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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 23 Month 4 Week Old Toddler
Introduction
As your child gets closer to 2 years of age, he will be able to eat almost all kinds of solid food. Continue giving him food that covers all food groups – carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Milk, ghee, etc. should be a regular part of his diet. That said, here’s what you should give your child during mealtimes this week:
Food Menu & Schedule for 23 Month 4 Week Old Toddler
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 1
Breakfast
Parathas with milk
Mid-morning
Sattu(mixed gram flour)ladoo
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Almond-anjeer (fig)milkshake
Dinner
Grilled cheese sandwich with vegetable soup
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 2
Breakfast
Poha
(flattened rice)
fruit juice
Mid-morning
Methi(fenugreek)
puri
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Paneer(cottage cheese)-
khakhara chaat
Dinner
Chole puri + lassi
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 3
Breakfast
Thalipeeth + milk
Mid-morning
Mashed banana
/apple/any
locally available
fruit
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Peanut chikki + ½ cup of any locally available fruit
Dinner
Makki(corn) ki roti
+ sarson(mustard)
ka saag
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 4
Breakfast
Banana/
egg white
pancake
Mid-morning
Fruit juice
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Banana/apple milkshake
Dinner
Mix vegetable-
paneer(cottage cheese)
paratha with tomato soup
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 5
Breakfast
Seviyan upma
+ banana
/apple
milkshake
Mid-morning
Seviyan upma
+ banana
/apple
milkshake
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Palak(spinach)
soup with bread
sticks
Dinner
Paneer(cottage cheese)
cutlets or grilled fish
with coriander
tomato shorba
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 6
Breakfast
Ragi satva
(finger millet malt)
with almond
powder
Mid-morning
Cut fruits
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Bajra(pearl millet) roti with milk
Dinner
Varan bhaat
Diet for a 23-month-old – Week 4, Day 7
Breakfast
Doodh poha with
chopped fruit
topped with
elaichi
(cardamom)
Mid-morning
Crushed til
(sesame) ladoo
Lunch
Mini roti + dal + any sabzi of choice + a few slices of carrot/cucumber/tomatoes + 1 spoon of coriander /mint chutney
Evening
Plain dahi(curd)
with locally
available fruit
Dinner
Soya patties with
masoor dal(red lentil)
soup and rice
Conclusion
Remember to extract seeds, pits, and peels when giving fruits and veggies to your baby. Also ensure that your child doesn’t overeat, and surely don’t over-feed him! Continue to encourage new food, and as a practice, eat the food with your child so he can follow suit. To get a meal plan for your 24-month-old, click here! Read more
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Newborn Vaccinations at 3 months - A Complete List
At 3 months, your baby has already been introduced to the dreaded source of pain - vaccines! However hard it is to inflict pain on your baby, you need to ensure that your baby is best protected against common yet fatal diseases. Here's a detailed list of vaccines required at the 3-month mark!
Timely vaccinations are crucial for your baby’s health and safety. As your baby approached the 3 month old milestone, there is a list of vaccinations recommended by doctors in order to protect your little one against an array of diseases.
You may have already finished with the first dose of all the below mentioned shots so make sure you get the second dose on time for maximum efficacy.
1. DtaP/DtwP
Around the 10 week (approximately 2.5 month) mark, your baby is due to get the DtaP/DtwP shot. This shot protects your baby against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. By this time, you will have already finished off with the first shot and your baby is ready for the second dose.
2. Hib
This vaccination attacks Haemophilus Influenzae which usually produces symptoms of headache, fever, cough, a stiff neck and some respiratory issues. If the case gets intense it could lead to a life-threatening condition too!
3. Rotavirus
This vaccination is high priority for your baby as it helps protect against the virus that causes diarrhea. Diarrhea causes severe dehydration and can be fatal for your infant. At this 3 month mark, your baby will be due for the second dose out of 3 doses.
4. IPV
The polio vaccine has 4 doses and at this point in time your 3 month old will be eligible for the second dose. Failure to complete dosage can lead to permanent paralysis in the limbs!
5. PCV
To protect your baby against peumonia and meningitis, which are most likely to be fatal in babies, the PCV vaccine is prescribed. However, this vaccine is usually optional and expensive so its best discussed with your paediatrician.
Remember, it is important that all doses for your baby are complete. Your paediatrician will guide you well and you will have nothing to worry about but just to be a voice of reason – prevention is better than cure! Read more
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New Parents Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput Have Chosen The Most Beautiful Baby Name Ever!
