Preparing for birth, what would you do?

451 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Softmama, Jun 11, 2004

Softmama

Discussion Starter · Jun 10, 2004

Hello!
If you had all the time in the world to prepare yourself for pregnancy and birth, what would you do? What do you think are the most important things? I am taking a full year to prepare for my next pregnancy (assuming there are no suprises!) and am hoping to be in a better place than I was for my last one. I want to be healthy, strong, and emotionally ready for this one. What are you so glad you did to prepare yourself, and what do you wish you had done or are planning to do for the next one?
TIA

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ebethmom

· #2 · Jun 10, 2004

For me, my weight was an issue. I lost 64 pounds - my prepregnancy weight with ds was 214. With this one, my prepregnancy weight was 150. I am in much better physical shape as well.

I came up with a plan of action when ds was about 2 months old. We joined Weight Watchers, then the gym. In the beginning, I was mainly focused on weight loss. Then the year before I conceived, I focused more on fitness.

I also learned how to eat better. Actually, I'm just practicing what I knew all along!

I had preeclampsia with my son, and I have been working to avoid that with this baby! Reading about other mothers' experiences here at MDC has really helped me. I felt so alone during my first pregnancy.

I've also read more with this baby. With ds, I had no idea how many great natural childbirth books are out there!

I hope I'm emotionally ready for this second baby! I can't wait to hold her and kiss her! But I'm so apprehensive about how ds will react. He is almost three. Last night he told me, "You NOT Lila's mommy! You NATHAN'S mommy!" Oh my.

I think that everyone has their own issues. That you are already thinking about yours is the biggest step! Then coming up with a plan of action. Then actually doing it!

I still wish I had done better research about midwives before hiring our first. I didn't ask all the questions that I should have, and it took a while to realize that not all midwives follow the Midwifery Model of Care. I didn't switch to our current midwife until 31 weeks. Maybe if we had decided on a homebirth earlier, my family wouldn't still be as oppositional.

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cottonwood

· #3 · Jun 10, 2004

The most important thing for me has been coming to understand that birth happens best when not managed, guided, or observed, that is, that my body knows best and my instincts can be trusted. That has made a huge difference for me. The second most important thing has been getting my life to a harmonious place. Getting my house organized and comfortable, getting into a daily routine that feels good and right, fostering deep and loving relationships with my husband and kids, believing in and liking myself, loving my body, and getting rid of all the negative stuff (including negative people) in my life.

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Softmama

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 11, 2004

Thanks Mamas
That's exactly the information I was looking for.

ebethmom- what type of questions do you recommend when interviewing a midwife? Did you use a CNM, or another type? I am thinking about homebirth this time around. I will probably start interviewing midwifes before I even conceive.

blueviolet- I think you are right about the loving realtionship with dh and the children. Dh and i were at a difficult place during my last pregnancy and I think that pretty much set the tone for the pregnancy, labor, and delivery. I will definitely have to focus on keeping that relationship strong and healthy.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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