Leading up to labor prep? « Back to Group Discussions

[flavorfull1]

What did you do or are you going to do as far as supplements or exercises to be ready for labor?

Figured we could add this to the list since we have another thread for labor and one for postpartum.

I did prenatal yoga with DS and started EPO orally and vaginally at 37 weeks. Then I also started RRL tea at 37 weeks. I know you can drink it while pg but I wanted to wait, it seemed to be really effective in the toning of my uterus part.  Really enjoyed drinking it though. I also think my mw started me on alfalfa at some point in the weeks before DS was born. I didn't really enjoy this one because they stank so much.

I think I will probably repeat the EPO and RRL tea but omit the alfalfa unless my mw thinks I should do it.  I am trying to do the prenatal yoga. It makes me feel so much better and the breathing/focussing definitely helped during labor last time.

Anyone doing perineal stretching/massage?  I didn't and am curious if anyone did and felt like it helped?

[zuzusplace]

I'm terrible and don't really do anything. I get the birth supplies all in order, and do my best to stay rested and then pretty much trust everything else to go as it should. Probably not the safest method, but it's what I've always done.

[Rasa]

I'm just going to ask my midwives this at my next appointment this Thurs (33 wks cause they had to cancel my 32 week one), esp. about the alfalfa.  I'm also curious about the perineal massage--like, is that a good thing to do or not?  I made some half-hearted attempts at it last time but man, did my OB go to town doing it during pushing (I had an epidural) and I wonder if it helped prevent any external tearing or whether it caused loss of nerve sensation in that region for a long time...hmmm.

Right now I plan to start back up on the RRL tea in the final few weeks and possibly take alfalfa capsules.  I'm not aware of using evening primrose oil...tell me more!

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I had a VERY long and hard labor last time, so I'm uber-paranoid now. I've been drinking RRL regularly since probably 20 weeks, and I'm definitely stepping it up. Started cal/mag this week, and I'll be doing EPO orally at 35 weeks, vaginally starting at 37. Perineal massage starting at 36 weeks, probably. I'm also doing spinning babies stuff to get this kid into a good position, though currently (32 weeks) he keeps spinning. I don't do prenatal yoga classes because i've been doing yoga since I was 16 and really, I know what I'm doing, I don't need to pay $75 for 4 classes of easier yoga than I'm used to. Oh, that's right, I'll start 5 W or Gentle Birth at 35 weeks as well.

[Aletheia]

Great thread!

I love RRL tea, but haven't been drinking it.  Is it likely to make my uterus feel more like "working out"?  Because that's what I think it's doing with all these dang Braxton-Hicks, and I don't want any more of them.  My uterus likes to flex.  :)

Remind me what Evening Primrose Oil does--- is it a natural source of prostaglandins?  For ripening?  And is the alfalfa just for minerals?  I do nettle tea somewhat regularly for minerals (including calcium).  I wonder what the differences are there.

As for yoga, I did a prenatal class all the way through with DS2's pregnancy, and I think it helped a lot.  Not just the strength training, but more the focus needed to hold positions that are not comfortable.  I've been doing it somewhat regularly on my own, but not in a class this time around.

As a former Bradley Method student, I find myself trying to sit on the floor cross-legged a lot (to help open up the pelvis and bring baby forward), doing squats when I need to pick something up, doing Kegel's when I have a spare moment, and doing pelvic tilts (cat/cow in yoga) nightly before bed to get some baby pressure off my bladder-- it's much more comfortable to lay down after about 40 of those.

I'm really hitting the Floradix hard to get iron levels up, and taking a lot of probiotics since I believe birth transfers those good bugs to your baby.  I haven't been running this last week because I had minor foot surgery and I'm still sore.

That's all here!

[Aletheia]

OH, and BTW-- what are y'all going to wear for labor?  What about immediately afterwards?  I wore a sarong and a black bra and a mother-of-pearl necklace that is special to me for DS2's labor, and felt sort of sexy/powerful during the process.  For DS1's birth I had just bought a raggedy old thrift-store nighty so I wouldn't have to wear a hospital gown, but I felt like a country bumpkin and it made me feel even less like an informed patient than a hospital gown would have.  :(  Call me crazy, but I think finding the right outfit is sort of a good way to set the mood for who you are as a laborer.

