How can I prepare for birth and being a parent?
There are many things you can do to prepare for giving birth. Understand how your body works and focus on what will comfort you and help you cope. Remember to relax – you can do this!
There are some things you may want to think about.
Antenatal classes
Taking antenatal classes can be a great way of understanding more about labour and birth, how to prepare and to think about where to have your baby. Classes are available both through the NHS and privately.
Visit the NHS antenatal and hypnobirthing classes for more information.
Talk to your midwife about what antenatal classes are on offer for you.
Environment
Being in a peaceful environment with low levels of light is preferable as it helps to ensure the hormones that help you give birth will continue to be released. Think about how you can create this environment, wherever you choose to have your baby.
Active birth
Keeping active during labour is a great way of feeling more comfortable. There are a range of positions you might find to help you better manage your contractions.
From controlled breathing to gentle exercise, such as movements and swaying – you don’t have to stay in one spot.
Classes such as pregnancy yoga, pilates or aquanatal classes may help you prepare. There was a little more about this on our “how do I stay healthy during pregnancy” page.
Hypnobirthing
This is a method of pain management that involves visualisation, relaxation, and deep-breathing techniques. Many people find it helps them manage contractions.
Classes, downloads, and apps are available to teach you the techniques.
Talk to your baby
Babies start to learn even before they are born and can hear your heartbeat. From 23 weeks, they can hear sounds outside your body. Start talking, reading or singing to your baby whilst they are in your belly, it will help you bond and they will recognise you when they are born. The same goes for other ‘special’ people in their lives. Visit our top ten tips for talking to babies.
What to pack in your bag
As you start getting ready to give birth to your baby, you’ll want to think about packing your bag. Even if you are giving birth at home, we recommend having a bag packed just in case you need anything in a hurry.
Keep your maternity notes and important numbers close by – in your handbag, in your phone, or anywhere that you or those you live with can find. We recommend having the following numbers to hand:
- Your chosen hospital maternity service provider and/or midwife.
- Your birth partner/s.
- Your hospital reference number – which should be in your notes already.
Have your bag ready at least two weeks before your due date. Here is a suggested packing list.
For labour:
- Birth plan, if you’ve made one.
- Two comfy, loose outfits for labour – a nighty or big t-shirts are perfect.
- Chill out kit – books, magazine, music or podcasts – for the early stages.
- A phone or camera and its charger.
- Healthy snacks and drinks.
- Your own pillow – possibly pregnancy pillow if you have one.
- A TENS machine and batteries – if you want to use one and your hospital
- doesn’t have one. See our ‘what are my choices’ page.
- Any medication you are taking – including nicotine replacement.
- Wash bag and toiletries.
- Hypnobirthing aids – if you are doing this.
For after labour:
- Two packs of large maternity pads.
- Comfy / disposable knickers.
- Comfy / nursing bras.
- Two towels.
- Dressing gown.
- Slippers or flip flops.
- Two comfy outfits / pyjamas.
For feeding your baby:
- Plenty of breast pads.
- Three front opening nighties or pyjama tops – great for skin-to-skin.
- A formula “starter pack” – if you are planning to formular feed – which is a pack of six bottles that already contain readymade formula and are sterilised and sealed.
For your baby:
- Four baby grows.
- Four vests.
- A hat.
- Scratch mittens.
- Socks.
- Plenty of nappes (six-eight for 24 hours)
- Muslin squares.
- Baby wipes and cotton wool.
- Outfit for going home.
- Car seat.
For your birth partner:
- Snacks.
- Some cash – for refreshments or parking.
- A book or something to keep them entertained – for quieter moments.
- Comfy clothes.
- A toothbrush and toothpaste.
- A pillow and small blanket.
- Family and friend numbers to stay in contact with people.
Think about how you will feed your baby
Deciding how to feed your baby is a decision that can be influenced by many different events and experiences.
You will have the chance to discuss the different options available and we’d encourage you to decide based on the best available information – rather than hearsay. You need to feel comfortable and happy with the decision about how you feed your baby.
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you’re going to feed your baby – but you do not have to make up your mind until your baby is born.
Do you know someone who has breastfed?
If yes – what are your own thoughts about this as the way to feed your baby?
If no – what do you know or feel about breastfeeding?
How you choose to feed your baby is for you to decide. The World Health Organisation and the Department of Health recommend exclusively breastfeeding your baby for the first 6 months. This is because there are so many benefits to breastfeeding.
Regardless of the method of feeding your baby, we encourage all parents to understand why expressing breastmilk by hand is so important. If you have given birth, your breasts will still produce milk and you may well need to express milk for your own comfort.
We’d encourage you to contact your infant feeding team if you have any questions about feeding your baby before or after they’ve arrived
Skin-to-skin contact
We’d recommend having skin-to-skin on your birth plan. This is when you hold your baby – naked or dressed only in a nappy – against your skin, usually under your top or a blanket.
Skin-to-skin has lots of benefits:
- It helps to regulate your baby’s body temperature.
- It helps to stabilise your baby’s heart rate and breathing.
- It helps to calm your baby.
- It helps to support your baby’s immune system by the passage of your own beneficial skin bacteria.
- It helps to initiate breastfeeding.
Having skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after you have given birth will help to keep them warm, calm, steady their breathing and allow them to adjust to the outside world. This should last at least until after the first feed but for at least an hour. If skin-to-skin for at least an hour isn’t possible immediately at birth or is interrupted, then start and maintain skin-to-skin as soon as possible.
If your baby is delivered by caesarean, you should still be able to have skin-to-skin contact with your baby straight after delivery.
Skin-to-skin contact is good at any time. It can be a bonding experience for you and your baby.
The way you parent your baby can have a long-term impact on them. When babies are brought up in loving, nurturing environments, they are more likely to become confident and secure adults. It’s important to think about your babies needs for closeness, comfort, and love. Skin-to-skin will not make your baby spoilt or clingy – it will have positive impact that will last their lifetime.
