Preparing for Birth
Recently in clinic, I have been very focused on preparing patients for the third and fourth trimesters of their pregnancies. We are generally not told what to expect or how to prepare for a pregnancy and subsequent birth until we have already conceived. Additionally, nursery design and cute baby clothes are often the main topics of conversation, not what labor can look like, how to prepare for a new baby and perhaps time off of work. Important topics such as how to prevent pelvic floor dysfunction, post partum anxiety and depression, or simply how to function during the fourth trimester should be considered. Because I am seeing this gap in education and support, I am working to disseminate some valuable birthing information. This will be very beneficial to both baby and a birthing person.
The practical checklist:
Begin as early as possible touring daycare centers to get on their waitlists. In Chicago, the waitlists can be close to twelve months and that is not practical for many families. During your tour, be sure to ask about Covid precautions, education level of the teachers, continuing education unit requirements in early childhood education, and ratio of teachers to kiddos. This will help weed out the good from the mediocre or bad centers.
Start pelvic floor therapy during pregnancy, and even before pregnancy if you are planning ahead. This will support your body through the various changes of pregnancy but also give you great tools for labor and prevent pelvic floor damage post birth.
Find a doula/birth worker who can be supportive and is knowledgeable. They are usually available to you via text or email and for in person meetings. While you only get five to ten minutes with an ob/gyn a few times during your pregnancy, a doula/birth worker will walk you through the anxieties and symptoms of pregnancy, how to detect labor signs, what to pack in your hospital bag, supportive birthing positions, medically necessary interventions during labor, and advocate for you so that you and your partner can focus on experiencing your child's birth.
Invest in therapy. Support your mind and body with a therapist who is familiar with post partum anxiety and depression so that you can establish a rapport and have support during and after pregnancy. Starting therapy deep into depression with a newborn is hard. Be proactive!
Delegate early and often. Set up a cleaning service for your home once a month, ask a friend to handle pick up and drop off of other children for a few weeks, make a daily joint task list of expectations with your partner, and train your coverage at work well before you need to leave. Cover your bases so that when you go into labor, you can focus on your body and baby.
Instead of registering for all of the fancy baby gadgets or perhaps in addition to asking for material things for the baby, ask for a friend or family member to start a post partum doula fund, a monthly night nurse fund, or a meal train. Meal prep, sleep hygiene, and self care tend to suffer post birth so be sure to set up systems that will help you stay fed, rested, and cared for.
Finally, people have been having babies for thousands of years. Nothing can beat your natural instincts. Listen to them! Know that you are the best parent for your baby.
Lean into your instincts and listen to your gut. You are the best parent possible for your baby. Be proactive- don't wait for a problem to arise to address it. The best kind of medicine is preventative medicine.