How to prepare for childbirth in the last weeks

How can you prepare for childbirth in the last weeks of pregnancy? Here is a small guide with some suggestions to follow to arrive at childbirth prepared and face it more calmly.

When the word “childbirth” is pronounced to pregnant women, they usually fall into two main groups. There are those who prefer not to think about it until it happens, and those who instead choose to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the big event, to try to keep everything under control but also to experience it in the best possible way.

What to do at 34 weeks

The preparation and the time you can devote to it depend a lot on whether you are on maternity leave or will continue to work until giving birth. If you work you will have to plan as much as possible to carve out the space necessary for preparation. If you work and start to feel so tired, evaluate the possibility of being able to stop earlier to dedicate the right amount of time.

• Plan your pregnancy planner and make a list of everything you need to do before giving birth.
• Take the luxury of going to bed early some nights to practice the relaxation techniques your midwife taught you in your prenatal class.
• If breastfeeding training and understanding how it works is offered in your area, attend so you can be as prepared as possible when it’s time to breastfeed your baby.
• Have your midwife teach you how to perform perineal massage so you can practice it at home. Several studies suggest that a perineal massage done daily for the last six weeks of pregnancy can help prevent labor injuries.
• Continue to make physical movement, following the courses for pregnant women in the pool for example, to keep the muscles toned.
• Use visualization techniques to communicate with your child
• Eat iron-rich foods to prevent anemia
• Ask your trusted herbalist about raspberry leaves. Raspberry leaf extracts to be taken for example in the form of herbal teas, are rich in vitamin C, help to tone the uterus and ripen the cervix.

What to do at 35 weeks

• Do pelvic floor exercises every day
• Continue to do light exercise every day: swimming, yoga , walking, stretching, all in very moderate form.

What to do at 36 weeks

Many women arrive tired this week. In fact, pregnancy is starting to take its toll: you feel tired, you sleep badly… and you would love to put the clock forward a couple of weeks. Anxiety also increases. Try to relax perhaps with the help of a massage and let yourself be pampered.

• From 36 weeks you could follow acupuncture sessions. Some studies have shown that acupuncture can reduce the likelihood of giving birth after the expected date and increase the chances of having a faster and easier delivery (everyone’s dream).
• Complete the purchases for your child  and if you don’t feel like going around too much, take advantage of the online shopping opportunity.
• If you haven’t stopped working yet, consider doing so
• Take the time to prepare yourself emotionally and psychologically not only for the birth but for motherhood in general that will last your whole life
• Do something you enjoy every day and savor these last few days before your baby is born

What to do at 37 weeks

Childbirth is approaching, anxiety increases and to cope with it continue with your relaxation exercises.

• If you have started acupuncture continue to participate in the sessions
• Give space to rest because you need to recover energy. If you lie down, keep your legs up with the help of a pillow. If you are sitting, try to rest your legs on a chair to always keep them up. Go to bed early!
• Continue with the light exercises
• Try to take care of the diet which must be rich in vitamin C and zinc. In fact, these two nutrients are both important for hormone production before childbirth.
• Have you packed your suitcase for the birth ? If you haven’t already done so, now is the time!

What to do at 38 weeks

It doesn’t miss much and often at this juncture it is recommended to increase the intake of carbohydrates to maintain good energy supplies that will be needed to face the birth. Calcium-rich foods and magnesium are also important.

• Continue with the acupuncture
• You can prepare yourself for a natural birth with some natural remedies. Ask your midwife for advice. Here the advice of the midwife to facilitate childbirth in a natural way
• Read the 4 stages of childbirth which explains well what will happen

What to do at 39 weeks

• Increase your intake of foods containing coenzyme Q10 . Sources of this element are broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, strawberries, meat and fish such as herring and salmon.
• Also eat foods naturally rich in vitamin K which is important for blood clotting and also needed by your baby who cannot produce it independently until several weeks after birth.
• Continue with your acupuncture sessions
• Try to spend pleasant and leisure moments with your partner

What to do at 40 weeks

Here we are now!

You can continue your usual acupuncture sessions: they will probably be the last!

Try to be positive and proactive. Labor if handled in the right way is an incredible event that enriches a woman’s life.

Firmly believe in your abilities to face the birth and give birth to your baby.