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THERE ARE A multitude of ways to get ready for a baby’s arrival. In fact, some would say too many.
In the run up, there are the practical things often suggested – such as washing a million teeny onesies in your preferred brand of non-bio. Then deliberating which ones to bring to the hospital, while questioning how you’re going to also fit king-size mattress maternity pads in the bag. There’s deciding where the baby will sleep… preparing and freezing countless meals… the options are almost limitless.
Prior to these latter stages, there are of course things you can do to prepare your body for labour and birth, such as pregnancy pilates, eating well, spending 95% of your time perched on a fitball, and engaging in *that* massage south of the border.
Surely all these things (plus the innumerable unmentioned additionals) psychologically prepare you for the task at hand?
Well, if you want the truth of it, nothing I can say here can mentally prepare you for giving birth – because every one is different. Also, in the absence of time machines, there is no way of foretelling what kind of birth you’ll have.
With that in mind, you can either throw your hands skyward, exclaiming “whatever will be will be”, or you can throw an eyeball across how these mums prepped their brain for birth.
Going to a birthing workshop: I signed up for an “active birthing” workshop hosted by my prenatal pilates teacher. As it was my first baby, I found it helpful enough. For example, it was the first place I’d heard about perineal massage! She also gave us good breathing techniques, positive affirmations, and told us the best positions to get into for different scenarios – like if your baby is in the back to back position.
Of course, when it came to the crunch, most of it went out the window, but at least I felt more confident in the few weeks before the birth.
- Simone
Listening to hypnobirthing tracks: Hypnobirthing tracks worked wonders. They always helped me get to sleep in the run up to D-Day, and they did help with labour – to a point. It all depends on what kind of labour you’re having. I had an epidural in the end, but I firmly believe I would’ve been requesting one sooner had I not been immersed in the tracks during pre-labour.
- Sinead
Accepting that every birth is different: I didn’t do anything specific to be honest. I’ve read articles saying you should have four different birthing plans for all eventualities, but who has time for that? I’m a mum of five and every birth has been different, so I don’t see the point in trying to plan for these things. The universe has it in hand!
- Stef
Trying homeopathic remedies: There are homeopathic childbirth kits, which include a range of remedies for before, during and after labour. I found the arnica great for bruising, and the chamomilla and aconitum helped with the anxiety a good deal. Psychologically, it worked for me – whatever gets you through!
- Claire
Hiring a TENS machine: I’m convinced it got me through the early stages of labour. Looking back, I’d been marginally in denial about the birth, especially after a friend of a friend regaled me with her horror story when I was about six months gone.
It was probably psychosomatic, but I felt infinitely calmer after ordering it and even better when it was delivered! It was a good distraction during early labour and gave me a sense of control.
- Babs
Visualising the baby: Honestly, there is zero point worrying as nothing can actually prepare you mentally and emotionally for childbirth. The only thing you can do is keep an open mind as you never know how it’ll go!
Surround yourself in positivity and positive stories, that’s always a good starting point. Keep visualising yourself holding your baby and remember that each contraction brings you closer to that point.
- Sarah
Going with the flow: Believe you can do it! But, more importantly, let yourself go with the flow and DO NOT give yourself a hard time over anything that wasn’t ‘planned’. Every birth is different, especially your first. The second time around, because I was more prepared mentally and physically having been through it before, I was done and dusted in four hours.
- Charlotte
Practising prenatal yoga: Prenatal yoga made me feel more at peace and connected with the babies. I was pregnant with twins and therefore knew I probably wouldn’t have more kids after that, so I had every detail of my ‘birth plan’ chartered. Then one of the babies got into trouble and I had to go under general anesthetic for an emergency section.
Waking up, I was heartbroken. Being emotionally invested in the “perfect” birth is entirely understandable, but – in time – I realised that the most important thing is that you and your baby get home safe and healthy. If you remind yourself that that’s the goal, then most of the bits in between will get easier.
- Emer
So, what have we learned? Firstly, life loves throwing you curveballs, so don’t give yourself a hard time if things don’t go to plan. Secondly, go with the flow and trust that your body knows what to do. Thirdly, remember the end goal – holding your baby.
That’s when the real fun starts!
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We do have a decent health care system. Health care is available to those without insurance. Living in the U.S I see that now. Health and education were the two things that I would have complained about myself in the past. It’s crazy that a visit to a GP here can cost up to 200 dollars! Yes our health care system is a bit messed up but at least it’s available to everyone.
