• Rewards Room
    • You are here
    Home / Mum & Baby / Pregnancy / Top expert tips for a stress-free childbirth

    Top expert tips for a stress-free childbirth

    Updated:21 Nov 2014 8:41 AM | Posted by
    bh's Cherie Herrmann's picture
    bh's Cherie Herrmann
    Comment

    Although childbirth is wonderfully natural, it can also be a little daunting. I mean, it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time or your tenth time, each labour experience is completely different, and some situations simply cannot be planned for.

    To help avoid stressful situations and unexpected anxiety or nerves during your own birthing experience or that of someone you know and love, we’ve asked midwife Kate Young for her best tips for staying cool, calm and collected in the later months of pregnancy…

    Tips to help you stress less in the lead up to birth…

    #1. Now is a good time to think about who you would like to have present at the actual birth. It’s wise to choose those who are supportive, caring, calming and trust-worthy.

    #2. Try not to let horror stories you’ve heard about birth bother you. When you’re trying to prepare yourself for your own experience, thinking of other traumatising births will not help you.

    #3. Relax. Now is not the time to overload yourself with work or chores. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask for assistance from your partner, friends or colleagues. If you’re feeling concerned about more than just general day-to-day stress, speak to your midwife or doctor.

    Tips to help you stress less during labour…

    #1. Labour takes time, and it is important to remember that it is different for all women. Expecting it to happen quickly can also make the event more stressful. The average length of labour for a first-time mother is around 12 hours, which essentially is one whole day at work including travel time.

    #2. Change positions constantly. If you can walk, move around. It will relieve pain and stress and help to keep you focused. If one particular position doesn't work, move. The midwife and your support people are there to help you do so.

    #3. If you are tired, rest and sleep between contractions. The time between the contractions is around two to three minutes, so it may not feel like a lot of time but you should make the most of it if you need to.

    #4. If you have made a birth plan or have any particular requests, discuss them with your support people before and during labour. This way if you forget personally, your supporters are there to guide you through.
     
    #5. Ask your midwife to discuss your progress during labour and to explain anything that is unfamiliar to you. This includes anything from monitoring equipment, medications you may need or the pain relief options available to you. It will help you to become more comfortable and relaxed in your birthing environment when you know what is around you and the choices you can make.

    Have you given birth? If so, did you feel stressed, anxious or nervous in the lead up to your delivery? Do you or any of your friends and family have tips for staying calm and confident during the final stages of pregnancy and throughout the birth?

    44 Member Comments

    Peggy Rothchild 15 May 2019 7:35 PM

    I have used spell casting to get my ex husband back to me and also get pregnant with twins girls through the help of a great and trusted spell caster after 12 years of marriage.

    When I came online last year, I met a testimony about Priest ODUNGA who has been helping people and I decided to contact him. We spoke on email at (odungaspelltemple@gmail.com) and later he gave me his Whats App number which is +2348167159012 and he assured me he would help me get my ex husband back after 3 years of no contact. My husband left me because I was unable to give him a child for 9 years after our marriage. There was no contact between us anymore and I didn't know how to get to him. Priest Odunga is the best spell caster I must say. My husband called me after 24 hours of contacting Priest Odunga. Soon I received a herbal medicine for fertility from this man, I became fertile. I and my husband reconnected that very week, had sex and I became pregnant. Today, I am happy today to be the mother of twins girls and this is ALL THANKS TO PRIEST ODUNGA. I came online to say this If you need help, I believe you are saved with this spell caster. Contact his email at (odungaspelltemple@gmail.com) and you too will give a testimony too to help others

    jlsta 4 May 2017 7:23 PM

    so useful, thanks BH!

    Dreamy 21 Nov 2014 8:41 AM

    Next mid of year is bub arrival time. Feeling anxious n nervous at the same time.

    stackcats 14 Jan 2014 1:08 AM

    And ladies, don't worry about getting a 'birth plan'. I face-palm whenever I read on baby websites about bringing scented candles, massage oil and relaxation music in hospital bags. Jesus, honestly when you have proper contractions, they are the least of your worry. And with birth plans, births are unpredictable and you just have to do whatever you need to keep yourself and the baby safe.

