September 28, 2012
At 37 weeks, I’m considered full term. This means that even though I’m not due until October, my baby could come any day now and be considered “on time.” In my opinion (as a first time momma), this is equally exciting and terrifying. However, in the last week, I have scrambled to prepare myself for what’s to come and surprisingly found peace with the whole process. Here are a few things I wish I’d known from the very beginning that probably would have brought that peace on much sooner!
Don’t wing it. This is one of my biggest regrets and quite possibly the reason I felt the need to blog. When I found out I was pregnant, I instantly felt the urge to buy tiny little items, but failed to buy any books, sign up for classes or do much of anything to prepare myself mentally for labor and delivery. I looked at it in a very primal way - women didn’t have the internet, classes and books to prepare them before, so why should I have them? While I’m still pretty sure my body will go into an animalistic mode and take over during labor, I’ll be spending the next 3 weeks researching ways to manage the pain that I should have been practicing since day 1. Research your options. I have wanted a natural birth since I found out I was pregnant, but was open to an epidural at first (which means I would have given in for certain). It isn’t until recently that I began researching birth options and realized that a hospital delivery was not the only way to go, or even the method that was best suited for me and my family. The idea of a midwife, doula, birth center and birthing tub were quite foreign to me. From what I had always heard about child birth, people made it seem like it should be treated as a serious illness, not a natural, beautiful experience. After educating myself (this still continues daily), I feel much more at peace with my decisions and only regret that I didn’t start my research (and switch to a birth center) sooner.
Talk to other moms. This has been huge for me most recently and goes along with doing your research. Hearing an array of experiences and getting full support from other moms does wonders for your confidence in the decisions you make during pregnancy. You can find private, local mommy groups on facebook and ask ANYTHING - literally from which OB/midwife/pediatrician/baby carrier they like best to advice on disagreements with your significant other regarding raising your children.
It’s up to you to ask questions. In my opinion, I feel that a health care provider should do everything they can to prepare you for what’s to come during pregnancy and child birth. However, I have learned that isn’t really the case. At 36 weeks, I realized that my previous OB hadn’t told me what to do or who to call when I go into labor. Then after my questions regarding a birth plan were brushed under the rug and left unanswered, I figured out that she really wasn’t open to putting my concerns to rest at all. Needless to say, I left the appointment crying. However, if I would have drilled her with questions from the very beginning, my realizations would have come early enough to do something about it sooner.
It’s your body and YOU choose what’s done to it. There are so many procedures, medications and vaccinations that a health care provider may tell you to do that are completely unnecessary. The worst part of all is that we rely on those same people to guide us through our medical decisions, yet they often don’t volunteer alternative options or possible side effects. Know that you have the right to refuse “care” when you don’t feel it is needed, but of course, always do your research to back up your choices and ensure you’re doing what’s best for you and your baby.
It’s okay to be scared, but not to lack confidence. Child birth has been made out to be terrifying which leads the majority of the population to treat a pregnant woman like a leper. It’s okay to be afraid of the unknown, but as a woman, you were made for this. Your body has been preparing you for labor since you were born and having confidence in yourself is crucial to the process.
You can switch health care providers at any time. Once you find the confidence in yourself, ensure that you have confidence in your health care provider. Not just in the fact that he or she is able to deliver your baby, but in the idea that they will do everything in their power to obey your wishes and give you the birth that you want. If you feel this is not something they are willing to do, switching providers is much easier than you think- even at 37 weeks like I did!
Exercise is crucial. The first trimester makes it difficult to keep food down for many of us, let alone work up the desire to exercise and let’s not get started on the sleepiness that the third brings. However, starting a routine to prepare you for child birth at 36 weeks is probably one of the most difficult and discouraging things you can possibly do. Even if all you can manage is a nightly walk and a few sets of deep squats throughout the day, you’ll thank yourself during the labor marathon.
While the list of “what I wish I’d done” could go on and on, these 8 seem to be the ones that haunt me the most in my last few weeks of pregnancy.
What are some of the things you wish you had done? How did you prepare yourself for pregnancy? I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments below!