How To Be Ready On The Day Of Delivery?
You still can’t believe it. After so much anticipation the big day is almost here. Soon you’ll be able to hold your baby. But first, you must prepare yourself for the day of delivery. Stay tuned for 12 tips!
It seems unusual, but you should slowly start finalizing the details for the day of your child’s birth. After so much waiting, your pregnancy is coming to an end. In a matter of weeks, you’ll have your baby with you.
At that precise moment, your spare time will run out. You should take advantage of this stretch of your pregnancy in order to prepare several key things before the arrival of your child.
Above all, you should try to prevent any unforeseen issues ruining the most important day of your life.
Your baby’s room, crib and your bag are just a few of the details you can’t forget to plan for.
Take note of the following advice as you reach 36 weeks of pregnancy in order to be ready on the day you go into labor.
12 tips to be ready on the day of delivery
Your bag
After the seventh month of pregnancy, you should have your bag ready with all the essential items for you and your baby.
For the baby, keep newborn diapers, wipes and baby oil. Add a pair of cotton onesies with long open sleeves in front, plus hats and socks. It wouldn’t hurt to pack a blanket and booties. You can also include creams for scrapes and for cleaning the umbilical cord.
The mother should not forget nightgowns with an opening in front to facilitate breastfeeding, a gown, slippers, high-waisted panties and postpartum belts, nursing bras, and breast pads.
In addition, marigold creams, large feminine bandages, and personal hygiene items will be helpful.
The father can pack a change of clothes, underwear, socks, pajamas, slippers and various items for his personal hygiene.
Pre-birth tests
Surely, at this stage, your gynecologist has requested a series of tests to know if you are physically able to give birth, such as blood tests and an electrocardiogram.
Do not forget to always have them on hand in case they are needed. You can even organize all the tests performed during your pregnancy into a folder.
Important documentation and useful phone numbers.
If you want to be ready on the day of delivery, always carry with you your important documents. Also carry key phone numbers, such as that of your gynecologist, the clinic, and the social work office.
Your baby’s room.
It’s time to finalize the details of the baby’s room: the crib, the changing table, and even the toys. Your child needs a comfortable space to sleep and play, so this is the time to provide them with the necessary items.
Regarding decoration, it is advisable to use warm colors, take advantage of direct natural light and maintain a comfortable temperature. Remember that placing a chair for breastfeeding can be very helpful and comfortable.
The bassinet or crib.
During the first few months, a bassinet is advised because it is smaller and, therefore, more cozy for the child. You can even use cushions or blankets to further reduce the space and thus create a warm “nest.”
Also, to avoid your baby’s discomfort due to typical gastric reflux, you can slightly tilt their crib.
Food prepared in the freezer.
Consider leaving the odd Tupperware in the freezer with food cooked in advance to be heated up on the day of delivery.
When the baby arrives, they will be the center of attention. This will allow you to save already scarce time and focus on the return home to fully enjoy your new member of the family.
Don’t forget diapers.
In order to be ready on the day of delivery, it is not enough to arm yourself with a handful of diapers. As you will see, they will go quickly.
Don’t let yourself be underprepared in any way, since diapers, baby oil, and wet wipes always have to be stocked at home and in the baby’s bag.
Sleep.
Surely nerves and anxiety make it difficult to get enough sleep. But the reality is that you must relax and rest as much as you can before the arrival of your child.
Once you meet your child, you will understand how difficult it is to fall asleep during their first few months of life.
So remember to sleep as much as you can because if you get tired, it will be even harder to carry on during those preliminary and exhausting days of adjusting to being a mother.
Practice Kegel exercises.
Train and tone the perineal muscle to increase the elasticity needed to be ready on the day of delivery. The famous Kegel exercises consist of contracting and relaxing the muscles of the perineum as if you wanted to contain and release urine.
Practice breathing techniques.
You are about to face a moment which you will need to be prepared for. If you took childbirth or motherhood classes, this is the time to review what you have learned.
Otherwise, it is time to learn the appropriate types of breathing for each stage of labor, to be able to reduce pain and relax at that important moment.
Personal hygiene.
Do you want to be ready on the day of your baby’s birth? Well, remember that fingernails and toenails should be short and polish free to avoid scratching the baby.
Take off rings, earrings, and other jewelry. Not only are they dangerous objects for your child, but also in the delivery room the entry of non-sterilized objects that may allow the risk of infection is forbidden.
Hair removal is not a requirement. It is up to the woman to decide to do it or not.
Inform your family.
The ideal time to give warning to family and friends is left to the discretion of each mother.
To alleviate the anxiety of the couple, it may be convenient to make an announcement after birth. This will avoid a long line of people waiting in the halls of the hospital during delivery.