Like NadiaD said you will be fine. Every labour and birth is different and all the best intentions may go out the window but that doesn't mean you shouldn't plan for a great birth.
My tips are -
- Focus on what you want your birth to be like and affirm the positives. Say "I will have a natural, intervention free birth" not "I don't want a traumatic birth". Say what you want and not what you don't want.
- Have a birth plan. Keep it simple and in an easy to read format. Care providers won't read or remember a three page document. Choose the 6-8 things that are most important to you and keep it to one page. Make copies to take with you to the hospital or birthing centre.
- Make sure your support people are on the same page as you. You could do a birth plan for them that is different to the one you give the hospital. This is the document you want to put all the homey touches you would like for your birth eg soft lighting, a special doona, your birth music, what natural pain relief you want to try eg water, massage etc. These are the things that are often put in the main birth plan but the reality is the hospital staff will not have the time or resources to make these happen. It will be up to your support team so let them know what you want.
- Read about the different interventions now, at the start of your pregnancy and make notes about what you would want to do in those situations and then put them away. You will have the knowledge if you need it but from then on listen to and read positive birth experiences. You want to be in the best frame of mind to birth your babe and however well meaning, horror birth stories can impede your labour and birth. Become adept at changing the subject when somebody starts telling you about the horrors of birth. There is no benefit to you or your babe in hearing this.
- Ignore any advice you don't like, including the above
It's your birth so you can do whatever you want
Congratulations and I wish you the birth you want.
Digg
