What to Do Before Going Into Labor

Are you ready to push? No, you’re not? You’re going to have a C-section? That is perfectly okay. Different people experience different things before, during, and after labor. For expectant mommies, especially new mommies, there are many things to consider and remember. Most of the time, many worries go through the heads of expectant mothers – and fathers. You have to overcome those fears and self-doubts.

If you are an expectant mother, have a wife who is expecting, or have someone close that is expecting, you have to know the things to complete before labor. Single parents may struggle a little more. Some might say that preparing for the baby to arrive doesn’t really matter because nothing goes according to plan or because they don’t have enough resources to do such tasks, but you have to remember that these things are important for the safety of both mother and child. 

So what are the things to prepare before the baby arrives? There are important things that you should not forget to do, and there are also things that you may or may not do pre-labor. Here’s a pre-labor check for you to consider practicing according to the proximity of your schedule:

MONTHS BEFORE LABOR  

a pregnant woman sitting in the fields outdoors

Complete the Prenatal Check-up. This is very important and crucial. That means that you should opt to follow and religiously conduct this. Prenatal care is a type of medical care that you have to undergo pre-labor. During this prenatal check-up, the health care providers check the status of both mommy and baby.

This medical care ensures that the mommy is healthy during pregnancy and after birth; it also ensures the baby’s health by assisting the mother to bring the baby to full-term.

During these check-ups, they can see the possible threats to pregnancy, how the baby should be delivered, and what the mother should do or eat during pregnancy. During this time, the health care provider may also prescribe vitamins or medications that the mother has to take. Remember always to consult your doctor.

Go walking

Some say that extraneous activities are a big no-no for expectant mothers. However, that is not entirely true. For one, walking is not an extraneous activity, and two, walking has many benefits for pregnant women.

Exercise during pregnancy is as important as a good and nutritional diet for pregnant women. Walking during pregnancy reduces the risk of complications in pregnancy and delivery, lowers the risk of unplanned C-sections, and reduces the possibility of developing gestational diabetes. It also reduces back pains and other forms of body aches brought by the pregnancy.

Although most women are advised to exercise during pregnancy, your situation may not allow you to do so. Again, it is important to consult your doctor.

Start Nesting

Some might say that you look like a crazy baby-proofing everything inside your house, but you don’t have to listen to them. Remember that it is not for them but for the baby.

You have to prepare the baby’s room or if you prefer that the baby is close to you, prepare the baby’s crib. Ensure that both the cooler and the heater work perfectly fine because you don’t want to wake up in the middle of the night with crying and sweating baby. 

Sleep

If time allows and your body asks for it, get that well deserved rest. You won’t know if you can catch any sleep when the baby arrives. A night of good sleep is important to both mother and child. Having enough and quality sleep reduces the risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and high blood pressure.

Now that you have followed the checklist above and the due date is getting closer by the minute, there are other separate things to complete before the labor, and this is weeks or days before the schedule. Here’s another pre-labor check for your guidance:

WEEKS BEFORE LABOR

a couple holding hands with baby shoes

Stock Up

Prepare the sets of diapers, tissues, and food. These are the things you need before the baby arrives. With the baby arriving, you won’t know if you have any more time to prepare your food or buy some groceries. You might have a long adjusting period. Make sure that you stock up on easy to prepare food.

Sign Up for a Baby Class

Although this is not as important as your prenatal check-ups, baby classes are as valuable as prenatal check-ups. In this class, you will learn what to expect during delivery, from contractions to breathing, pushing techniques, and even using a breast pump for breastfeeding. This will also reassure you and lessen your anxiety, especially when you will be prepared with what to expect during labor. But then again, always consult your doctor.

Save the Doctor’s phone number

Health care professionals also take breaks, and you have to keep that in mind. When you go into labor, your doctor might be on schedule at the moment, so you must save your doctor’s number in your handy phone. Make sure that the doctor’s number can easily be found on your phone.

If you want to follow the pre-labor checks mentioned above, don’t forget to consult your doctor first. Congratulations on your new journey, and stay safe!