They say that hindsight is 20/20, that’s especially true for monumental moments in life such as giving birth for the first time. After an emergency C-section with my first little guy, I was beyond thrilled to have a natural VBAC for my second birth. However, that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t do a few things differently. With just a few weeks until we have baby #3 I’ve been thinking about what I want to try to do differently for this next (hopefully) natural birth. So here are my tips of 5 Things Not To Do during natural birth, plus a few things not to forget to pack in your hospital bag.
Natural Birth Tip #1
Don’t Exhaust Yourself: Chill Out With The Lunges Mama
Let’s start from the beginning of my first natural birth, my situation was somewhat complicated…our little one was considered IUGR which basically means for unknown reasons he wasn’t growing on schedule. So if natural labor didn’t occur on its own, we would be induced by 39 weeks. I tried everything in the book to get him to come on his own, but it just wasn’t happening. P.S. I still can’t stomach dates (yuck)!
So we were induced. Nothing dramatic, thankfully my practice was awesome in trying to help my body in the most natural ways possible to have a non-medicated VBAC. We tried oils, massage, and I did more lunges and squats than I can count. That’s where I would say “Slow Down Mama“. You have the mother of all marathons coming up, take a breather and rest. Rest your body, rest your mind, and trust that God’s timing is perfect. I wish I would have. By the end when It was time to push, I was beyond exhausted. Pitocin had sucked the strength right out of me and I was wishing I had conserved my energy earlier instead of doing a mini body pump session.
Natural Birth Tip #2
Don’t Forget To Eat & Drink During Labor
This would have helped tremendously with my energy level when it was finally time to push. Now I know some hospitals have rules…..all I’m saying is to find a way to get nutrition-life giving energy, into your body. Can you imagine trying to run a marathon without eating and drinking enough?! This may mean designating someone in the room or even setting a timer to remind you to eat and drink. I dealt with my contractions by counting, breathing, eyes closed, and really just zoning out. I wasn’t thinking about eating or drinking- and it caught up with me. Even if it’s just honey sticks, smoothies, coconut water, etc… prepare and plan. Sidenote: Be sure to keep drinking lots of water after birth as well. I had a few too many carbs following Lochlan’s birth (hello hospital cookies and happy feelings:) and not enough water which caused that first post-birth potty to be quite painful. Drink mama drink!
Natural Birth Tip #3
Don’t Push It Push It- Too Fast
I know, if you’ve given birth and you’ve felt that sensation you may have just rolled your eyes. I feel ya, the last thing you want to do at the end of labor is prolong it by a second. I was there, and I was done. I felt like if I didn’t get this baby out immediately, I was going to pass out. I pushed a couple of times, may have even roared, and baby was out, and I tore (cue the shots, stitches, and recovery pain) This is where you have to let your mind rule over your body. Breathe, count, and most of all, listen to your midwife, Dr., etc.. They can see what you cant (thank God). If they say slow down, muster up everything you have to listen. You are almost there and could save yourself from some recovery pain for the next few weeks.
Natural Birth Tip #4
Don’t Wait Until Labor To Give Directions
I’m naturally a question asking fool. No really, every restaurant/drive-thru, every appointment, every tiny decision I make, I want to know all the facts, all the possible scenarios. Knowledge is power, and I love control-probably too much. With that said, even I didn’t communicate enough with my Doctors/Midwives ahead of time. Don’t wait until your in labor to do this. Each labor is different and you never know how that may affect your mind or behavior. This needs to be done ahead of time- whether in person (ideal for those who know who go to a small practice and know who will be delivering) or on paper and have a designated speaker (doula, mom, husband, friend) ready to go over your wants and answer questions during labor to hospital staff. I just assumed that I would be more vocal during birth addressing what I needed or wanted-wrong. Instead, I was super quiet, focused, and introverted.
Think about what you like in terms of pain management, what you don’t and write it down so everyone knows best how to help you. If you want your Dr. to take extra measures to try to prevent tearing- write it down (insert me for next birth). And if you think you need someone else to remind you, write that down too.
Natural Birth Tip #5
Don’t forget The Small Stuff
This may seem trivial, but one thing I forgot and it drove me crazy during labor was a simple hair tie. Make a list ahead of time and try to think outside the box.
Here are a few other “small things” that I found really helpful during my hospital stay.
Dry Shampoo
Makeup Remover Wipes
Handheld Mirror (freshen up without getting out of bed)
Flip-Flops you can get wet (hospital bathrooms)
Ear Plugs and Eye Mask (for naps you hope to get whether day or night)
Slippers with non-slip bottoms
Chargers for all of your electronics (camera, phone, laptop etc..)
So there’s my “What Not To Do” for your natural birth and “What Not To Forget” to pack list. As I’m inching closer to my own due date with baby #3 (35 weeks!), I’m trying to remember that each birth is beautifully unpredictable. No matter how many lists I’ve made. So yes, plan, be prepared, but also accept that at the end of it all, holding that precious newborn baby is all that matters. Soak it in Mama. Wishing you all a wonderful birth. For a look at my first two births, find them here: Landon’s C-Section Birth Story & Lochlan’s VBAC Birth
