As a labor nurse and mom of three, this is my best labor advice for the mom-to-be! Take it with a grain of salt – this is what I want every new mom to think about!
Every woman has a picture in her mind for how her perfect birth will go. And while you might feel very strongly about your vision, not everyone has the same idea of a “perfect birth.”
Some women want to give birth as naturally as possible with no medical intervention. Others elect for induction, epidurals, and c-sections! There is no right or wrong way to give birth! However your baby makes it into the world is perfect and beautiful.
Whenever expecting moms find out that I’m a labor and delivery nurse, the first thing out of their mouth is “any advice?!”
YES! I could write a book. A lot of the advice I would give to expecting moms depends on what their vision of a perfect birth looks like. However, regardless of what your dream birth may look like, much of the advice remains constant.
These four bits of advice for the laboring mom-to-be are pretty universal, though the advice regarding contractions doesn’t apply to cesarean mamas.
Either way, I hope it helps you as your due date approaches!
Related: What To Wear After A C-Section
Labor advice for new moms
1. Make “healthy mom, healthy baby, happy family” your number one goal
Many moms work super hard on their birth plan which is totally great. A birth plan is a nice tool to communicate your wishes and desires to your care team. However, things in labor can change quickly, and your birth plan might be tossed aside to keep you and your baby safe.
It can feel really upsetting and disappointing when things don’t go perfectly according to your plan. While you may have hoped for a different experience, if your goal is “healthy mom, healthy baby, happy family” then your mindset might be a little different!
Instead of making a super detailed birth plan, reframe your mindset to “under the perfect circumstances, my birth wishes are …”
It may sound silly, but reframing your “birth plan” into a “birth wishes” list can help ease disappointment if things don’t go exactly to “plan.”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to do whatever the doctor says because they’re the doctor and you’re the patient. But if your provider is telling you that you need to deviate from your birth wish list to keep baby and mom healthy, it’s best to just go with the flow!
Remember, your doctors, nurses, midwives, etc. all have the same goal: keep mom and baby safe and healthy!
Related: 16 Places To Have A Baby Shower Your Guests Will Love!
2. Have a well-prepared support person
It is extremely important to have a strong support person! Whether it be your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, mom, etc., try to help that person be ready for whatever labor brings!
This is especially important now that hospitals are limiting the number of visitors allowed during your stay. Make sure whoever you choose is ready for the job!
You can help your support person be prepared by having discussions about what your perfect birth would look like, what you think you’ll need during labor, and giving them guidance about what is expected of them during labor.
For example, do you want your partner to be updating other family members or just be by your side? Should they be offering sips of water and rubbing your back?
These things might seem obvious to you as the laboring woman, but may be less obvious to your support person.
Related: 21+ Tips for Dads in the Delivery Room
3. Be honest with your care team
Being a patient can be really awkward, but it’s totally OK to communicate your wants and needs to your care team!
If you are uncomfortable with something, need help, or have a question, please do so!
Don’t feel bad asking for help repositioning so that you can speed labor along, or for some fresh ice water or heat packs. We want to help you and your needs are not an inconvenience!
4. Don’t fight contractions
It’s really easy to feel a contraction coming on and tense your body. This can actually prevent you from dilating!
Instead, let your contractions happen. When you feel one starting, try to focus on breathing in and blowing the pain out. In between contractions try to let your body totally relax.
It is extremely difficult to have control of your body when you are in so much pain. I actually struggled with it during each of my labors and births! After my second baby was born I felt like I had competed in a power-lifting competition because my muscles were so sore from being so tense.
I often coach my patients between contractions and remind them to relax their shoulders, face, arms, and back. You’ll be thankful the next day!
Many women like to visualize contractions as waves or surges that come and go. Try to visualize the contraction coming and leaving. Remember that each contraction is one step closer to meeting your baby!
And if you need something for pain relief (or you are ready for an epidural) don’t hesitate to ask!
If you’ve ever had a baby before, do you agree with my advice? What other labor advice for new moms would you add?
Leave me a comment – I love hearing from my readers!
