Life
As exciting as pregnancy is, it can also come with its fair share of nerves and anxiety. This is especially true as your due date draws near. If you're nervous about going into labor, taking control and preparing yourself for labor will help immensely. Luckily, there are a few things you can do everyday that'll make your labor easier — and they're all super simple to do.
Granted, you don't have to center your entire life around preparing for labor (who has time for that?) but you can integrate these little things into your daily life to slowly prepare yourself for when the big day arrives.
Chances are you already do a lot of these things already, so adding them to your to-do list won't feel too overwhelming. But they will have a big impact on your labor. From toning your body, to getting your mind in a prepared place, to minimizing stress, each one of these six things will prepare you to go into labor and give you some much needed confidence for the day that will chance your life forever.
Labor is nothing to be terrified of — it's the most natural and beautiful thing in the world — but it can make anyone nervous. Preparing your body and your mind beforehand can ensure that your labor is an empowering and exciting experience.
1
Do Those Kegels
The American Pregnancy Association (APA) noted that kegel exercises help strengthen your pelvic floor and tone your vagina making labor easier. And the best part? You can do them literally whenever you want to, wherever you are.
2
Practice Yoga
Today's Parent noted that of all the prenatal exercises out there, yoga might be the most beneficial. It prepares the body to be upright during labor, strengthening your muscles and pelvic floor gently without overly exerting yourself. Similarly Parents explained that women who are more fit generally have shorter labors.
3
Minimize Stress
Learning to manage and eliminate stress from your life can be a huge help for preparing for labor — which can be stressful if you let it. Fit Pregnancy noted that stress during labor can cause your contractions to slow or labor to stall altogether, so learning how to stay relaxed will be in your favor when it comes time to deliver.
4
Practice Deep Breathing
In the same vein, the APA noted that "patterned breathing" during labor can be one of the most powerful tools for getting through contractions and remaining calm. Practicing before your labor starts will give you a sense of what to expect and confidence that you'll be able to remain in control and calm.
5
Get Enough Rest
Although sleep isn't always easy during pregnancy — especially as your belly gets bigger and bigger — it's vital for having a smooth pregnancy and, eventually, labor. According to Kid's Health, doing whatever you can to get enough rest will be helpful once your labor starts, instead of going into it already exhausted.