    You know what they say: if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. If you want to make a midwife laugh, tell her your birth plans. True that.

    stackcats 14 Jan 2014 1:02 AM

    As a first-time mom (currently with a 2-month-old), I can tell you the 'rest/sleep between contractions' thing is total rubbish. I have a decent pain threshold, but the pain of contractions was soul-crushing. But then again my labour was especially long and difficult because my baby turned out to be bigger than anticipated. He was a 8-pounder while I'm not even 5 ft tall!

    RockieHazel 10 Jun 2013 6:04 AM

    I haven't been pregnant before but even thinking about childbirth kind of freaks me out

    Candyfairy 10 Jun 2013 5:55 AM

    Once I'd had that good old epi I was fine! The contractions are hell but once the numbing kicks in its just about pushing and waiting. It wasn't as hard as I'd thought it was going to be!

    Beauty Obsession 9 Jun 2013 5:11 AM

    Great tips although don't beat yourself up if you follow everything to a t and then it all goes out the window and you want every drug under the sun. I found exercising made me feel good through my second pregnancy and I did so alright right until I gave birth. My PT devised a plan which was gentle enough for me to do. I have to admit was really anxious both times, first time not knowing what to expect and second time knowing what to expect! We get through it and all the pain we may endure is worth the little bundle of joy at the end!

    Jessica712 9 Jun 2013 1:02 AM

    I have a friend who is due to give due soon, and I worried about the pain for her. Cant imagine what I will be like when it happens.

    Kassalee 8 Jun 2013 12:16 PM

    Given birth to 3 children - Certainly unknown territory for the first (all plans and classes went out the window!) and similarly the second. Number 3 was "can we get this over with please!" - totally different birth and had it been the first, I'd have been freaking out - but so much calmer with the third time round - had total confidence in the hospital staff and doctor - they've done more births than me and best to go with their judgement. Everyone has a different birth story and the hope is that it all goes well with a healthy mum and baby.

    Shop A Everyday 7 Jun 2013 2:40 AM

    grip your partners hand

    glossqueen 6 Jun 2013 1:14 PM

    I wasn't nervous before giving birth to my first child, I just figured that I trusted my Dr and that he would do the best that he could for me. It all went well.

    I'm about to have my second child and I'm a little nervous because I have a different Dr and a different hospital so I'm not familiar with their procedures etc and I don't know anyone that's given birth there. I just have to trust that it will all be okay.

    Trudz 6 Jun 2013 11:03 AM

    Still a little while off for me yet, but still an interesting read.

    Thepinkshoe 5 Jun 2013 2:08 PM

    I've never been pregnant but the thought of childbirth does worry me a bit if I think about it! Though I do need to remind myself that so many people have been through it so it can't be that disastrous!

    Ssajwani 5 Jun 2013 1:07 PM

    Not yet! but these are great tips!

    _Anita_ 5 Jun 2013 10:22 AM

    Great tips for those that are expecting

    manveen 5 Jun 2013 8:23 AM

    i have never been pregnant but i can't wait!

    Wittyusername 4 Jun 2013 7:52 PM

    Currently 22 weeks pregnant, so this is very relevant to me. Ta x

    Sunshine1983 4 Jun 2013 10:47 AM

    Some great tips and the lovely ladies on this forum are helping that little bit more

    Jenniqua 4 Jun 2013 4:56 AM

    These are wonderful tips for pregnant ladies, I could only wish. aaaahhhhh sigh

    sassylily 4 Jun 2013 3:53 AM

    I was totally stress free during labour, I had an epidural, highly recomended if you have a low pain threshold.

    Bkz1 4 Jun 2013 2:48 AM

    Good tips. I'm no where near the baby stage in my life though :)

    alycia_ana 4 Jun 2013 1:48 AM

    Really great tips! I hope that I will be able to remain calm and focused during labour

    MissChriss 3 Jun 2013 11:21 AM

    I was paranoid leading up to my first child's birth, but it was wasted stress because it was a breeze. Everything went perfectly and it made the while experience just so calming and easy.

    bebeautiful34 3 Jun 2013 9:06 AM

    i'm going to a birth and baby class next month, so hopefully that will give me all the information i need for my first birth!

    Pages

    You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.
    TOP