Ok what should I be doing to get ready???

[Jakabella]

Morning All,
So I am just short of 37 weeks (OMG where has the time gone!!) and I am wondering from your wealth of experiances WHAT should I be doing to get myself ready?? Or is it to late??

Being a first timer I really have no idea about things that ppl do to make birth easier...

I have been doing my pelvic floor exercises and i tried the perenial (spell??) massage but I must admit I hated it! I have been giving the old nipples and bit or a rub at nights (sorry TMI!!) but apart form that I am clueless!

Is there anythings that you have done that worked for you??

IM GETTING VERY EXCITED!!! YAY...

Kate xox

[SamiH]

Acupuncture!!!! I am sooooo a believer now ....
Raspberry leaf tea tincture - my first two pregs I drank the tea and it didn't seem to help regulate my contractions - had acupuncture weekly from 35 weeks and took the tincture and my labour and birth was totally natural and wonderful (yes, weird to say that ...)
Lots of walking
Rest with feet up a few times a day to make sure if labour does start, you don't go into it too tired
visualise your preferred birth ie squatting, kneeling, standing etc
try not to think too much about "pain" or pain relief options, you may not even need them!

Oh, and acupuncuture ........... did I say acupuncture ....??

Good luck!

[Jakabella]

Thanks Sami!
I will look into accupuncture - I have never had it but I know lots of ladies swear by it.
I will have a look on the weekend for some Rasberry leaf - are the tabs better than the tea? It cant do any harm can it?
I am feelig very positive about the birth and I have no worries about the pain (well at this stage anyway) I have written my borth plan and I would pref no pain relife but will take some guidance if needed - I also want to be able to move around and would love to give birth standing or squating and will def use the bath / shower!
Thanks again for your suggestions!!
Kate

[Jakabella]

what about EPO? Do I need to do that at all??

[Antheia]

If you want to use EPO, now is a good time to use it! You can use it orally and/or vaginally. I second the accupuncture as well. Also, getting in the right frame of mind. Try some relaxation/meditation.

[Jakabella]

Thanks Anthia - do i get EPO from chemist or health food shops??
I am really positive about the birth at this stage so I hope that continues!!

[Antheia]

You can get EPO from the chemist.

[Snacks]

I think you can even get EPO from the grocery store, Kate
RL tea is aparently better than the tabs (but IMO tastes YUCK!)

[BekZ]

I prefer the RL tabs because I can't be bothered to drink 6 cups per day or whatever the dosage is.

Take some quiet time eachday to visualise your baby getting ready to birth, and your cervix ripening and opening. Whilst in labor I visualise my cervix opening like a flower whilst having a contraction...seems to help.

TMI - DH and I use EPO as lube when we dtd. When I go into labour we dtd and use EPO.

Most importantly RELAX.

[Jakabella]

Thanks Anthia & Snacks - I will have a little look tonight at my supermarket - but living in a small town i willnot hold my breath!!

BekZ - I will do some visualisation tonight as I relax in bed before i go to sleep!

Thanks heaps ladies!

[queenbee]

I took EPO and RLT tabs. At exactly 40 weeks I was 2cm dilated and then induced at 40w+3d but had a 5 hour labour. I am thinking perhaps those things really helped!

Good luck with everything and meeting your little one soon

[Jakabella]

Thanks Queen Bee - Its very exciting!!
Ill def get on to the RL tabs and the EPO and see whats going to happen!!

[queenbee]

I bet. Motherhood is such an unbelievable experience. So rewarding in so many ways, good luck