What can I do to prepare for natural birth?
Hi everyone,
Today one of my students asked a great question, how she could prepare for a VBAC (vaginal birth after Caesarian). The answer starts with cardiovascular fitness (for stamina), strength in the abdominals, legs and pelvic floor. That would be the same answer regardless of whether you were having your first birth, VBAC or second natural birth. If you practice what we’ve been doing in class, say do each of the exercises on the back of the affirmation and exercise cards daily, plus add some pelvic floor exercises 3x daily and a walk or swim for exercise, that would be the best training you could be doing.
Then of course there’s the mental preparation and relaxation, which is just as important. Daily relaxation using a CD for guided relaxation of about 20 minutes is ideal. Add to this eating wisely, reducing stress and getting a good night's rest (yes, all the obvious tips) and you've got a great recipe for being as prepared as you can be.
Positioning your baby in the optimal position for birth (what's called occiput anterior) is also going to make having a natural birth that much easier. There's some great exercises and tips on this website: http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ofp.htm
In the last few weeks (from around 34 weeks) once you're confident about your baby's position, doing the squats that we have learnt in class will help your baby to engage. If you're not sure about your baby's position, you can go as often as you like to your doctor/midwife and get the position checked. (It’s your birth and your baby, and you can ask for what you need.)
Happy birthing!
Rebecca
