| While baby's rarely come when they are expected to, | | | | suppose to go and how to get there. Take a tour of |
| and they sometimes decide to arrive at the worst | | | | the place where you are going to give birth, and know |
| moment, simple planning steps can help to reduce the | | | | where you will need to go upon arrival; this will help to |
| rush and confusion that is sometimes accompanied by | | | | eliminate any confusion for you or your partner on the |
| a baby's arrival. Planning for the birth of your baby | | | | big day. |
| should include preparing your body and mind for the | | | | Other aspects of your birth should be planned in |
| labor, preparing for where the birth is to take place and | | | | advance as well. Do you want certain music playing |
| getting everything you will need together, and making | | | | during the birth? If so have a little portable stereo and |
| sure that the home and nursery are ready for the | | | | the music ready to go. Do you want pictures of the |
| baby's arrival. | | | | birth or video? Are there any people that you want |
| Getting Your Body And Mind Ready For Labor | | | | with you when you are in labor? If you will be staying |
| Preparing your body and mental state for the rigors | | | | at a hospital, pack a bag with baby necessities that |
| ahead of time will help you, and your baby, to get | | | | you and your baby will need; do not expect the |
| through the labor process with a minimal amount of | | | | hospital to provide everything you need. Some of the |
| stress; you will also recover from your labor in less | | | | items you will need are comfortable pajamas, socks, |
| time and with less pain. Learn as much as you can | | | | hygienic items, a brush, lotion, diapers, and baby clothes. |
| about what your body will go through during the labor; | | | | Prepare Your Home And Car For Baby's Arrival |
| the more you know the more prepared you will be for | | | | When your baby arrives, you should only need to |
| the changes that your body experiences during labor. | | | | concentrate on caring for the baby. Trips to the store |
| An exercise routine will strengthen your body and | | | | and grocery shops should not be your main concern. |
| keep you in shape for you and your baby's big day. | | | | To help reduce post-baby stress, have your home and |
| Mentally prepare for your labor by learning relaxation | | | | car ready for the baby a few weeks before the |
| techniques that may help during the labor process. For | | | | baby's arrival. You will need a lot of baby clothes, |
| example, positive visualization and breathing techniques | | | | diapers, cleaning cloths, and a comfortable sleeping |
| are some of the methods you can use to stay | | | | area for the baby like a crib or bassinet. |
| focused during your labor. | | | | Anything that will help to reduce your stress levels |
| Know What Type Of Birth You Want, And Where | | | | when you come home with the baby should be taken |
| Your Want To Have Your Baby | | | | into consideration. Try to keep the home clean, place |
| Most women today have their baby in a hospital, and it | | | | fresh sheets and blankets on the bed, and have a |
| is arranged ahead of time with their physician as to | | | | refrigerator and freezer stocked full of easy to |
| which hospital they are going to go to. Some women | | | | prepare meals. If you have animals you may want to |
| also opt to have their baby at home, or in a birth | | | | arrange to have a pet sitter care for the animals |
| center. Wherever you decide to have your baby, plan | | | | before, and for a period of time after, the birth. |
| it ahead of time. Do you want to have your baby | | | | Arrange your ride home before the labor. If you need |
| naturally, or do you want pain control? Draw a map to | | | | to take a cab home or someone is picking you up, |
| your birthing place, keep it on you at all times, and | | | | have the number that you need ready along with the |
| practice driving the routes at least a few times; stress | | | | baby car seat. If you are taking your car home, clean |
| can do amazing things to our minds, and some frantic | | | | the car out, have the car seat already in the car, and |
| new mothers have experienced complete amnesia | | | | bring plenty of light blankets to make the baby as |
| when they go into labor and forgot where they were | | | | comfortable as possible. |