A MONTH OF NESTING // preparing for birth

Sometimes I have to stop and almost marvel at my life.

Because it seems like just yesterday that I was a young girl with dreams of a good life with a good man and having my own home and having my own babies…and somehow I’ve arrived at that exact season of life with a good man, my own home, and soon, my own babies. Yesterday I was just a girl full of dreams…and today I am a woman full of dreams, only some of those dreams are now a reality. It’s actually so magical when I stop and think about it. Never mind that I’m getting older and much closer to thirty than I’ve ever been…I’m living the life that I’ve always wanted and sometimes the only words that are able to make their way from my heart are “thank you, God.“

So the next big event in my life is having our baby.

Obviously, my body has been preparing for this event all along, but in the past few months, I’ve felt my mind beginning to tune more into the actual birthing process rather than just being caught up in the present moment of pregnancy.

Here are some of the ways I’ve been preparing for our birth:

Prayer is the first and most important thing I’ve been doing for birth. The more I think and learn about pregnancy and birth and babies, the more I realize just how amazing and truly miraculous the whole process is. Yeah, there are aches and pains and uncomfortable aspects of pregnancy, and obviously even more so with birthing…but the very nature of God is of one that delights in new birth and new life…whether that’s spiritually or physically. I believe that the best way for me to prepare myself for the task of birthing a child is to be engaged with God and to learn of His perspective in this miraculous event taking place in my body. I pray daily for peace and quiet over my heart and body and home while I’m bringing this baby into the world, and that more than anything else, we would feel His very presence walking us through every moment.

Positive knowledge is another big aspect of my preparations. It’s amazing how negative our culture has painted the picture of birth…and one of the biggest things I’ve worked on in my own heart and mind is getting ride of that negative perspective and replacing it with positive perspective. Think of the times you see a birth in a show or movie, and of the endless drama and screaming and pain that is portrayed on the screen…negativity, right? I don’t expect my birth to be without intensity and it’s fair measure of pain and discomfort, but I do expect it to be a beautiful, calm, and peaceful experience. I believe wholeheartedly that our expectations for something (not just a birth) play a huge, huge, huge factor into the actual outcome of that event. If I expect negativity, I get negativity. I’ve done a lot of reading in the past months about labor and delivery, and have also done all that I can to avoid negative portrayals of birth. I’ve watched a few online videos of births, but only of ones that promote that kind of birth that I want.

Recommended reading:: Active Birth, The Joy of Natural Childbirth, The Natural Pregnancy Book

Exercise during pregnancy is another way of preparing. Obviously, you need strength and stamina for birthing, and staying active throughout a pregnancy is the best way to prepare physically for the hours of labor. I try to get in a half-hour walk most days, and also some gentle strength training. It doesn’t feel “right” to me to do strenuous or high-intensity exercise while pregnant, although I’m sure to some women, this can feel ok. My mid-wife checks in on my exercise at each of my prenatal appointments, so it’s a good motivation and accountability.

Rest and relaxation is just as important as exercise. I don’t want to arrive at the birth of my baby with a worn-down and exhausted body and mind, so on the days where I feel tired and in need of extra sleep, I do what I can to take it. I’ve also worked at learning some relaxation techniques to help with relaxation during labor.

A birth playlist is something I have yet to put together, but I want to compile a list of some of my favorite songs, as well as just some soft, instrumental music to use during labor. Music is always really important to me, and I know that utilizing it during labor will be helpful for me.

Relaxation prompts and verses is also something I’m working on compiling for labor. I want to have inspiring and comforting words easily available to review, as well as some positive affirmations and reminders for relaxation. This might seem a bit redundant, and perhaps it will be…but I’d rather be over-prepared than under-prepared!

Red raspberry tea is known for it’s usefulness in preparing the uterine and pelvic muscles for the work of delivery, and I’ve been drinking a quart a day for the last several months. I pour it into a jar every morning, and since it also counts as part of my recommended water intake, it helps me get down those three-four quarts of liquid per day as well.

What about you: what do you recommend for preparing for birth?

I’d love to hear your thoughts!