second, they supply comfort and help with the pain. You can use warm, wet washcloths. Most rooms have a microwave but if not use hot water from the sink.
You can have your partner hold them on there when you get near the pushing stages. This is standard practice for most midwives so if you have one ask them about it.
Good Ole Fashion Kegels
Kegels will help strengthen your pelvic floor and your vagina too. They will bring lots of blood flow and prepare your vagina for relaxing as your baby enters the birth canal.
Kegels will help the muscles recover after childbirth so that you don’t have accidents for those first few months as well so they’re well worth the little bit of effort.
So there you have it, these are the traditional ways to help your body birth easier and prevent or minimize tearing. I hope this helps and gives you some things to consider.
I wish you tons of luck on your birthing journey and enjoy this special time!
If you enjoyed this post or thought it was helpful, I would love it if you would share it with your friends.
You can share with the Pinterest images below or the buttons below or to the left. Thanks!
There’s also a button at the very bottom that will allow you to download this post as a pdf if you want to keep it. Just click on the purple button below.
Pin It On Pinterest For Later With The Special Images Below!
Hey, I’m Toni and I’m the mama of 3 Little Birds. I love Writing about all Things Mama. Learn more about me here. Grab a Tea or Coffee and come see what you find.
