Best way to be ready for labor??

[RubyOrganique]

This is for those who have been through childbirth before - what's the best way to be prepared? Every time I eat a spicy meal, I think this is what I might be tossing up in a few hours if my labor starts tonight. I'm continuing my life as usual (running errands, going places on my own without a car, etc.) and wonder is that reckless? Should I stock the frig now or send DH out once we know labor has actually started? What else should I be thinking about in case labor starts tonight?!

Some call me type A; I like to think I think things through, but this one is a complete mystery to me! Any thoughts from those who have been there? :

[julesinottawa]

Well, the tossing things back up could be a valid concern but it's really hard to worry about that day after day after day. So you can try to keep your diet bland if you like but you might get bored...

As for the fridge, do you mean stocking it for labour snacks? Or for easy meals after? I haven't really ever eaten during labour, just don't have any thoughts for food at all but I know some people do. For after, I stock the freezer as full as I can ahead of time. When my first was born, we had way too much fast food and pizza because my dh is just not the cooking type and I was too busy trying to get nursing established (we had issues) to be concerned with cooking. This time I have lots of healthy meals in the freezer with instructions that I plan to have dh make or even I can do it because all the chopping, cutting etc is done ahead of time.

I just had my dh download some cd's onto my mp3 player (that I've never used yet!) I didn't do that with my previous babies so I'm thinking that will be a nice addition to the process.

Other than that, it's hard to prepare for something when you don't know what you'll like. Some people love to be massaged so massage gear but some don't like to be touched at all. I think you should prepare to be openminded and experiment with what will help you through it. Same for your dh.

[~Megan~]

For me it was to continually deny I was in labor. It helped me not get worked up. I finally admitted I was in labor when my water broke and transition started.

[veganf]

I think just having a positive outlook about labor is all you can really do. No matter how much you prepare and plan, it's still a surprise. I don't have much advice despite having done this 3 times at home! Just do what comes naturally and try not to worry...your body will know what to do...

...having a phone within arms reach at all times isn't a bad idea though!

[finnegansmom]

I'm more at ease when things are organized and finished. I like completed lists.
I've washed all the diapers and clothes and everything is in its place.
We are birthing at a hospital, so my bag is packed although we are planning same day discharge.
i'm trying to drink alot of fluids and eat healthy (trying, key word here).
I'm taking daily baths and trying to recharge my batteries. I've gotten a pedicure and I'm trying to "be good" to myself.
I just want to be rested and ready when the time comes, and focus on myself a little bit (for once).

[Kidzaplenty]

I am trying to just take one day at a time! And get some rest. So far, it almost does not even seem real. I keep saying, "Any day we will have a little baby in our arms." But I can't quite "feel" like it is true yet.

[prothyraia]

Do everything as usual so you don't go crazy, with the exception of making sure that you are ALWAYS well-rested. If you're even a little sleepy in the middle of the day, take a nap if you can. Don't stay up later than usual, even if something really exciting is going on. If you think labor is getting started, try to nap!!!!

[Bad Horse]

Also, if you've never given birth before, remember you can't count on having any of that time you hear about some women having. You may not be able to spare dh to make a run out of the house when it starts. You never know if it's going to be short and intense. Both of mine thus far have been.

[RubyOrganique]

Finnegan - I totally relate which is I guess why I'm trying to finish up any loose ends. Especially on things that are actually date sensitive (like bills and paperwork) so I'm doing my best to keep up with those. I've put all the birth supplies in one place so DH can find them easily and recharged the batteries on phones, the video camera and digital camera so we're ready.

So gratefully, I've been able to sleep fairly fell the last week or so. And we're doing our best to go to bed early in case something starts overnight. I should nap more during the day.

Good to know about not banking on a long birthing time. So maybe we'll stock up on pantry and freezer food and let the rest be what it is. I can always send out a friend or order food for delivery if we need to. Fortunately, we live in an urban area so if I want a slice of pizza for some reason, it's a phone call away!

It's nice to hear from those who have done it that there's not much else to be done at this point. It's also a good lesson for me to start to let things go out of my control since I'm anticipating parenting to be a lot of that!

Thanks, everybody!

[Ahimsa]

Originally Posted by Kidzaplenty

I am trying to just take one day at a time! And get some rest. So far, it almost does not even seem real. I keep saying, "Any day we will have a little baby in our arms." But I can't quite "feel" like it is true yet.

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