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15 Tips for Easy Labour and Delivery
Childbirth is an important milestone in a mother's life. The mother must be calm and free of stress, for effortless labour and normal delivery of the baby. Here are a few simple tips that can help during the period of pregnancy and labour.
How to Make Labour and Normal Delivery Easier
1. Have Dates
Studies have shown that eating dates is beneficial for having an easier and faster labour experience. Eating around 60 to 80 grams of dates every day around a month before the due date has been proven to be beneficial during labour. This is because dates are supposed to have a chemical compound similar to oxytocin, the hormone that causes contractions. Dates have also been proven to dilate the cervix and thus help in undergoing an effortless and quick childbirth process.
2. Do Squats Daily
Squats is the most beneficial exercise for every woman preparing for a vaginal delivery close to her due date. Due to its role in facilitating smoother deliveries, squats are considered to be the best exercise for easy labour. The best way to do squats is by using a medicine ball, keeping it between the lower back and the wall and rotating the toes and knees as wide apart as possible. It is recommended to do 15 squats daily in this position for expecting mothers to have a great delivery experience.
3. Sleep Adequately and Regularly
Among all the tips on how to make labour easier and faster, this is the easiest one to follow and is the most effective. As discussed earlier, such a stressful and important event like labour requires the pregnant woman to be calm. Only a well and adequately rested person can adapt to such a scenario seamlessly. An expecting mother should sleep at least seven hours or more every day for a faster and smoother labour experience. The sleeping experience can be enhanced with soft, skin-friendly pillows and recliner beds for the comfort of the mother and the child.
4. Consider Water Birth
This can be an effective birthing technique as water can soothe the expecting mother down during labour. Water is also supposed to calm tense muscles and help in the dilation of the cervix; thus, helping with the delivery. This is the reason why most of the major hospitals have birthing pools and tubs for water births. This is also considered to be a good way to help the baby transition to the outside world.
5. Stay Upright During Labour
Rather than lying down and trying to push during labour, it is better to stay upright on the bed and push. This is because gravity can be advantageous to the mother and the baby as it can help the baby get in the right position for the delivery. A variety of positions can also be tried out, like kneeling, squatting, and standing to see what gives the best results during labour. Movement of the body also helps widen the pelvis helping the baby’s head to pass through easily.
6. Healthy Snacking
When you're in the early stages of labour, you may feel hungry, and you can eat light snacks to curb your hunger pangs. Avoid eating oily or fatty food as it can give you not only heartburn but also hinder the process of childbirth. You can eat fruits like bananas or apples and other snacks like yoghurt, smoothies, etc. to boost your energy during labour. These foods are also beneficial if you have an emergency c-section.
7. Take a Childbirth Class
Pregnancy is a mentally and physically taxing period for expecting parents as they have to learn a lot of new things and understand the responsibilities of parenting. Hence, it is always good to be prepared for the moment of childbirth well in advance to make sure everything goes according to the plan. A childbirth class also relieves the pressure that can be faced by expecting parents and helps the partners or caretakers of pregnant women to be prepared for everything right from the water-breaking to the cutting of the umbilical cord. A childbirth class can also be beneficial in providing easy labour tips to make the whole process simpler and faster.
8. Practice Breathing Techniques
Labour can be an extremely painful experience for any woman. Breathing helps the woman in labour to tolerate the pain and also helps in relaxing her. It can also be useful in setting rhythmic contractions and help the woman to push better and more efficiently. Breathing ensures that the body has enough oxygen and the mother does not pass out due to the tremendous labour pain and cramps that she is experiencing due to her contractions.
9. Have a Good Support Team
In the stressful situation of labour, every mother should be accompanied by her partner to give support and positive reaffirmations for a better result. It has also been noticed that women in labour who have a doula (a woman trained to support women in labour) are less likely to require epidural or C-sections and experience a seamless and smooth delivery. The doulas need to be interviewed so that a woman who is comfortable with the couple is selected to comfort the couple during this intimate and beautiful moment.
10. Discuss the Process of Childbirth
While you may have read a lot of books on labour and delivery, it is a good idea to discuss the process of childbirth with your doctor and come up with a birthing plan. A birthing plan for you would depend on various factors like the position of the baby, your physical condition, whether you want to take pain medication during labour, etc. There is a possibility of your plan changing during labour due to unforeseen reasons, but it can be comforting to have one. It will also help new parents understand the process of childbirth and ask any questions they might have.
11. Distract Yourself
The process of labour of a first-time mother is a time-consuming affair, and it can take anywhere between 12 to 15 hours to give birth. Breathing in and out rhythmically and trying to get contractions throughout this period can wear out the mother. It is better to try out something else that can be distracting and relaxing for the woman, like taking a shower or listening to music. This can dramatically help in speeding things up and provide an easier delivery experience.