I pity anyone with a serious illness in this country with the state of the health system. The government need to get their act together and start treating people with the dignity and respect they deserve and not with the disgraceful entity they call our health service.
Without the shadow of a doubt the stress that people are going through will throw up a lot of problems in the future for them ,it’s causing people to do away with themselves as is well known
Probably caused by stress and who do we blame for that?
Who really knows what’s the cause but I’d say a good healthy diet couldn’t hurt.
Smoking, lack of exercise, high fat diets, alcohol intake, lack of fruit and veg.
If all this things were addressed the rates of chronic disease would plummet.
And sugar consumption needs to be reduced in a big way especially amongst the female population. The oul ones love cakes and biscuits but good luck trying to change their ways
Soooooooo….we’re saying that rates of smoking and drinking and poor diet have increased in Ireland? Not likely…more likely caused thru increased stresses due to the economics issues of the past decade+…
Water flouridation?
for the thumb downers, report commissioned and then buried by ff and the greens when the were busy ruining the country, if you haven’t got time just read the conclusions and recommendations http://www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/167323404?secret_password=syvmvagq062jpi6lc6f&width=982
Interesting that you highlight a report which concludes that the only group potentially at risk are infants being bottle fed, and the article specifically refers to the over 50s.
Can you please offer ONE peer reviewed study which shows that fluoride as prescribed in the concentrations in Irish water (0.6-0.8 ppm) is unsafe?
If you want to talk to an expert on the subject I refer you to Aisling FitzGibbon.She will answer all your questions, should you have any https://m.facebook.com/TheGirlAgainstFluoride?id=401743916552576&_rdr
And are newborn babies being bottle fed not some of the most vulnerable? Their bodies and brains are still growing yet they are being contaminated by fluoride.
These are the ones we should be protecting the most
Having gone through severe stress myself in my twenties for a variety of reasons as a result in my 30s and high blood pressure and anxiety. I know so many others going through similar stress and it doesnt look good for the future as a nation
That’s the thing with stress it can manifest itself in many ways. I get stomach ulcers. At least with those I don’t have to take medication daily.
More than half of Irish people over 50 with two or more chronic diseases…this is a scary statistic. Whilst I’m not familiar enough to comment on our health system, I think it’s time we started looking at prevention rather than cure. That is what we put into our bodies, our food. Although we obviously make our own choices and many times we make very poor choices, we are not being helped by government and media.
Unfortunately there is big money for our government and food companies in making us choose unhealthy products and there is little appetite to inform us about the clear dangers. Eating a diet full of processed foods that are full of sugar and have additives such as high fructose corn syrup and aspartame are a recipe for disaster. These foods lack any real nutrients, are damaging to our bodies. We should be eating more natural foods that help maintain optimum health. It should be no surprise that after years of eating sub standard food, that people will begin to suffer a variety of health problems.
Another statistic from the summer stated that 31.8 per cent of our 7-8 year old are overweight or obese. Regardless of what shape the health care system is in, it is clear that we are breeding a nation of overweight, unhealthy, people who will unfortunately face numerous problems down the line.
Don’t want to have to visit the doctor as often ? Well stop eating rubbish and feeding your children rubbish and eat natural real food.
Chronic austerity and political flatulance.
An excellent case for the introduction of free GP care across the board, or at least for the under 40′s. Illness later in life costs the state a lot more and could easily be reduced by some basic socialising of the entry level health system to catch disease early on.
I’ve never understood the groups against water fluoridation. Everything the groups have to say that I’ve read have no scientific backing unless I’ve missed them in which case please show me so I can read. In the long run I think there are added benefits to it. But if you have a peer reviewed article or anything else you may find on pubmed about the topic I’d love to read it.
My friends house in North Dublin. The water from the tap is disgusting. Like drinking a cup of bleach. Gives you cramps. Fingal County Council.
I think there are benefits too. The FDA called it “…the greatest public health initiative of the 20th century.” But I would still like to see some kind of scientific study into the long term effects of fluoridation.
What good is the extended life span we are always being told sets is apart from our ancestors if we spend that extended time sick?
Longer life expectancy is usually pushed as our biggest achievement, the morbidity rate (ie – rate of chronic diseases) has raised just as much, but it’s not talked about enough.
Wonder what they will suggest, more low fat, high sugar and chemical laden diets? More drugs?
At age 64 I discovered a way to completely reverse my Diabetes Type 2.
Wrote a short eBooklet on how I discovered it.
Available free on Kindle Prime – “The Walnut Cure for Diabetes Type 2″
Hope it works for you or friend or family member.
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