Preparing for Baby's Arrival and a Natural Birth
Dress: Amazon // Shoes: Sarah Flint // Earrings: Ettika
For the past few weeks, I’ve had major baby brain. I’m eight months pregnant and we are counting down to delivery at this point. We’ve elected in this pregnancy to deliver the baby naturally with a midwife instead of a hospital birth. It’s been such a better experience than meeting with an OBGYN. Our midwife has longer conversations with us, explains every single test or procedure, and gives us options. It’s a freedom I did not know was possible! As we prepare this final month I thought I would share a few things that are going to ease the delivery and make the experience the most successful possible.
Supplements and Vitamins
I’m currently taking collagen, a prenatal vitamin with at least 800% mcg of folate and iron. I recently added in Alfalfa per the direction of my midwife. This week I began taking Dr. Christopher’s Birth Prep Formula which helps the body maintain elasticity and prepare for the baby to arrive. It also helps tone the uterus! All of these were directed by my midwife. Taking supplements and making sure I get enough nutrients in my diet has been key during this pregnancy. Another thing I shifted was the amount of natural iron I intake. I now have spinach twice a day (in the morning in an omelet) and at lunch (in a turkey wrap).
Skincare and Massage
Another key activity that I highly recommend is using belly butter and oil for your skin. The skin starts stretching at a more rapid rate and I’m now applying Bio-oil twice a day and then belly butter before bedtime on my stomach and chest. This helps the skin’s elasticity and eases the itching that comes from stretching. Another recommendation from the midwife and several others was to do a perineum massage with Vitamin E oil. I recommend the Frida pushing wand to help if you are struggling to reach. Not the kind you would buy in the makeup section, but instead the body oil version.
Nursery Prep
We had an incredible couples shower last weekend and are so grateful to our friends and family who could make it. Since the shower, we put together this incredible rocker and we have a bassinette for the early weeks and months that will live in our room. Our next step is to assemble the car seat and stroller so we can bring baby home after delivery. In the next few weeks, I’ll start stocking up on more diapers, and burp cloths and grab a few receiving blankets. Since I’m choosing to breastfeed, we don’t need a plethora of formula but will grab a hands-free pump and a few bottles along the way. We also received a diaper genie (highly recommend) and a pack-n-play that will come in handy as we travel! My recommendation is to keep it simple with baby things and choose items that will grow with them! Baby stuff multiplies so quickly.
Birth Plan
When it comes to strategy and plans I find the simpler the better. I like to look at a plan as a framework. Our birth plan includes waiting to go to the birthing center when my contractions are 5 minutes or less apart and one minute long. Then, once we get there and I’m dilated 7-8 centimeters I’ll hop in the tub. Once I hit the full ten I’ll push and have our midwife deliver. I’m also electing to use acupuncture on Week 38 to speed up delivery and induce. After we have the baby, I’ll take a herbal bath and then we go home a few hours later. Very very different from the hospital where they keep and monitor you for days before leaving. Looking forward to this change of pace. I’m allowed to bring whatever food I’d like to eat during labor, candles, music, and anything to help me and Marshall relax.
Communication with Your Partner
I think the best way that Marshall and I have been preparing is to be in good communication. He’s supported me in every single visit to the midwife and we’ve talked all along the way about what to expect, our desires, how to help, and what life will look like after the baby arrives. I am so grateful for him and believe that open communication fosters a better life. We cannot wait to meet our little nugget and have both subscribed all along the way to The Bump for email updates weekly! As my body and emotions have changed I’ve tried to tell him what’s going on with me so he’s not left scratching his head or in the dark. Highly recommend having daily conversations about your baby together so that you are on the same page!
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Finally reached 39 weeks today and I cannot tell you how excited I am about meeting my baby boy. The past two weeks have been full of nesting and finishing up a few last-minute things before his arrival. I figured it would be fun to share what I’ve been wearing lately. Not a single item in any of these posts is maternity wear. All of them are regular women’s clothing that I’ve sized up to allow room for the bump. I found that it was more practical for me to stick to a lot of my traditional silhouettes that flatter my body type, but by going up a size I had extra room in the belly. Hope you enjoy this little round-up and stay tuned for our upcoming birth announcement!