12. Ask for a Massage
It would be great for a woman in labour to get a massage, especially in the lower back area. This can help in reducing the pain sensations in the brain and help bring down the pain that the woman is going through during labour. Additionally, a massage from the partner has a psychological effect, too, wherein the woman feels cared for and supported by her partner. This can also help in speeding up the process a lot.
13. Take Walks
Along with squats, walking is a great exercise for a woman in the later stages of pregnancy to help her have an easy delivery. Walking also helps in pushing the baby towards the cervix and can help improve the process of childbirth. Research shows that walking helps in releasing oxytocin, which can help with contractions and labour. This is an activity that should be tried by all mothers who are in their later stages of pregnancy as it isn't as challenging as squats.
14. Consume Vitamin-Rich Foods
Vitamins like A, B, C, and E are vital to maintaining hormonal balance in the later stages of pregnancy and also to tone the uterus to have a speedy normal delivery with little or no medical interventions. Vitamin K is also essential for expecting mothers because it helps in blood clotting and reduces the chances of haemorrhage after birth, which can be fatal for the mother. Vitamins A, B, C, and E must be consumed naturally through fresh fruits or vitamin supplements on a daily basis, and Vitamin K must be consumed by eating green leafy vegetables like spinach.
15. Stay Fit
Staying fit during your pregnancy is essential for easy and smooth delivery. Expecting mothers need to be mindful of the food they eat and exercise regularly to improve their experience of childbirth. Pregnant women should include some form of physical activity in their daily life, and these exercises could be walking, yoga, swimming, etc.
Following these 15 easy tips can help in making the childbirth experience simpler for expecting parents and bring out their precious ones quicker into this world.
Resources and References: Parents, What to Expect
Also Read:
Preparing for Labour and Delivery
Complications during Labour and Delivery
Effective & Safe Exercises for Easy Labour & Delivery Read more
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Diet Plan for 12 Month 3 Week Old Toddler
Introduction
Your baby can indulge in some sweets by this age. You can give him healthy Indian sweets like sabudana (sago) kheer, fruit chaat, or rajgira (amaranth). Sounds yummy, right? So include these delicacies in his diet! Want to know what else can you make for him apart from these sweets, check this meal plan for week 3.
Food Menu & Schedule for 12 Month 3 Week Old Toddler
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 1
Breakfast
Sabudana (sago) kheer
Mid-morning
Grated apple
Lunch
Jowar (sorghum)-wheat roti + dal palak + a few cherry tomatoes
Evening
Mix stewed fruit chaat
Dinner
Baked pumpkin soup with grilled cheese sandwich
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 2
Breakfast
Ragi (finger millet) dosa with non-spicy sambar + milk
Mid-morning
Chopped de-skinned peach or stewed apple
Lunch
Multigrain roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of boiled beetroot+ handpounded rice
Evening
Moong dal (green gram split) ladoo
Dinner
Gobi (cauliflower) paratha with curd
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 3
Breakfast
Seviyan (vermicelli) or sooji( semolina) upma + mango or banana milkshake
Mid-morning
Mix stewed fruit chaat
Lunch
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Evening
Sweet potato + poha (flattened rice)powder
Dinner
Paratha + paneer (cottage cheese) or egg bhurji
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 4
Breakfast
Broken wheat porridge
Mid-morning
A few chopped strawberries or chopped apple
Lunch
Jowar(sorghum) -wheat roti + chole palak + a few cherry tomatoes
Evening
Sattu (barley)ladoo
Dinner
Kaali dal with jeera rice
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 5
Breakfast
Oats porridge
Mid-morning
½ egg custard or pancake
Lunch
Vegetable soup + fried rice + a few slices of carrots
Evening
Fruit yoghurt
Dinner
Bajra (pearl millet) roti + brinjal sabzi+ urad dal
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 6
Breakfast
Banana milkshake + poha
Mid-morning
½ scrambled egg or paneer(cottage cheese) ladoo
Lunch
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Evening
Boiled sweet potato
Dinner
Vegetable- masoor dal( red lentil) pulao with coconut curry
Diet for a 12 Month-Old – Week 3, Day 7
Breakfast
Thalipeeth + milk
Mid-morning
Rajgira (amaranth) ladoo
Lunch
Jowar (sorghum) -wheat roti + lauki (bottle gourd) sabzi + chana dal + a few cherry tomatoes
Evening
Chana (chickpeas) powder mixed with dates ladoo
Dinner
Roti + dal + a sabzi of choice + a few slices of cucumber
Conclusion
Your baby may refuse to eat if you give him the same food daily, so get creative. Variety is the spice of life – so plan the menu accordingly and include fruits, grains, meat, dairy products his diet. If you need a meal plan for the coming week to offer him a balanced diet, click here! Read more
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Your Baby This Week : 20 Month Week 3 Old
On average, the 20-month-old can learn ten or more words a day, but don’t expect your child to pronounce each of these words, not yet. Now, he is working on his ability to understand. In order to help him out, keep reading and talking to him. When you are at the supermarket or the garden, point out to things and tell your child what they are.