I still have the sarong and necklace, and a black bra... but I don't want to dress to repeat the last labor somehow.  So I need a new idea.  Ultimately, we hope to birth in the water again, but during labor in my house I want to feel like some sort of exotic goddess.

I bought some nice jammies to change into to assume my post-partum "cute mommy" role when all the primal bellowing required of an exotic goddess is over.  :)

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

EPO helps with ripening the cervix. I used it vaginally twice during labor and noticed improved progress immediately afterwards. I still had a really long labor, but the EPO helped. I'm hoping if I do it before labor it'll make this one go a lot faster.

And I'll be wearing whatever it is I'm wearing that day, until I get into the pool, at which point I'll be nekkid. I'm totally a naked birther :)

[zuzusplace]

I'm wearing something very similar to the Mexican/Mayan huipil. It's essentially a long piece of cloth folded in half, stitched up the sides leaving it open at the very top for the arms to go through, and then a hole is cut for the neck (imagine a giant pillow case made into a dress LOL). Mine is made of brightly tie-dyed silk so I don't have to worry about it getting ruined, and has a tie on the front that can be tightened or loosened to fit my comfort zone. There is a wiki site that shows them at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huipil but it shows them as wide and short, mine is more like the dress actually on the women, long and only wide enough to go out to my elbows when I put my arms out to the side. VERY comfy, flexible, easy to make, leaves plenty of "access" for birth attendants/babies/DHs, and pretty much incapable of being ruined by bodily fluids, etc.

[justKate]

Hmm.  Keep up with my iron supplementing.  Begin GSE capsules x 2 daily around 34 weeks with the hope of being GBS neg again.  I quit RRL tea because of the Braxton Hicks, but may begin again later, like 37 weeks.  I did EPO capsules last time (orally and vag) but I don't think it really helped, so I'm not sure if I'm going to spend the money on that again.  Still doing inversions a la spinning babies.  Trying to sit up straight when I sit and squat instead of bending.  That part is hard.

As for labor dress, I think I'll wear a cheap sports bra and maybe engineer some sort of nightgown to wear at the hospital.  The problem is that being a VBAC, continuous fetal monitoring and a hep-lock are going to be required at my hospital.  So I need to install some snaps or something on whatever I'm laboring in.  Or maybe make something.  TBH, if I wear cheap stuff they can just cut it off if they need to, as far as I'm concerned.  I definitely need to figure something out though, because wearing a hospital gown makes me feel defeated, which is not a good thing.

[Rasa]

I've always liked the pics of water labor/birth with a black bra or tank top, so figured I'd go with that bit hadn't figured out bottom half.  Love the sarong idea, Aletheia, thanks, I'll prob steal that one ;-)  I agree that looking good will be empowering...for some reason I can't stand the idea of necklaces when pregnant (or anything around my neck/upper cheat really) but I scheduled a haircut close to my due date (shortish hair I have looks best recently trimmed) and i do want to get my toenails painted for once this year!  And I agree about the cute pj's, I hope to score some time to loll about for a few days!

[zuzusplace]

Kate, something like what I'm wearing might work...you could buy a cheap but comfortable fabric and instead of sewing up the side, use snaps. Then the cords/tubes for the monitors and heplocks can easily be fed between the snaps.

