5 Ways to Prepare Your Body For Labor

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These 5 ways to prepare your body for labor will help make a huge difference in your entire birthing experience.

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5 Ways to Prepare Your Body For Labor

I’ve had two incredibly different birthing experiences. With Branden, I used every single med and intervention that was offered, and with Blake I went the complete opposite route and did a completely med-free delivery (which you can read about here). If you’re considering a med-free delivery, you can read my guide about 5 things to consider first. Because of these extreme differences, I get ask a lot about preparing your body for labor. More specifically, things that you can do ahead of time, before your pregnancy and during your pregnancy to get your body prepared for whats to come. So I figure it was about time that I put all those recommendations into one place for all you awesome mamas-to-be! And pssssttt I have a special newsletter JUST FOR YOU PREGGOS! Sign up HERE!

1. Fitness.

Okay, so you knew this one would be on here, but it’s a BIG one! With Blake, I knew that we were trying to get pregnant, so I really focused on staying fit and strong in the months leading us to us trying plus throughout my entire pregnancy. I didn’t let anything stop me until the last weeks leading up to her delivery. Your body is such an amazing thing, but you have to make sure that you are staying on top of your fitness game.

2. Meditation.

The body and mind connection really needs to be aligned during childbirth. I thought with Blake that I had it all figured out because I was working out my entire pregnancy, but damn…childbirth is painful and if you aren’t meditating on getting through it, you will struggle. I took time to meditate before bed and repeated mantras to myself, reminding me everyday that I was ready to give birth and that my body was capable.

3. Proper nutrition.

You should be eating healthy your whole pregnancy, it’s a no brainer. But especially during the time around your due date because your body can’t function properly if it’s filled with crap. Make sure you are eating foods that will fuel you through your delivery. Because let’s face it: they don’t call it labor for no reason.

4. Practice different positions that you are most comfortable in.

I was strapped to a bed throughout Branden’s whole delivery and I knew I wanted to mostly labor at home and be able to walk around whenever I gave birth to Blake. Use the time leading up to your delivery to become one with your body (I know that sounds silly), and pay attention to what positions you feel the most comfortable in to manage pain.

5. Practice the art of relaxation.

Have you ever heard of Hynobirthing? I thought it was crazy whenever I first heard of it, but the root of it all makes so much sense: you will feel less pain if you can teach your body to relax. Take those 9 months and figure out what actually gives you the ability to just chill out. Is it massage? Is it a heating pad on your back? Is is lavender essential oils? Because if all else fails and you are just in a lot of pain that nothing else is able to minimize, getting yourself to truly relax could be your secret weapon.

Looking for more pregnancy posts? You will love these!

And my bonus suggestion: this is something that I didn’t do but kinda wish I did – take a class. There are so many different birthing classes that really focus on preparing your body for giving birth and pain management throughout the whole process. You can never be too prepared! How did you prepare your body for labor?

XOXO,

Allison