Not prepared

I'm in the same boat. Not feeling prepared at all and due on the 4th October. We got an exercise ball but I haven't used it once😅 there's loads of free online courses to prepare for birth - do you have a birth plan? Even just in your head, not written down.

I would look into perineal massage as 9 women in 10 tear and although it’s almost impossible to not tear, massaging the area can help and reduce the degree of tearing. And do some hip opening, pelvic exercises Look into breathing exercises to cope with labour pains Everything else (teas, pineapple eating etc) has little to do with successful birth in my opinion but I’m sure some people will disagree with me :)

You don’t really need an exercise ball and there is likely to be one in your room for labour. I did drink any raspberry tea and went into labour on my own. The best thing you can do is keep calm and lots of walking to bring on labour yourself if you can. Be as positive as you can throughout labour.

Also not prepared at all had 36 week midwife appointment today realised it is just around the corner! Panic slightly set in. I’m having a C section so don’t really need to do the stuff you mentioned but massively hit him I don’t have long at all!! 😂😂 this is typical me though last minute everything. Doesn’t help I’m still working full time! But let’s try not to stress will do more harm than good! Just do what you can from now on 😘😘

I meaann do you feel like being more prepared would make you calmer for birth? If no, don't worry about it! Ignorance is bliss ☺️ If yes, then order the ball and tea on amazon, look up the positive birth company youtube to watch old streams for free, start peroneal massage (if you want to it's not compulsory) and you'll be golden. All of those things you can sort out/start in 1-2 days

i’m with you! i think it just depends on what kind of person you are. there’s nothing wrong with it, so i wouldn’t look at it negatively. i’m due on the 8th but i’m a a lot more of a go-with-the-flow kinda person, and trying to overly prepare for things just stresses me out and causes me more anxiety if i was just to wing certain situations. i think there’s an element of preparation which is definitely needed, and would be good to understand the process of labour and options that are available to you - but if you haven’t had any raspberry tea, or haven’t been using an exercise ball, i wouldn’t worry (i haven’t either). ❤️❤️

Ignorance is definitely not bliss! I did 0 research, no antenatal classes, and nothing at all to prepare myself for birth or labour. It was the most traumatic labour and birth, I didn't know any breathing techniques or how to push and ended up tearing so badly that I couldn't have another vaginal birth. I'm not trying to scare anyone or be down about things, I know we're all different, but from my own personal experience, do at least some research! I agree to being open-minded about how you want labour to go, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to go in completely blind. Also it's my birthday on the 2nd October ☺️

Due date twins ☺️ also I went into labour very early last time without being prepared, hadn't read a thing and I was absolutely fine.