10 things you should know before giving birth this year
Sarah Joy Owen
Netmums' midwifeOur new expert midwife, Sarah, share her top tips for a stress free labour
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It might feel like you’ve got a million and one things to get sorted before your baby arrives, but in the rush to buy the perfect travel system, put the last coat of paint on the nursery walls or sort those teeny-tiny clothes, it can be easy to forget about you, and the birthing process itself.
So here are 10 things that Netmums' official midwife, Sarah Joy Owen, wants you to know before you go into labour this year ...
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1. Trust your instincts ... and your body
Your midwife will remind you at every appointment to come into hospital if you are worried about your baby’s movements, or if you feel unwell, or are in pain, because we know you are the world expert on you and your baby.
Trust your instincts in labour, too ... whether that’s moving around, being in a certain position that just feels right or knowing that your body can do this.
2. Each pregnancy, labour and birth are different
Whether this is your first or fifth baby, this pregnancy and your birth will be different. Every single labour is a new adventure.
Talking to other people who’ve birthed is great for helping you get your head round it, but remember, no one else's experience is going to be the same as yours.
Your baby will come their own way.
3. Your birth plan should be a guide
Birth plans are a brilliant way of setting down what’s important to you and your partner, making sure those that look after you understand your needs and concerns. A good birth plan will help us tailor our care to you as an individual.
But, and it's a big but, your body and your baby may have other plans!
Try to keep an open mind and think of alternatives to your original plan should the need arise, so for example you may want to labour without any pain relief but, if you do need some, make sure you've thought about what you would like.
It's also worth considering in your plan how you feel about things like a hormone drip, instrumental delivery or a caesarean.
4. Be COVID aware (but not COVID afraid)
Check out your hospital’s policies on visiting, COVID-19 tests and facilities for making bottles, bringing in milk before you go in.
Guidelines on COVID can change quite quickly, so it’s also worth asking your midwife what the latest advice is at each appointment.
Most hospitals will want you and your birth partner to take regular lateral flow tests in the lead-up to your due date but do check what proof of testing staff need to see.
It’s also worth checking out how many birth partners are allowed, and who can visit you afterwards and for how long. Some maternity units prefer you to bring in powdered milk and your own bottles, for others the guidance will be ready-mixed milk and disposable bottles – get to know the rules where you'll be going and it'll be much less stressful.
If you have managed to express colostrum prior to your baby being born, ask whether there is somewhere you can store this during your stay.
5. Make a nest
Wherever you chose to birth your baby, try to make it as cosy and homely as possible.
Room sprays or diffusers, pillows, blankets, eye masks and battery-operated fairy or tea lights can all help to make even a hospital room feel cosier and more like home. And the more happy and at home you feel, the more oxytocin you will you produce, which will help your labour.
A playlist can also be a great way of relaxing you. Familiar songs that have happy associations will not only get you moving, they offer a welcome distraction from the intensity of contractions.
6. It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Whether you’re at home or in hospital, try to conserve your energy, particularly in the early stages of labour.
If you are at home, try to stay there for as long as possible (providing of course you feel well enough to do so). Being in an upright position and moving your body (think dancing, walking up and down stairs or even marching on the spot) can definitely help labour but, if you’re tired, try propping yourself up on pillows and cushions to allow yourself to be upright but still rest between contractions.
Sitting on a birthing ball can also help you keep moving if you need to sit and rest.
Remember too, if you were running a marathon, you’d need plenty of snacks and isotonic drinks to keep your energy levels. The same goes for labour; make sure you are well-catered for ... and don’t forget your birth partner will need feeding as well!
7. Take your time
As I’ve mentioned, labour is an unpredictable old process and babies have a habit of doing what they want, when they want to! As a result, you may need to make quick decisions during labour and birth.
Generally though, unless it’s an emergency, there should always be time for you and your partner to take a moment to discuss the new plan being proposed or what your next steps might be.
Ask if you can have time to chat before you make a decision – it’s really important you are comfortable and confident with your plan of care.
8. Big knickers, pads, and flip-flops
You are going to bleed after you have your baby – a lot! Think of it as nine months worth of periods and you’ll get the idea.
This means you’ll need super-thick maternity pads (and lots of them!) as well as big ‘Nanna’ knickers to hold them in place. No one said labour was glamourous!
You can buy disposable briefs, some even come with built-in pads (a bit like a nappy) but honestly, you can’t go wrong with some big cotton pants that are a couple of sizes too big, in dark colours. They’re probably better for the environment, too.
Forget fancy slippers in hospital, too ... a trusty pair of flip-flops will be your best friend, especially in the shower.
9. Keep it simple
It can be really tempting to follow the latest influencers and bloggers and buy lots of fancy bits for when your baby is born. But trust me, it’s better to take your time and work out what you will actually need and use.
Essentials you will definitely need are a rear-facing car seat, suitable for newborns, a hat for your baby once they’re born and another one to go home wearing, a bunch of vests and baby grows, nappies (buy way more than you think you’ll need), muslin cloths, cellular blankets (fleecy blankets are gorgeously soft but babies can overheat easily so these are best avoided) or newborn safe sleeping bags, and somewhere for baby to sleep when they’re at home.
Remember the safest place for baby to sleep is in their own bed in your room.
10. Enjoy your babymoon
Those first few magical weeks can feel like a never-ending jumble of feeding, nappy changes and sleeplessness, but try to take time to enjoy them, too.
Set aside time each day for you as a family, with no visitors or phones, when you can all try to sleep for a few hours or just spend time together.
Oh, and never let visitors in unless they are bearing food!
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