Labor + Postpartum Essentials
Prep + Essentials
Hey there, Mamas! This one is for you. My hope is that this list serves as a sort of easy button to get through this huge transition period for you and bebe.
Please keep in mind while going through this that each mama will have a completely different & individualized birth + postpartum experience. I chose to have 2 homebirths & exclusively breastfeed. I personally breastfeed on demand because it works well for my life & we decide to co-sleep with our sweet little ones for the first year or so. With a very relaxed approach to newborn sleep. This allows me to optimize my sleep as well. So important after birth and introducing a new baby to the family.
Much of this stems from my own mama point of view and experience!
Soooo let’s jump right into it! I hope it is helpful in some form or another.
Labor
When I was pregnant with my first child at 24, I realized I never gave much thought to how I was going to give birth. After embarking on a more naturally minded lifestyle, my husband and I went to a nearby birth center to take a tour and check out the services and facilities provided. The nurse that helped us was so lovely, but the experience made me uneasy. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Shortly afterwards, I slowly started getting plugged into some local mom groups and heard several times this term ‘homebirth’. Instantly, I was intrigued! What does this entail? Will my husband get on board? Emergencies? So, I scheduled an interview with a highly recommended midwife, visited & adored her, got home and my husband said “okay, sooo we are going with her right?”. Suddenly realizing that this is exactly the route we would love to take!! My ideal was low to zero intervention, natural + unmedicated vaginal delivery & I felt that the best way to achieve those results was to birth right there at home. Knowing full well that my midwife would have my best interest in mind in case of an emergency situation. If you’re wanting to learn more, take a moment to watch the documentary The Business of Being Born so good to watch with your husband. Or just chat up your local mom groups or midwives.
** Also, disclaimer, I am in full support of women birthing their babies where they are fully comfortable! Wild, home, birth-center or hospital!
First, decide how you want YOUR birthing experience to look & what you prioritize. Then spend time finding a provider that is a great fit! The most wonderful thing about this relationship is to always remember that YOU are hiring this care provider, and if you don’t jive, YOU can fire & find someone new who aligns more clearly with your desires. I personally know women who have changed providers at 37 & 38 weeks pregnant. It is absolutely doable + up to you and how you want your child to be brought earth side.
*labor prep tips
Preparing your mind to endure labor and give birth is the next step. In both pregnancies I took the time to listen to podcasts surrounding homebirth experiences, read a couple of books, watched birth videos available on Instagram + YouTube and most importantly - talk to your matriarch. How did your mother, mother-in-law, grandmother before you give birth? And definitely chat with mamas who have experienced the childbirth experience you desire!
The Happy Homebirth podcast provided a variety of examples for how each unique woman can have their individual birth experience & desire right at home. There are several podcasts that are geared towards homebirth!
My favorite read was Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
I began to drink organic red raspberry leaf tea + other herbs consistently around 32-33 weeks pregnant. This helps to strengthen and tone your uterus, also strengthening your pelvic muscles that are used during labor. I put 4 or 5 Traditional Medicinals or Earth Mama organic ‘third trimester tea’ blend tea bags into a half gallon mason jar to steep for aprox. 15 mins. Adding a bit of honey + sometimes squeezed lemon. This would last me about 2-3 days, and I enjoyed it both hot & cold!
Red Raspberry Leaf — https://a.co/d/3pNHJ63
Third Trimester Tea blend — https://a.co/d/0reVrto
Stretching & encouraging your body to open. Lots of hip opening movement, stair climbing and stretching leading up to labor to help my body prepare for holding itself and go through a strenuous experience.
My pelvic floor therapist has easy and comprehensive movement videos posted on her YouTube channel.
https://youtube.com/@PelvicRootsPhysicalTherapy?si=IdlzosXnjvNfZnQ5
Chiropractic care is essential for labor prep in my opinion. Studies show amazing results utilizing chiropractic during pregnancy, including decreased labor times, decreased need for pain medications, decreased pain during pregnancy, and increased space for baby during pregnancy. Find a doctor specialized in the Webster Technique to help your body & baby stay in optimal position for a successful delivery!
