WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Preparing for Your Baby's Birth

Childbirth
Birth preparation
Preparing for Your Baby's Birth
As your due date approaches, preparing for your baby's birth is an exciting and important part of the journey into parenthood.
By taking the time to plan and get organized, you can ensure a smooth transition into this new chapter of your life.
From creating a birth plan to assembling essential items for your baby, let's explore some key steps to help you prepare for your baby's birth.
Create a Birth Plan
  1. Research Your Options: Educate yourself about different birthing options, pain management techniques, and medical interventions. Discuss your preferences with your healthcare provider and create a birth plan that aligns with your values and desires.
  2. Outline Your Preferences: Include your preferences for pain management, labor positions, delivery environment, support people present during birth, and any specific cultural or religious considerations. Be flexible and open to adjustments as needed.
  3. Communicate Your Plan: Share your birth plan with your healthcare provider, birth team, and support persons to ensure everyone is aware of your desires and can support you effectively during labor.
Prepare Your Birth Bag
  1. Essentials for Labor: Pack items such as comfortable clothing, toiletries, snacks, water bottle, massage tools, lip balm, and any items that bring you comfort and relaxation during labor.
  2. Postpartum Needs: Include nursing bras, nursing pads, maternity pads, comfortable clothing, and toiletries for the postpartum period. Don't forget essentials for your baby, such as clothing, diapers, wipes, and a receiving blanket.
  3. Important Documents: Keep your identification, insurance information, and any necessary medical documents in a convenient and easily accessible place.
Prepare Your Home
  1. Nursery Setup: Assemble and arrange the nursery, including the crib, changing table, and storage for baby essentials. Wash and organize baby clothes, bedding, and blankets.
  2. Babyproofing: Take steps to babyproof your home by securing furniture, covering electrical outlets, and removing potential hazards. Ensure that the nursery and common areas are safe for your baby.
  3. Stock Up on Essentials: Purchase necessary supplies such as diapers, wipes, baby toiletries, formula (if needed), breastfeeding essentials, and a well-stocked pantry for postpartum recovery.
Educate Yourself and Attend Classes
  1. Childbirth Education: Enroll in childbirth education classes to learn about the stages of labor, pain management techniques, breastfeeding, newborn care, and postpartum recovery. Education empowers you with knowledge and prepares you for various aspects of childbirth and early parenthood.
  2. Newborn Care Classes: Consider attending classes or workshops that cover topics such as infant CPR, baby care basics, and breastfeeding. These classes provide valuable information and help build confidence in caring for your newborn.
Create a Support Network
  1. Find Supportive Friends and Family: Surround yourself with a network of supportive individuals who can offer guidance, assistance, and emotional support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
  2. Consider a Doula: A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during labor and childbirth. Hiring a doula can enhance your birthing experience and provide you with additional support.
  3. Join Parenting Communities: Connect with other expectant parents through prenatal classes, support groups, or online communities. Sharing experiences, concerns, and joys with others going through a similar journey can be invaluable.
Take Care of Yourself
  1. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that help you relax and reduce stress. This can include gentle exercise, prenatal yoga, meditation, reading, or spending quality time with loved ones.
  2. Rest and Sleep: Get adequate rest and prioritize sleep as much as possible. Your body needs sufficient energy and rest to support you through labor and the postpartum period.
  3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and engage in regular prenatal check-ups and exercise, as approved by your healthcare provider. Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for a healthy pregnancy and birth experience.
Learn more
Birth Essentials & Going Home
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Preparing Your Home for Baby’s Arrival
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Baby-Proof the Space
3 min read
Juliette Seblon
Midwife for 8+ years
P
Pauline
10 Oct 2023

Today at 38 weeks and 3 days I have been induced due to being diagnosed with gestational hypertension.. this was not in the cards for me! I wanted a natural birth at a birth center in a birthing pool. But here I am in a hospital and preparing to give birth. Things don’t always go as planned but I’m just hoping for a health and happy baby girl! 🌺🌺🌺 #ftm #38weeks #induction #naturalbirth #octoberbaby #librababy #babygirl

Childbirth Birth preparation
3 comments
S
Samantha
Everything will be ok momma .. wishing u a safe delivery .. u got this❤️💙
27 Mar 2024

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Pauline
Thank you! I had her at 5:06pm on 10/11!
27 Mar 2024

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C
Chloe
22 Aug 2023

Anyone experience a lot of baby hiccuping before giving birth? Lol my baby has had the hiccups quite often… I’m nervous if that means she’s ready lol I read somewhere that that’s baby preparing to breathe on their own ..so what if she’s so ready that she’s really trying to breathe on her own? 😅😂 idk just my thoughts… Also this might be tmi…but I’ve had frequent bowel movement lately and thats honestly rare for me 😅 Tell me your thoughts! 😊

Childbirth Birth preparation
6 comments
C
Chloe
Ahh okayy, thank you🙈
27 Mar 2024

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Quila
24 Jul 2023

Anyone trying for a natural birth? If so how are you mentally preparing? I watch birthing videos all day on YouTube to get some idea and strategies. Some of these births are inspiring and some are scary as hell!!

Childbirth Birth preparation
21 comments
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Paulinda
I’m definitely trying the natural way but it will still be in the hospital so basically no medicine since this will be my last child I’m having I went to a seminar but that what I should do next you tube because these classes are to much and I don’t want to pay for them
27 Mar 2024

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K
Katrice
Whew girl. Idk about the natural. I hit 5-6 cm and I will be flipping and flopping like a damn fish 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️ So yes please inform me as well!
27 Mar 2024

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V
Victoria
17 Jan 2023

Baby coming today. They preparing me for c section. Yall pray for me an baby boy. I'm so nervous. I knew he wasn't gonna wait. 😢👶💙🙏🙏🙏🙏

Childbirth Birth preparation
5 comments
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Misty
Praying for a healthy c section, mama, and baby 🙏💓🙏💓🙏
27 Mar 2024

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Misty
I'm so excited for you girly!!! Keep us updated 😍🥳🎊❤️
27 Mar 2024

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Angel
16 Jan 2023

𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢 𝟯𝟬 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 🥰..... It’s time to start preparing for the girls! My baby shower is this SUNDAY, and I’m still not prepared for it 😂😂😂 #𝗜𝗺𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗹

Childbirth Birth preparation
10 comments
M
Melissa
Your carrying great for twins😊
27 Mar 2024

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Angel
Awww thank you 🥰!! They are definitely kicking my butt tho 😂😂😂
27 Mar 2024

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B
Blocked user
2 Jan 2023

Ladies if you need hospital bag checklists for you, baby, your partner/support person click this link it has an interactive list https://www.huggies.com/en-us/resources/pregnancy/preparing-to-give-birth/how-to-make-your-hospital-bag-checklist-for-mom-dad-and-baby?gclsrc=aw.ds&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Info_Birth%26Hospital_Exact&utm_content=Ad&utm_term=what%20to%20pack%20in%20hospital%20bag%20for%20labor&maas=maas_adg_api_7140611940801_macro_1_1&ref_=aa_maas&aa_campaignid=6514427957&aa_adgroupid=78577030936&aa_creativeid=ad-611256725903_kwd-313627591104_dev-m_ext-&tag=maas&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjQZFx7Jn8TPeCqFa059KnCKm4ofQHCz6uiLT_10788dPtmlyoMLCBEaAmNpEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Childbirth Birth preparation
5 comments
A
Anna
That helps a lot thank you
27 Mar 2024

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L
Laura lopez
Dm me with your cash app
27 Mar 2024

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