What all did you think of during your pregnancy? As expecting moms, we pray that our baby is born healthy, that we are able to become good moms, and that our husbands become equal partners in this new phase of life. We think about decorating the nursery, what diapers to use, the toys to buy. Apart from all these, there is one BIG thought that stays with us right till the very end. It is a thought that gives us a lot of happiness and excitement. Our baby’s name. We want to select a name that will stand for all the love, luck and happiness we want to bestow upon our baby. But how can we do this? Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput Kapoor, who just became parents, have hit upon the perfect name for their little princess. The story and meaning behind her name is cuteness personified!
Shahid and Mira's first baby – a cute little girl – was born on August 26. The couple, who got married in July last year, are now ecstatic parents and still coming to terms with how rapidly time flies.
Mira had a normal delivery and the baby girl weighed a healthy 2.8 kgs at birth. After mom and baby both returned home, the parents had one delightful decision to make:
what should they name their daughter?
Shahid and Mira wanted their child’s name to symbolise their love for each other as well as the happiness she brought to their lives.
At the same time, they also wanted the name to be lucky and blessed. Together with Pankaj Kapur, the new grandparent, the couple flew down to Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) in Amritsar.
Both Shahid and Mira’s family are followers of this sect and interestingly, it was through this sect that the two met each other for the first time!
During their visit with Baba Gurinder Singh, the trio finalised the name for the youngest and cutest Kapoor in the household.
The little princess has been named Misha. Her name is a combination of the letters in her mom and dad’s names - Mi(ra) and Sha(hid). What could be a better way for the parents to forever seal their love in their daughter’s heart!
Misha derives from Russian and means ‘God Like’ or “derived from God”. And indeed, what are babies if not God’s blessings? They transform our world with their innocence and purity – in a way only God can.
The new parents cannot stop gushing over their baby and Shahid, in fact, makes an honest confession – “Misha Kapoor makes it impossible for daddy to go anywhere!”He is already in his obsessed daddy life and by the looks of it,
he is loving every moment!Deciding upon your baby’s name can be a difficult thing to do. It is a good idea to trust your insitinct but choose carefully based on meanings, significance and relevance to you as parents and to your family and household.
The trend of clubbing the parents’ names to create the baby’s name is catching on rapidly. Aditya Chopra and Rani Mukherjee too, for instance, named their baby girl Adira – a combination of Adi(itya) and Ra(ni).
Not only are such names distinct and beautiful, but they also symbolise the parents’ love for each other. Imagine the joy your kids will find in their names when they sense your love and protection in their very being! Such a name,
in fact, is very much like the protection that we extend to our loved ones and receive from them in return.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Source: https://www.instagram.com/shahidkapoor/?hl=en[/caption]
“In many ways I feel protected by Mira. Although she is young, she is self-assured. We talk about many things and she gives me interestingly different point of views, which I respect. Of course I am protective about everyone I love. But I feel equally protected. When you have somebody who loves you, around you, someone who is looking out for your best interests, it makes you feel safer.”
We wish you a lifetime of happiness, little Misha. May you grow up amidst love and affection and never have a fear in the world!
How did you decide upon your baby’s name? Does it have a special meaning? Tell us your stories and baby names in the comments below. Read more
Dr Priyanka Kalra has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
15 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
At which day should I take pregnancy test
Dr Priyanka Kalra
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
12 hours ago
A. after 2 weeks. do ultrasound n necessary tests after consulting a specialist. without proper check up we can't advise or help you.. Avoid shirt cuts when it comes to health if mother n baby. ok.
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
15 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
when should I take pregnancy test?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
13 hours ago
A. after missed your periods you can wait for one week more ,then you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
14 hours ago
Q. I am having pcod problem.
but having regular cycles below 35 days. some time it will extended upto 40 days.
so when should I take pregnancy test at home?
Dr Laxmi Chavan-Sawant
Ayurvedic Gynaecologist
13 hours ago
A. If you have missed your periods you can wait for one week more or else you can do a urine pregnancy test to know about the pregnancy result and consult with your doctor according to the result for medication.
The best treatment to have Regular periods is by having a healthy lifestyle with regular daily walking or jogging along with mild exercise and meditation whenever possible. as medications will only act till you are taking them
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
11 hours ago
Q. Done my first routine blood test ..it shows thyroid border line.its my 6 week running as per USG.
but prior to that my thyroid level was always normal I did check up every year and got it normal .this time it shows borderline high in 6 week pregnancy.
is it something to worry.plz guide
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
10 hours ago
A. it is better to follow your doctors advice for treating the thyroid deficiency. 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
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts
Best activity toys for 15 month old baby
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. Toys which have light and also sounds so that is going to be a good option for you to use apart from the different kids have different interest some kids like to play with cars some like to play with something else so just have to try to figure out what your child likes to eat just check what your child is more inclined towards
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. how to gain weight 32weeks
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. You need to have a lot of good proteins and that is what is going to be helpful have a balanced diet and good have good amount of proteins as well which is what is going to be beneficial and good weight gain for your child as well
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