Some of the useful things I used/did to prepare for childbirth
Just wanted to document this down for my future self or to help any mummies-to-be 😊
For context:
I delivered via natural childbirth with epidural at 39 weeks + 5 days and am a first time mum. My pre pregnancy weight was 45kg and at the end of my pregnancy it was 57kg.
Other than the usual mandatory things to do such as going for regular gynae checkups, healthy eating as much as possible and taking daily folate and prenatal supplements, I found these other things particularly useful esp towards the third trimester.
1. Epi-No childbirth trainer
This is a rather expensive device and I think I got it for about $200+ish after shipping? But I must say it was really worth it if you really want to prepare yourself for the scary experience of pushing a child out of your body esp as a FTM 😅 my baby boy was on the heavier side (3.5kg) and I was really afraid of suffering from tears afterwards.. It can only be used at the end of your third trimester (iirc around 36/37weeks onwards?) and the purpose of it is literally to train your vagina canal to expand and stretch gradually to accommodate your baby’s head as it comes out. This helps to minimise any tears or complications that may happen. I did a good amount of research on this before buying, religiously read the manual and used it few times a day, everyday up till before my EDD. The goal is to expand till 10cm I think? But I only managed to do it till max 7cm and it was good enough for me.
During my delivery, after the induction, my active baby was able to even kick his head out without me pushing at all 😂 I only had to push 3 times for the rest of his body to slip out. I did still have a tear but my gynae said it was quite minor and after delivery it didn’t cause me much pain.
2. Regular pilates/ yoga
Pre-pregnancy I was rather active and jogged twice a week with regular yoga classes using ClassPass. I wasn’t super athletic but I didn’t like having a sedentary lifestyle. Hence during my second trimester, I still tried to jog once a week until I started experiencing some back pain and stopped. I switched to swimming once a week and walking as much as possible instead to continue maintaining my stamina, and tried to do prenatal yoga every other day as well. This helped me maintain and train my pelvic floor muscles and recover faster after delivery.
3. Raspberry leaf tea
Approaching my 39th week, I was really feeling lethargic and heavy and couldn’t sleep well hence I really wanted baby to be out as soon as possible. I started drinking raspberry leaf tea and few days later I think it contributed to inducing my cramps and delivery 😂 Hence only drink this if you want your baby to be out faster! But looking back, one reminder I would give myself would be to please enjoy the last stage of your pregnancy and sleep as much as possible before baby comes out 😅
As someone who experienced natural childbirth myself, I found that preparing mentally and physically made a big difference. Beyond the usual doctor visits and prenatal vitamins, investing time in exercises like pilates and prenatal yoga helped strengthen my pelvic muscles, making labor less exhausting. The Epi-No childbirth trainer might seem pricey but it truly aided in stretching and preparing my tissues; even reaching 7cm expansion felt reassuring before delivery. Also, drinking organic raspberry leaf tea during the late stages can gently encourage contractions, but I’d advise balancing this with rest to savor those final pregnancy moments. Additionally, I paid close attention to my diet—focusing on nutrient-rich foods to support both baby's growth and my stamina. Swimming and walking replaced jogging when discomfort began, helping me stay active safely. After delivery, these practices seemed to help me recover faster, both physically and mentally. For expecting moms considering tools like the Epi-No or herbal teas, ensure to consult your healthcare provider first, as every pregnancy is unique. Overall, embracing various preparation methods tailored to your body’s needs can boost confidence and ease the childbirth experience.