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Breastfeeding Tips I Wish I Knew Before
I am a first-time mother, and I opted for a planned C section delivery instead of Natural Vaginal birth. My baby was born at 36 weeks and 4 days, his birth weight was 2.64 kg. After 2 hours of the surgery, I was sent to my room with my baby. I met several people; doctors, paediatricians, lactation experts, dieticians; all of them congratulated me and asked me to start breastfeeding my baby. The lactation expert checked my breast for milk and confirmed that I am lactating positively. She tried teaching me the technique of holding my baby in the lying position to feed him. Initially, my baby was unable to latch onto my breast. She asked me to keep trying to feed him every 2 hours.
Firstly, I was going through a lot of pain and I was nervous after my surgery. Secondly, I was afraid to hold my baby in the lying position, I kept thinking that I might hurt the baby by mistake. This made it next to impossible for me to feed the baby. Hence, the hospital started giving supplementary formula milk to my baby. I failed multiple times. The paediatricians were concerned and asked me to keep trying to feed my boy every 2 hours. On the day of my discharge from the hospital (early hours of Day 4), I realised that I have failed to give my baby the basic aspect of a mother's love, her breast milk, and nothing could stop me from crying. By this day, my baby was comfortable in drinking formula milk and stopped trying to feed on me.
On Day 4, I was home and kept trying to feed him. I was on Galact and Perinorm for a week which was supposed to help me lactate. The point was I had enough milk for my baby but he couldn't figure out how to get it from me. The struggle went on for days and finally, on Day 8 my baby started feeding of me. After this experience, I want to help new mothers understand certain things about breastfeeding that I wish I knew before:
Breastfeeding is a slow process. You cannot fast forward it. Give your baby time to latch onto you. Do not give up if the baby is crying. Pacify the baby and keep trying to feed the baby.
Check for noise and lights. Too bright and too dim lights impact breastfeeding initially when both your baby and you are learning. Ensure you have a peaceful environment when you are trying to breastfeed your baby.
Have minimal clothing on the baby so they don't fall asleep during breastfeeding. Very warm body temperature would make your baby fall asleep. You can take the mittens and cap off while breastfeeding to prevent the baby from falling asleep. Try tickling ears and feet of the baby to keep him awake. Remember, falling asleep doesn't always mean that they are full.
Remember to stay calm, and patient with yourself and the baby. Stress impacts lactation. Hence, do not worry if your baby is taking time to learn. Talk to your paediatrician. Stay focused and stay happy, mommies!
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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Sarika gupta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 5 months
20 hours ago
Q. Am craving to have a burger at McDonald’s. Am 15 week pregnant.
Is it safe to have
Sarika gupta
Mom of 2 children
8 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much and it is better to avoid this at this time and also if you want to eat burger then it is better to make it a home . Thanks and take care
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 6 months
19 hours ago
Q. It's my 12th week of pregnancy but last night I noticed some bleeding. So, my doctor prescribed Duphaston for 2 weeks. Is there anything to worry about? Please guide me.
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
19 hours ago
A. at present take rest and use medicines as advised by the doctor. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
13 hours ago
Q. I am 7 month pregnant with second baby I have severe abscess pain in armpit and buttocks pls tell me remedy for this ...Dr recommend antibiotics and ultracet pain tablet I have taken some doses of it but worried about the foetal development..does it hurt my baby
Read moreDr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
11 hours ago
A. You should have proper consultation with your treating doctor , as some examination or investigations may be needful, so that proper medications can be given And the treatment can be done very properly.
continue antibiotics regularly
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
7 hours ago
Q. Hello dr meri beti 6 days ki hai or use feed karwane ke bad nose or muh se milk bhar aa raha hai to aesa kyu kr rahi hai….me kya Dr ko dikhau kya???
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
7 hours ago
A. Hello dear parent! Keep your baby’s heart in a little elevated position while you’re breastfeeding. Burp your baby after every feed. Keep Babyhug tummy roll on handy. Consult your doctor for further assistance
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts how to reduce belly fat after pregnancy and skin was loose .two year passes but problem is persist.How can reduce it
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. For weight loss diet is good in intermittent fasting a good and but if your body is loose or you feel you really do tighten up your body then gymming or yoga both the things are going to be very good both the things are going to be helpful in tightening up your body and muscles at the same time but it is time consuming we just have to have patience
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. my baby is one month old and have cold symptoms. can I consume buttermilk?
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
5 hours ago
A. yes u can further you can contact with your doctor and you can get thhje the solution for this by discussing with him he will guide you for more details if required .
Its always better to take the guidance by the concernged person with the geniune advice ...
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