Natural Birth

How to prepare yourself physically and mentally and what your partner can do to help:

It is not necessary to read as much as you can, a lot of books are very confusing.

Important is to take enough time to rest, go to bed early, or have a lunchtime nap.

Make sure your body is fit; use your muscles in a relaxed way. Practice some yoga, go for a walk, a swim or a bike ride.

Eat healthy food and again drink heaps of water.

Try a few positions in which you feel comfortable even with backache. 1) backwards over a chair. 2) leaning over a table and swinging with your hips. 3) on hands and knees on the floor.

Try a massage, or ask your partner, mother or friend to massage your back.

Think about if you like special music for relaxation.

Tell us if your house can be difficult for us to find. Draw a little map, if necessary.

Think about who you would like to have around when you are in labour. Mostly it isn’t very good for your concentration if there are too many people around.

Make sure you have everything at home what you think to use for early labour:

barley sugar or sports drink for extra energy

Wheat pack or hot water bottle

Massage oil

Pillows

Some old towels or sheets

An extra heater for your living or bedroom

A little stool or plastic chair if you like to sit under the shower for a long time

If you like, prepare your photo or video camera

Have everything ready for your baby. You will need baby clothes, nappies, sleeping bag or blanket etc.