[thomatuttle]

i was wondering when everyone was going to start mentioning the RRL!!   i haven't started with any yet since i don't want them to kick up the BH's, but i'll probably start in a few weeks.  i'm 33 weeks tomorrow and i have a ton of stuff to do to prepare, so i think i'll hold off a little bit.  i didn't do the EPO last time and don't think i will this time either.  DD was my first and i was 3 cm 75% effaced 3 weeks before, 3 1/2 cm 80% effaced 2 weeks before, and 4 cm 90% effaced the week before, so i don't think i need anything to really help my cervix ripen!  what does the alfalfa do?  i could get some at work (a health food store) but we only have really gigantic bottles and i don't really want to have to buy one if i don't need to.   i didn't do any perineal massage either and amazingly didn't tear.  how i didn't tear with an OP presenting DD with a nuchal arm is besides me! 

       as for what i'll be wearing, i'll probably wear the necklace that i put together with the birth beads i get, unless it starts to bother me and then i'll just have it near by.  with DD, i wore an exercise/sports bra type top during labor.  i wasn't sure if my FIL would be there and didn't want him to be uncomfortable.  my dad and brother were also there, but it was my FIL i was most concerned about.  he didn't end up being there, but i just left it on.  i labored in a jacuzzi tub at the hospital and it helped me feel a little warmer when i had my chest out of the water.  i ripped it off as soon as DD was born.  once i took a shower, i put on the hospitals gown just because that's what the nurse who was helping me shower handed to me (DH was with DD, my mom was moving all my stuff to my recovery room [the birth tub room is only used for labor and delivery, so they move you soon after birth in order to prep it for another woman who might come into labor and want to use it], and i was having some slight hemorraghing so i couldn't shower by myself).  it was a hideous pink color, so after a while i changed into a gown that DH's cousin's wife gave me.  it was one of those "designer" hospital gowns that you can buy.  here's the website from the brand they got me: http://dolcedesignsnw.com/shopmodern.htm and the pattern they got was the bellagio.  it's basically a gown with snaps in the back, but also has snaps in the shoulders for breastfeeding.  they are ridiculously expensive and i would have never bought one for myself, but it was nice to have something that was nicer looking than the typical hospital gown.  not sure if i'll wear it this time or not, but i probably will.  i think some of the snaps tore in the shoulder last time, but that should be an easy fix.  i think once DS is born, i am going to cut it up and make a skirt or dress for DD and some pants for DS with it, so they'll both have something that i wore when they were born!  i also have some gigantic hospital scrub pants i found at a thrift store years ago that i'll probably lounge in afterwards.  we'll see how i feel when i am actually there in labor, birth, and post-partum. 

       a few days before DD was born last time, i got a 2 hour pedicure with my mom that was just heaven!  i would love to do that again!  i would also like to get my hair cut, but we'll see if time and money allows for that.  last time, my hair was still in the process of growing out.  my mom found out she had cancer about the same time that i found out i was pregnant.  so DH who is a high school teacher got together with our local relay for life group for a fundraiser at the school.  kids could buy tickets for the chance to shave our heads.  we raised about $200 from the high school and someone contacted the local walmart and they matched it!  so we ended up raising almost $400!  i was 3 months pregnant when my head was shaved.  my hair looked a little crazy in the after-birth pictures with DD, so i definitely would like it to look a little more tame this time around. 

[RosieL]

Interesting thread, you're all giving me ideas for stuff I *really* haven't thought about much. :)

[Fern5Fern]

I did EPO orally from 36 wks onward last time, although I have a different midwife this time so I'll get her opinion.  I also regularly drink a tea with nettle, alfalfa and RRL in it, a blend my midwife makes herself.  I also do yoga regularly, although at this point my hips are so ridiculously flexible (I did pigeon pose last night at my class and felt NO STRETCH at all, I didn't even know that was possible) I kind of wonder if the flexibility is making my SI joint back and butt pain worse.  I think I'm going to tone it down and do only the most gentle poses that make me feel good.  For labor I will probably wear nothing.  If my midwife has other ideas about things to do to prep for labor I'm open to them.

[usagi629]

I do yoga throughout pregnancy as I'm able. Pelvic Tilts, if nothing else, are really important to do.

I also drink RRL tea throughout just because I like it and it's good for you the whole time.

I took EPO last time orally hoping to encourage baby to come out. That and sex. :-O But I don't really know if any of it did anything.

I will only do EPO this time if my mw recommends it, otherwise I'm not planning on it.

