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Yeah right, do you really think I know the answer to that one? If I did I would be one very rich lady. However I am always asked about ways to get things going. Whether you’re excited to just meet your baby, fed up of getting bigger and heavier or you’re trying to avoid induction, I do have some words of wisdom to share with you, which may help. I recently shared these tips with a good friend and it seemed to do the trick for her, baby Molly arrived the next day in fact (so I'm totally claiming that one).
1) Confidence breeds relaxation, and relaxation breeds oxytocin - So, chill out, you’ve got this! The baby will come when it’s ready... and if you don't believe me I'll explain how to you. Your baby really is the one who decides when to be born. Mother Nature has it all planned, when your baby's lungs are ready they release a protein, this travels up to the mums brain which triggers a cascade of hormones to be released. It's these that then start the process of labour, initially with softening your cervix. We really are finely tuned machines.
2) Talking of oxytocin, Have you got any? Cortisol kills our love hormone, so don’t let people stress you out - Fuck em! Lie about your EDD to everyone (yes I didn’t even tell my mother) it helps to reduce those stress inducing chasing messages ‘baby here yet?’
3) Enjoy an evening with ya baby Daddy, once a newborn is around it’ll be a while. So go to dinner, watch a movie, have a nap together.... get kissing 😉
4) Watch birth videos and read positive stories...... look at those tiny newborns and visualise yourself doing it, just the way you’ve imagined. Take a look at Tell Me a Good Birth Story and start to feel ready to have your day. Re-read the first point.... confidence breeds relaxation, which breeds oxytocin production.
I've added some more birth video links at the bottom for you
5) Have some me time, take a bath, go shopping, get a massage, see your friends for mani/pedis, as soon as you make plans your baby will break them trust me! And this is a habit that doesn't go away either. I even have a £15 off discount code for Blow LTD that you can use - BEAU15 so get planning and you're welcome.
6) Get ya rabbit out... (yes I said it) masterbate, sex is never appealing when you are this pregnant but orgasms can help... so maybe spend tomorrow morning in bed ☺️
7) Dates, not the kind I have mentioned above but eating them. Have you ever heard of six dates a day in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy? Well this one might actually work, there are even studies to show its effectiveness the key one being in Iran but I won't bore you with that (it's another post). In short, dates contain a high percentage of carbohydrates along with fat and 15 different types of salts and minerals, proteins and vitamins, it is these that they think help to ripen the cervix meaning women's labours are more efficient and in the trial those that ate the dates had less intervention and were closer to their EDD when spontaneous labour happened.
8) Pump it up. Once you reach the 40 week mark you may want to avoid induction and using your breast pump can help with this. As with lots of my points it's all about creating that oxytocin party in your body and by stimulating our nipples we can trick our body into producing a huge wave of this love hormone. Just five minutes a day on each breast can give your body a boost.
If you haven't got one yet and plan to breastfeed and pump, this is my favourite and you can even click on the image to purchase from Amazon
9) Aromatherapy, