Let's talk labor prep « Back to Group Discussions

[brooklyn_warbler]

Well, I know I'm 32 weeks tomorrow but 1babysmom just inspired me to find out that this means I only have 57 days left to my EDD.  Given that both of my other children were early, I could be giving birth even sooner than that (though I am not counting on that).  CRAZY.

I'm curious what the rest of you ladies are doing, if anything, to prep for labor.  With both of my other pregnancies, I toyed with the idea of taking either evening primrose oil or a tincture many of my friends highly recommend starting at around 35w (Gentle Birth Formula, here http://www.mountainmeadowherbs.com/Gentle_Birth_p/g1030.htm).  But I didn't do either because I became deeply invested in the idea of "just seeing what my body would do on its own."  In the first pregnancy, I did drink RRL/Nettle tea all through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters because I had been drinking it for reproductive health prior to getting pregnant anyway, but I didn't even do that with my second pregnancy because it gave me terrible Braxton Hicks.

I have had two "textbook," uneventful and QUICK homebirths before my due date in the past, so I feel like it would be silly to reconsider doing anything differently, but I think I sometimes wonder if I could be that lucky a third time and maybe should reconsider these options.    I have been drinking the RRL/Nettle tea, as it hasn't exacerbated by BH this time. 

What are the rest of you thinking about doing?

Other than thinking about this issue, I do need to start getting my birth kit together.  My m/w and I are going over that at my next visit, which is next week.  I have already contacted and booked someone to encapsulate my placenta so at least I've accomplished something!  I really feel like I am in complete denial that I'll be giving birth soon!  I still feel so comfortable, and I'm so busy with homeschooling and my own midwifery school work, that it's been easy to ignore I'm pretty deep into the third tri.  Yikes.

[Ayn1999]

I also drink RRL and nettle leaf teas. Just started about a week ago. I don't remember when I started last time, but I think around the same time. I also asked my midwife about evening primrose oil just yesterday, which I used last time. She had info, but not much of an opinion - that's kinda her style, give the info and let you decide for yourself. So anyway, I used the oil capsules vaginally for about 2 weeks before my due date last time (I think?). I was dilated to 2cm when checked on my due date, without feeling any contractions (BH or otherwise) whatsoever, so I think the oil probably had something to do with it. She ended up being born at 40+5. I will probably use them again. Midwife suggested 1000mg orally, but I forget when she said to start...

[Ayn1999]

As for being "ready" otherwise, I am totally not. Need to pack a hospital bag, prep some frozen pads, research placenta storage (plan to eat raw in smoothies and pop raw/frozen as pills and make a pincture). We are putting our house on the market in the next few weeks, so my focus is on that, although has also kicked me into gear for getting "stuff" done in general. I am working full time for 2 more weeks, so after that, imagine getting a lot more done!

[astrogeoCole]

I was thinking of starting a similar thread - thanks Robina!  I am 32 weeks today and starting to feel a little overwhelmed with all the things to finish.  I am glad I am not the only one who is wondering where the time has gone...But I still feel like I have been pregnant *forever*.

I am drinking RRL/nettle tea and have on/off through my 2nd and 3rd trimesters.  I like the taste and try to go for at least a quart of relatively strong tea per day.  I did not drink RRL tea for my other two pregnancies (no reason - just lazy) and both births were uncomplicated homebirths (mild/moderate shoulder dystocia with my 2nd, but she was 9lbs with "big" shoulders and labor was quick - I think she was just in a hurry to get out! lol).

I am interested in trying evening primrose oil this time and will ask my midwives at our appointment next week.  My Mom will hopefully be here around my due date and it would be nice to make sure I am doing all I can naturally for a "timely" birth.  My son was born on his due date and my daughter a day after her due date, so hopefully this little one will follow that trend.  Thanks for the info about the EPO!

My birth pool arrived the other day (delivered by a cute Fed-ex driver who was probably wondering why someone ordered a fishy-pool in February - too bad I didn't answer the door with "Great - my birth pool is here! ).  I love fishy-pools and am excited to use it in labor and hopefully for my first waterbirth.  I feel more prepared just having it in the house.

As far as metal prep, I feel a bit behind...I didn't do much for my first two births and I think I handled labor/birth pretty well.  Now, 7 years later, I would like to do more this time to prepare myself.  I have read Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method and found it to be...okay.  I will practice a few of the breathing techniques but probably not much else.  My prenatal yoga DVD has some relaxation/visualization techniques so I will give that a try.  Anyone have suggestions for some last minute labor prep?
 

[IronMam]

My hypnobabies home study is currently in the mail. Once that arrives I guess I'm supposed to do it a little bit each day, which sounds pretty nice to me, because self-hypnosis I've done in the past (for other purposes) has been super relaxing.

We put our deposit down on a birth tub (an aqua doula, I think). The doula who is renting it to us will deliver it nearer my due date.

I'm working on iTunes playlists for labor. I've got one that's songs I intend to sing as lullabies, and some others planned (like a power song list, and a relaxation list, etc.). 

And I've started gathering supplies for my "d-day kit" and kits for the family. For example, mine will have some treats for me, a pretty headband, a dark chocolate bar, yoga socks (with grippies on the bottom), etc. and some more needed things, like tucks wipes, gatorade (I know water is healthier, but when I'm uncomfortable, I'm more willing to hydrate if I've got classic, green gatorade - love that stuff), energy snacks (date + coconut balls is what I want to make), a massage thingy, etc. DD's has a new DVD, some crafts, a personalized Big Sis necklace and a little foam crown, some treats and toys, etc. that will give her some stuff to do and help her not feel left out in case the baby gets lots of gifts (which he probably won't, since we don't have friends and family around). Her Uncle is getting a gift basket with snacks, a gift card for DQ (he's going to be watching after DD, so I wanted them to have something they could go do together), plus a gift card just for him, as a thank-you. And DH's will have snacks, instant coffee and/or soda (in case he needs a pick me up), some gifts, etc.

Mostly I'm focusing on getting ready for everything that comes AFTER labor. There's still a lot to gather and do before I'm ready to parent this little babe. One thing I'm doing is slowly gathering the healthiest convenience foods I can (and planning on making a lot of freezer meals and such). I want to make normal tasks, like making sure DD and I eat healthy snacks, as easy as possible so I don't end up making poor choices due to exhaustion. Knowing myself, if I'm tired and stressed, I'm more likely to munch on some dry sugary cereal or other junk, than cut up a piece of fruit (even though I ADORE fruit), so I figure I might as well stock up on single serve applesauce (no sugar added) and diced fruit cups (in water), which may not be as yummy, cheap, or unprocessed as fresh fruit...but is a heck of a lot better than junk food. Usually we don't like to pay extra or produce extra garbage, but for hectic life experiences, I am all for being temporarily less green and less frugal if it keeps me from totally giving up on good choices.

I also want to pack a hospital bag, in case of emergency transfer. I don't anticipate a problem, but with how long DD's labor ended up being, I know that it's possible my midwives may get to a point where they say it's time to seek some intervention if this baby also decides to take 36 hours. In case that happens, or in case an emergency happens, I want to be ready to go out the door and have everything I'll want/need with me at the hospital. Being prepared for the worst case scenario allows me to not worry about it as much. :)

[Oliver's Mama]

I've just started up with things like squatting, stretching, kegels, and then perineal massage with assistance .  I really focused on that with my second birth because my first birth I had  a 3rd degree tear followed by episiotomy, and I think prepping things down there helped me avoid any tearing the second time. Oh, and sitting/rocking on my birthing ball ALL the time, and I'm doing an aquatic class this pregnancy which I hear keeping up with it til the birth can prove beneficial.

Also RRL tea.  

My last birth, I dabbled in the Hypnobirthing/Mongan method book and Birthing from Within, but I just kinda fell into my own version of hypnosis with a James Taylor CD, and it worked, so I'll just do that again.  

I need to look into what this evening primrose you're all talking of is about.

[1babysmom]

Oooh yay!  My favorite topic!!! :)

Physically, I drink lots of RRL tea (well it's a pregnancy blend I mix up with it, lots of nettle, alfalfa, dandelion root, rose hips, spearmint, etc...), will start taking alfalfa pills eventually too, will cut back on certain supplements (like garlic and vitamin E), etc.  I need to make up some coconut oil suppositories to use in the last 4ish weeks, and I will probably do EPO occasionally (not a lot though, as last time I'm pretty certain it's one of the main reasons I birthed with a yeast infection, which resulted in horrible colonization of DS and thrush for 8 months straight).  But I do stretch and sweeps on myself late in the game (yep, that's right) and so I'll likely use it for that.  Come the last week or so I will also up my enzymes just in hopes of warding off any prominent candida that is just lurking and waiting to make my nursing life miserable again....

I do lots of deep squats, usually in the shower where I can practice relaxing, too.  I totally visualize birth, but that's because I'm a birth addict (that is seriously an understatement) and I just can't wait and I like to think about it all the time.  I sit on my exercise ball ALL.THE.TIME. already but I start making actual use of it about now, opening my pelvis as much and frequently as possible.  Maybe that's one reason my babies have all been and stayed head down from like 24 weeks and engage super early on and stay there??  I also do tons of pelvic tilts and cat/cow stretches the entire pregnancy, and none of my babies has ever been malpositioned either, so I dunno...  Once it warms up a bit here and the ground solidifies more I will start walking around our 34 acres each night.  

As for supplies, I still need to order my birth kit, but it's one of those things I'm purposefully putting off so I don't get so excited that I make myself miserable while I wait. LOL  I need to sort through my current supplies and see what needs restocked, but I know for sure I'll be ordering more chux (don't really use them at birth, but I like them to sleep on whenever I'm bleeding because it allows me to sleep instead of worry all night about bleeding on my bed!!!), another peri bottle (I have several but I adore those things, and they get lots of use for other things too), cord clamps (I know lots of people aren't fans of clamping but we prefer it), a birth certificate (just the one for looks so we can do footprints on it...can't break that tradition!), stuff like that...  I also need to order some more AfterEase for afterpains.  And I need to soak pads and get them in the freezer.  May make up an herbal bath blend if I get around to it, but that's not a priority.

All that said....I've mentioned before that I start thinking about this stuff and get it in my head that I'm further along than I really am and then I get bummed that I have so much further to go. LOL  I progress a lot (dilation/effacement/station/etc) early on, beginning about 32 weeks, and have a Bishop score that's through the roof by the time I'm term, so I always feel like I should get to go earlier but I never have.  Here's to hoping this time is different. LOL  People think I say I don't want to go 40 weeks just because I'm "done" being pregnant, but really it's just because I love labor so much that I cannot wait to do it again!!!

[IronMam]

Originally Posted by Oliver's Mama 

I've just started up with things like squatting, stretching, kegels, and then perineal massage with assistance .  I really focused on that with my second birth because my first birth I had  a 3rd degree tear followed by episiotomy, and I think prepping things down there helped me avoid any tearing the second time. Oh, and sitting/rocking on my birthing ball ALL the time, and I'm doing an aquatic class this pregnancy which I hear keeping up with it til the birth can prove beneficial.

I need to do the massage too...I tore badly with DD. Of course, it would have helped if the doctor had actually been paying attention/applying counter-pressure, instead of lecturing me (long story). But yeah...

And I just registered for an aqua class too! I got a discount. It's only a month or so, once a week. But hopefully I'll make some friends.

[omphaloskepsis]

Quote:

... I also need to order some more AfterEase for afterpains.  And I need to soak pads and get them in the freezer.  May make up an herbal bath blend if I get around to it, but that's not a priority.

What is AfterEase, please?? I had afterpains last time and they SUCK and I really really do not want to have to take tylenol/ibuprofen/whatever. Hate the way that stuff makes me feel and they didn't work very well for me last time anyway!

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by omphaloskepsis 

Quote:

... I also need to order some more AfterEase for afterpains.  And I need to soak pads and get them in the freezer.  May make up an herbal bath blend if I get around to it, but that's not a priority.

What is AfterEase, please?? I had afterpains last time and they SUCK and I really really do not want to have to take tylenol/ibuprofen/whatever. Hate the way that stuff makes me feel and they didn't work very well for me last time anyway!

This is AE, but Mountain Meadow Herbs has an afterpains formula that I might try this time too...I just love the quality of their stuff and it's almost identical, though it is a little more expensive (but bigger).  I have used it after my last 2 births and I do think it helps.  Sometimes I still have to resort to additional painkillers (in combination with the AE) immediately after birth (because they hurt so bad it makes me nauseous, especially last time), but I feel like it speeds up the process and definitely eases it overall.  I don't know how well it works for others, though.  I seem to respond well to herbal stuff.

[MommyRuth]

DH and I were just talking about picking up supplies. We're both in denial that we're 32 weeks tomorrow, too! I've been drinking RRL tea since the beginning of 2nd trimester. Just one cup a day, usually. I enjoy it and it feels right. I briefly tried 2 cups a day, but it was too much for me to remember/think about. I take stinging nettle capsuls for allergies. I wonder if it'll help with birth at all? I'm not doing much else, other than relaxing. I'm trying to really relax in the evenings before bed. I can get quite tense throughout the day and I want to focus on letting that go. I'm more concerned about getting the house ready right now. I feel like I'll be ready for birth when it happens, and I look forward to it.

[brooklyn_warbler]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom 

This is AE, but Mountain Meadow Herbs has an afterpains formula that I might try this time too...I just love the quality of their stuff and it's almost identical, though it is a little more expensive (but bigger).  I have used it after my last 2 births and I do think it helps.  Sometimes I still have to resort to additional painkillers (in combination with the AE) immediately after birth (because they hurt so bad it makes me nauseous, especially last time), but I feel like it speeds up the process and definitely eases it overall.  I don't know how well it works for others, though.  I seem to respond well to herbal stuff.

Yep, this.  After-Ease is the bomb!  For us multips I recommend getting the bigger bottle.   Last time I was surprised at how much stronger the afterpains were,  and I remember wishing I had a little more when my bottle ran out.  I hear they get worse every time so maybe I'll get the giant MMH one this time.  LOL.

I am enjoying this thread.  But I just pulled myself away from this newborn hat I'm knitting to go to bed, so I can't let myself get sucked into something else.  More responses tomorrow!  :)

[BeanBean06]

What's all this talk of "soaking pads" ladies? I've never done this before so clue me in please!

I plan on starting my RRL tea in abt 10 days or so... My uterus has been so irritable that I'm gonna wait til 34 weeks to have just a little bit and then by 36, after they take my stitch out I'm gonna make it strong and have alot

[1babysmom]

I

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

What's all this talk of "soaking pads" ladies? I've never done this before so clue me in please!

I plan on starting my RRL tea in abt 10 days or so... My uterus has been so irritable that I'm gonna wait til 34 weeks to have just a little bit and then by 36, after they take my stitch out I'm gonna make it strong and have alot

I LOVE soaked and frozen pads!!!! I soak them in witch hazel and freeze them. They feel HEAVENLY after baby!!!! I have only ever used disposable pads for this though, I know some mamas make it work with cloth but it just seems so muh easier with sposies.

[MaineCoastMama]

Has anyone tried "Gentle Birth" from Mountain Meadow Herbs? I'm really curious. I've been drinking RRL tea since probably 25 weeks or so, but this seems to take it up a notch, taken only a few weeks before expected due date.

[BeanBean06]

Originally Posted by 1babysmom 

I
I LOVE soaked and frozen pads!!!! I soak them in witch hazel and freeze them. They feel HEAVENLY after baby!!!! I have only ever used disposable pads for this though, I know some mamas make it work with cloth but it just seems so muh easier with sposies.

Awesome! What a great idea I already got some witch hazel so I will be soaking some pads and freezing this might be a dumb questions... But... Do u soak the whole pad? Will it still "stick" after it's wet? (I'm talking disposable of course)

[astrogeoCole]

Question about what sort of witch hazel to use: is it okay if it contains alcohol?  I haven't been able to find witch hazel without alcohol so far (well, I have really only looked at Target...) but could the alcohol cause irritation or drying?  The bottles I have seen contain about 14% alcohol.

I have used frozen disposable pads in the past but with a postpartum herbal mix/water instead of witch hazel.  They are wonderful, cheap, and easy to use.  You can always switch to cloth pads after a couple of days or whenever you don't need the cold any longer.
 

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by MaineCoastMama 

Has anyone tried "Gentle Birth" from Mountain Meadow Herbs? I'm really curious. I've been drinking RRL tea since probably 25 weeks or so, but this seems to take it up a notch, taken only a few weeks before expected due date.

I posted a whole thread about this here a coupe days ago! No replies yet.... Posted in Birth as well and got one reply so far. My questions are pretty specific but I was hopin some gals here had experience, too!

[1babysmom]

Originally Posted by BeanBean06 

Awesome! What a great idea I already got some witch hazel so I will be soaking some pads and freezing this might be a dumb questions... But... Do u soak the whole pad? Will it still "stick" after it's wet? (I'm talking disposable of course)

I generally just squirt it over the pad several times and call it good. It doesn't affect it's stickiness but does lessen it's absorbancy a bit....but I dont care since those ones are soley for comfort and once they aren't cold anymore I toss them. I have layered them on top of bigger pads before though if I needed the absorbancy.

[MaineCoastMama]

Oops! That's probably where I learned of it:)