Preparing for labour

Preparing for birth

How you can prepare

Now's the time to think about writing your birth plan. No matter what kind of delivery you have in mind, a written birth plan is a really good idea. If nothing else, it encourages you to find the time to research and discuss your options in detail with your birth partner and midwife. Ultimately, this means you'll be better prepared when the big day arrives. Just bear in mind that your baby won’t have read your birth plan, so you’ll need to remain flexible on the day!

It's also a good idea to take a tour of the hospital and birth facilities as part of your antenatal preparation. There's no harm in familiarising yourself with where it's all going to happen on the day. If you have any questions about the birth, our team of experienced mums and a midwife can help – give them a call on 0800 996 1000.

Just checking up on you

In routine pregnancies, your antenatal appointments may be every two weeks from week 36 until delivery. During these appointments, the doctor or midwife will continue to check the size and height of your uterus to be certain your baby is growing appropriately. Your blood pressure will be checked, as well as your urine for signs of infection, sugar and protein.

Also, as the due date approaches, your baby's position will be noted. If, for example, your baby is in the bottom-first breech presentation, an appointment will be made for you to see your consultant obstetrician. If your baby stays in the breech presentation after 35 weeks it is more unlikely that the baby will turn on its own, so you will need to discuss your delivery preferences including caesarean section along with your options for trying to turn your baby round so that the head is downwards. This is called External Cephalic Version (ECV) and is gaining popularity with some hospital units. Although it’s good to be informed about your options and make your preferences known, ultimately it is your doctor who will make the decision on which delivery option is best for your baby at the time of the birth.

How your body is preparing

As you approach your due date, your body really starts getting ready. Vaginal discharge and mucous may have increased. You may also experience more Braxton Hicks contractions. Often known as "false labour", Braxton Hicks are uterine contractions. They tighten and relax periodically and can occur throughout pregnancy, becoming more noticeable in the later stages. They are irregular, can last for a few hours, but always stop. They tend not to be as long as a true labour contraction which will increase in intensity, frequency, and duration.

As your uterus is no longer pressing on your diaphragm towards the latter stages, you should start to find it easier to breathe. However, as your uterus is instead pushing on your bladder, you may have the urge to go running off to the bathroom every two minutes.

Try to be patient

The home stretch may seem like a long haul with no end in sight. Keep in mind your baby's due date is only an estimate - birth is just as likely to occur 14 days either side of that. In fact only around 5% of babies are actually born on their due date. Be good to yourself and try to relax. Just think about the poor elephant - she is pregnant for 23 months!

Your midwife may suggest induction if pregnancy has continued long enough. Some women welcome this, while others want to avoid it. Be sure to make your wishes known; including them in your birth plan is a good idea. If your baby hasn't arrived by 40 weeks, your doctor will be informed and will set an induction date - usually for just before 42 weeks - which will be cancelled if your baby arrives before then.

Remember, our team is here if you want to talk things through. You can reach them on
0800 996 1000.