Daily Short Blog #15
In preparation for labor and delivery, I have researched different methods to help me make my labor experience more tolerable and to deliver naturally as much as possible. My obstetrician instructed me few ways as well. I will be sharing all these on this short blog and hope it helps mommies who are expecting their little ones soon.
Currently, I’m on my 38 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy and I’m trying to be more active as much as possible. Here are some of the routines I do every single day:
1. Walking.
Walking is such a great exercise to promote health and well-being. My daily goal is to walk for around 15 to 30 minutes twice per day during the weekdays in between my work breaks. During the weekend, I and my husband spend around 3 to 4 hours in the mall or park which is a great time to shop for our baby’s essentials and at the same time, to walk.
2. Drinking more water.
To prevent dehydration, it’s very important to increase fluid intake especially for the scorching hot weather we have here in the Middle East. It’s truly significant to always hydrate for about 8 to 12 glasses (or more) of water every day. Water aids digestion and helps form the amniotic fluid around the fetus. Water also helps nutrients circulate in the body and helps waste leave the body.
3. Exercising using the birthing ball.
Birthing balls are essentially the same as exercise balls. A pregnant woman can start using a birth ball at any stage of pregnancy. At around 32 weeks, some gentle exercises to help with aches, pains, and getting the baby into the correct position can be performed. As a preparation for my upcoming labor and delivery, I also use this ball to help induce labor and as they say, to soften the cervix. According to my Google research, sitting on a birthing ball in neutral wide-legged positions prepares the body for labor by increasing blood flow, opening the pelvis, and encouraging cervical dilation. So, I did some circular hip rotations, rocking, and gentle bouncing.
4. Squatting.
Squats have their own benefits, not only for building strength but also for the process of pregnancy. Performing squats every day during the final weeks of pregnancy helps direct the baby into the birthing canal and into the right birthing position. In some pregnant women, this has actually resulted in the water breaking and in giving birth naturally.
5. Taking Raspberry Leaf Herbal Tea.
As prescribed by my OB, I took this herbal tea emerged in hot water for three times a day. It’s made from the leaves of the red raspberry plant. It’s historically been used in folk remedies, including as a tonic to strengthen the uterus and promote faster, healthier labor and quicker postpartum recover. Aside from these benefits, I can see that drinking this tea helped me to relieve constipation. Before, I was having difficulties passing my bowels resulting to movement every other day. But while drinking this, it resulted to more frequent and softer bowel movements without any more straining around 2 – 3 times each day.
6. Drinking pineapple juice.
It is not actually scientifically proven that drinking pineapple juice will soften the cervix nor induce labor. But, who knows right? Trying will get you nothing to lose. 🙂
7. Eating dates.
I was also instructed by my OB to start eating dates. I’ve never known about this until now. A study showed that eating 6 dates per day before due date results to softening of the cervix and a shorter first stage of labor. It has also been shown to lessen the need for oxytocin, the medication used to induce labor.
8. Performing membrane sweep.
On my 38th week check-up, my OB did a membrane sweep. It’s a procedure involving inserting gloved fingers into the cervix to loosen the amniotic sac from the uterus. I’m really not sure how effective this is but after 2 days, I seem to have lost a part (if not all) of my mucus plug, which is a jelly-like clear substance I have seen un my undies.
9. Climbing the stairs.
Walking up the stairs will naturally angle your body encouraging your baby to move lower into the pelvis. Skipping a step opens the pelvis more, allowing the baby to descend even further, putting gentle pressure on the cervix and encouraging it to thin and dilate. I have been going up and down the stairs for almost two weeks now. If I knew, I should have started earlier. But it’s never too late right?! 🙂
The Takeaway
I’m still unsure whether all these will work but I know that it’s worth trying. I and my husband are really much hoping for a natural delivery without labor-inducing medications as much as possible.
If you would follow the above routines, just make sure to stay hydrated all day every day and do not push yourself to a point where you feel tired. Listen to your body and always be careful. Also, eat health so as to meet the recommended nutritional requirement for you and your baby.
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