How to Prepare your Body (and Mind) for Birth
Did you know there are easy, natural ways to prepare your body and mind for birth? Yes, it’s true, labor happens on its own, when your baby and body are ready. While these things won’t induce labor, but they will prep your body for labor, so that when it starts, it goes quickly and smoothly! If you’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, and want to do some small things that can speed up the labor and delivery process, here are some great tips.
Eat Dates
Starting at 36 weeks pregnant, try eating six dates a day. Studies show that eating dates at the end of pregnancy can help ripen your cervix, make you more likely to have a spontaneous labor, and shorten the length of early labor. I’ll be honest, eating six dates a day can be a little more difficult than it sounds. If you have trouble, try adding them to other foods like oatmeal, smoothies, or salads. You can also eat them over the course of the day to make it easier. For example, two with breakfast, two with lunch, and two with dinner. Eating dates is an easy and inexpensive way to prep your body for labor.
Drink Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
Another way to prepare your body for labor is by drinking red raspberry leaf tea. Starting in the third trimester, try adding 1-3 cups of red raspberry leaf tea to your daily diet. You can add lemon, honey, or sugar, but this tea is delicious on its own. Red raspberry leaf tea can also help ripen your cervix and shorten your labor. It can also help strengthen the uterus and decrease postpartum bleeding.
Exercise
We know exercise is good for the body, whether we’re pregnant or not. But, exercise can be extra beneficial late in pregnancy. Bouncing on a yoga ball, curb walking, squatting, and stretching are all easy ways to help your body prepare for labor. These exercises will help open up your pelvis and get your baby’s head engaged. This helps put pressure on your cervix, causing you to dilate. Getting baby into a good position also makes for an easier, quicker labor and delivery.
Practice Positive Affirmations
One way to prepare your mind for labor is to practice saying positive birth affirmations. The more you speak these positive affirmations, the more you will start to really believe them. Positive affirmations have been proven to give women strength during labor and delivery. Repeating your positive affirmations in the weeks leading up to birth will help you get into the right frame of mind before your contractions even start. For a fun and relaxing way to practice your birth affirmations, check out my birth affirmation coloring pages. These are full size, adult coloring pages, that include the birth affirmations. This is the perfect way to destress and practice getting your mind into a positive place before labor and delivery.
Take a Birth Course
Another way to prepare your mind for labor is by taking a birth course. Being educated on the birthing process and what your options are is the very best way to relieve stress and anxiety about childbirth. Every birth is different, and there are countless scenarios that can play out in the delivery room. It’s great to have a birth plan, but its even better to have knowledge about your body and birth so that you’re ready for any situation. My favorite birth course is Birth it Up from Mommy Labor Nurse. She offers a natural course, an epidural course, and a course for c-section moms. If you don’t go for the whole course, at least check out this free workshop “3 Secrets to an Even Better Birth.” Learning about birth can make all the difference.
If you’re in your third trimester, these are some great ways to pass the time and prep your mind and body for labor and delivery. Each of these tips are an easy way to get yourself ready for birth. They don’t take tons of time or effort, but will make a huge difference in the long run.
Related:
DISCLOSURE: Coffee and Coos is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
Some posts on this site may or may not contain affiliate links. Coffee and Coos is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. To learn more, visit our Privacy and Disclosure page.