During labor keep on hand things that will provide energy. It is a lot of work to get your baby here and will require lots of energy as it drains your mineral stores. Having things on hand such as honey sticks, electrolytes, beef sticks, smoothies, etc will help keep you going.
Postpartum
This topic is so near and dear to my heart. The postpartum mother. A truly sacred & vulnerable time to endure. Caring for your postpartum body is important in nourishing your physical & mental health as well as being able to provide your best care for your newborn baby. Otherwise known as the 4th trimester, the 3 months following birth should be taken very easy.. your whole life just changed and everything else can simply wait.
I have a blog post dedicated to having a plan, Postpartum Recovery Plan, but will make an additional list here.
*postpartum prep tips
Probably the most important part of postpartum recovery is having a village of people to rally behind you.
Have your partner take off work, for as much time available, to help assist you in your healing journey & adapt to a larger family unit.
Utilize your friends and family. Leaning on them during this time will be crucial. Chances are most women in your life have experienced what you’re going through and will be more than happy giving time to work up a meal, stop by to help with a chore, walk your dog or do a grocery run. Don’t be shy in asking for what you need! If no one has offered to create a meal train… phone a friend! If you need to get fresh air and coffee with a buddy, ask them! Having an emotionally hard day and just need to be heard, invite someone over to hold space for you. Ideally your support system will know how to best support you, but you are responsible for expressing what is needed.
Beyond your partner & knit community, think of other resources. Your midwife, lactation consultant, postpartum doula, pelvic floor therapist (you may not have access to all of these & that’s okay but take advantage of what is available). There are so many questions in each stage, that it’d be wise to go directly to these trusted people, chances are you will get a much more loving and specific to your situation answer than if you turn to the internet.
Something I did this time, that I did not do last pregnancy, was prepare and stock my freezer with meals! This is brilliant and can help alleviate the stress of wondering what’s for dinner? find more here Stocking the Freezer & Pantry for Baby #2
Self-care is an important priority during this time. You are tired, stinky, hormonal and it’s tough out there, mama! Take some time out of your day to find a little joy in a chocolate snack or a nourishing cozy drink. Having things on hand like your favorite lip balm, sugar scrub, moisturizer, books, comfy loungewear, etc is going to be worth it!
Things that I love having to make me feel human are:
Tallow Balm made locally in NWA by Steph. It is so beautiful and luxurious. Truly my favorite skin care product.
Chocolate my absolute favorite to indulge in.
large water bottle. You’re going to be a very thirsty mama.
afterease helps with those after birth pains/contractions of the uterus
homeopathies such as arnica Montana can help ease the aches and soreness.
Supplements that I deem important I keep nearby
And of course, the not so glamourous items that will help you in your healing journey, the toilet station. I use a cute woven basket filled with these items:
organic cotton pads & disposable underwear - expect to bleed for several weeks after birth. having these on hand are so easy.
perineal spray - you are going to want anything + everything to help soothe your lady bits.
tucks cooling pads - so nice to tuck this right into your diaper/pad while healing. especially if you endure afterbirth hemorrhoids.
peri bottle - using toilet paper is not the move. These bottles are so easy to clean yourself!!
Breastfeeding essentials
organic cotton maternity bra is so comfortable & essential for easy access to the milk makers.
I found the haaka to be a lifesaver when my daughter & son struggled with tongue and lip ties and crucial when I needed help with my let down.
this nipple butter was helpful while still learning how to breastfeed. it helped create a soothing barrier.
I loved using a nursing pillow from Snuggle Me Organic it supported me and babe so well. I used it as back support in bed and also as knee support while laying down long after my breastfeeding journey
keep happy ducts tincture & sunflower lecithin on hand to make sure that any clogged ducts are dealt with.
I genuinely hope this can act as a thorough + comprehensive guide that you can reference many times whether it’s your first baby or not!
You’ve got this mama!
“May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.”
- Numbers 6:25
Until next time!
- Mo