This past Monday, whilst sipping on my coffee and listening to the Sesame Street cast sing the number of the day (which was 8 if you were wondering), I realized I have a little over 3 months before this new little man is expected to make an appearance. Cue immediate and excessive internal panicking. Two trimesters have slipped into the recesses of time and I am on a fast track towards pushing a kid out sans drugs, in my guest room. (WHAT. WAS. I. THINKING. Just kidding…I’m not nervous at all.)
This may be due to the fact that I spend 95% of my time diverting the abundance of energy that resides in my 14 month old son. He is a full time job. Adorable and sweet as can be but, I for real need my own disaster relief team to clean my house at the end of the day. I honestly forget I’m harboring another person until I’m reminded with a roundhouse kick to my ribs or a good old-fashioned bladder body slam.
For some, 3 months may feel like an abundance of time to prepare for labor. For myself, it feels like exactly two weeks and I am clearly SO UNPREPARED. Therefore, I have now begun expedited labor preparations and am nesting like a boss.
What am I doing to prepare for my home birth exactly? Well, you just read on and see my friends!
There are some things unfortunately, that just have to wait. There is no need to stock up on snacks for the midwives and myself 3 months in advance. (Because lets be honest, I will eat them.) Also, filling up the birthing pool might be a little premature at this point. I can however, prepare my body and mind.
Preparing My Body for Labor
- Red Raspberry Leaf Tea – Drinking a cup of red raspberry leaf tea every day or taking a dose in pill form helps to strengthen the uterus, balance hormones and can shorten labor. (All the praise hands for shorter labor.) I am assuming this works because with baby #1, I was already contracting fairly consistently before being induced and they didn’t hurt in the slightest. I honestly thought they were Braxton Hicks. Nope, I was in pre labor. Go figure.
- Eat All the Protein – Not only is protein essential in the healthy growth of a baby (building blocks of life peeps), it will also aid in the production of oxytocin. Oxytocin causes contractions, stimulates lactation, and is the “love” hormone that helps create a bond with baby! In addition, growing a person is hard and steak is delicious. It’s a win win.
- Stretch and Squat – I’m not going to lie. There is something about the word squat that makes me giggle. You can call me juvenile. I don’t care. In all seriousness, stretching the hips and pelvis is crucial in attempting to evacuate a whole person. Squats strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and this is something you want, trust me. Those pelvic muscles are going to get the work out of a lifetime during labor and if they are well toned, they will recover more quickly postpartum. No one likes to pee when they laugh or sneeze. Drop it like it’s hot honey.
Preparing My Mind For Labor
- Knowledge is Power – Normally, I am anti- googling anything while pregnant. The internet is a scary place for a mama to be. However, there are some remarkable resources for those mamas who are planning an un-medicated home birth. Look for articles, blogs and information on the process of labor. Knowing how the body is intended to work and how to assist it in doing what comes naturally is phenomenally freeing. Honestly, there is more fear in the unknown! I find comfort in having some idea what to expect. (Please, for the love of all that is maternal, DO NOT read mommy advice forums/threads. No one returns unscathed.)
- Feel Good and Fuzzy – Currently, one of my favorite pass times is watching home birth or natural childbirth videos. This may seem like a silly thing to do, but seeing those precious moments when a mother finally holds her sweet newborn is SO inspiring. No matter how cringe worthy the labor is, the tears and fuzzy feelings come like a flood with that first baby cry. It is glorious.
- Release Expectations- Nothing can derail a birth experience faster than a birth plan. Oh, the irony. This is something that should be adamantly expressed to expecting mamas. Being able to accept when your body or baby decides to set your birth plan on fire will prevent a lot of grief. (This is the preface to all motherhood. Nothing goes as planned. Kids are dictators.) I am certain that my stubborn expectations are in large part responsible for my struggle with postpartum anxiety. I had built up tension and stress around my plan for post birth. This time I am adopting an, “it is what it is,” mentality. Aside from an hour of Pitocin induced contractions; I have no clue what labor feels like. I could easily dwell on all the unknowns. I didn’t know what it was like to grow another person and it turned out to be one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I imagine this birth will have a similar outcome. Each birth is different. Each mama has different expectations. What is important is not the process but the end result. All that happens until the moment I hold my second son is just a part of our journey.
As we get closer to the arrival of tiny dictator numero dos, I will begin hoarding a labor and postpartum stash of must haves. Trust me when I say, this list has already reached excessive lengths and I will have to pare it down before I share it with you all. But share I will. Stay tuned for a, “What is in My Home Birth Survival Kit?” post.
Much love friends!