[usagi629]

Also..... As far as what to wear... It's funny to me reading about all the "nekkid birthers". I really never thought I would be one, but by the time I got towards the end of the labor with DS, I just got to a point where I couldn't care less, and with getting in and out of the tub so many times, I got fed up with changing clothes.

I'm thinking I might try to find a sports bra this time and try a skirt, although I like the idea of a sarong after reading some you have used one. But I won't be surprised if I end up naked as a jaybird. :-P

[Tulafina]

Supplements- I have quite the list..LOL

I drink an infusion of Nettle, RRL and Oatstraw everyday. I make it the night before and steep it all night long. I use my french press and then take the infusion and put it into a large pitcher which I keep in the fridge. I drink this thoughout the day. Infusions contain WAY more calcium/vitamins/etc than the same herbs steeped for 15 mins, like a tea. I drink the infusion when in labour too or make popsicles to suck on.

I take Flouradix and Triple Iron once a day with an Emergen-C pack(also used when in labour).

Rainbow Light prenatals, Probiotics, Butter oil/Cod Liver oil, Cal/Mag, Vit D and Alfalfa capsules(sooooo good for you during pregnancy and great for increasing milk supply too, ladies!)

I've never done perineal massage...never had any tearing with baby #2 or #3 and the only reason I tore(4 stitches) with #1 was because his arm came out with his head...ouch.

I did EPO with my first and haven't with the others....not planning on using it this time either.

I might do some vaginal garlic suppositories around 36+ weeks on. I'm not doing any testing but I was GBS+ once so it's more for peace of mind this time.

I talk A LOT to my baby. I ask that he/she gets into a good position so the birth is easier on both of us. I ask that they tuck their chin, get head down(if they aren't already) and slide out easily:)

I also have my supps for after the birth for bleeding/healing etc. My bath herbs are SO important to me. Baby and I bathe in them right after birth and it helps with my bum and their umbilicus.

I also put Witch hazel into my peri bottles with warm water. I use Arnica for 4 days PP. Plus I'll be encapsulating this time around as well as making a ticture. I make my own baby bum cream with Comfrey leaf in coconut oil/olive oil. I continue my herbal infusion as well. Oh, and I make frozen PP pads with water/ witch hazel/calendula on them for swelling.

I'm starting up my prenatal yoga classes soon...meant to weeks ago but my hubby works late so it's very difficult to get to them.

I see my Chiropractor once every 2 weeks until the end. I also use my yoga ball a lot to try to open my hips and keep things supple.

I try to do a lot of hands and knees work during my last weeks of pregnancy too. After having an OP baby/birth with #2, I vowed to do this with #3 and it helped some I think. I plan on being bent over in my garden, so here's hoping it works again. I'm very careful not to recline AT ALL past 35 weeks and to keep my tummy warm(cardigan etc or sweater- we live in a cold climate)......babies like to be warm so having your belly exposed or cold could lead to a baby that turns OP just to stay warmer.

I'm a nekkid labourer too.....I may have a sports bra on again like last time but it depends on how I'm feeling. I like to record my births so it's kinda nice to show others without having any privacy issues.

Can't think of anything else..... :D I love this thread!!

[tarabelle]

tulafina- please come over and help me prep.  you've got it covered!

 

[justKate]

Made my first EVER chiropractor appt for next week.  I'm actually really excited about it.  Crappy part is my insurance doesn't cover ANY chiro care, but this place gives a 50% discount for military cash patients.  Hopefully it will help get babe in a good position.

[NCMtnMama]

I need to look into a lot of the things you guys are talking about- I didn't know about them the first time around. 

I think I'm going to schedule a prenatal massage with a massage therapist/doula here in town, and probably also some acupuncture treatments for relaxation. 

Also, there isn't anywhere here to take non-hospital-sponsored childbirth classes, so I'm thinking of getting the hypnobirthing CDs and book today just to learn some relaxation techniques to practice going in. I know myself, and I know what once I get anxious, I'm a huge ball o' stress and that doesn't help anything when it comes to labor. I figure that it couldn't hurt.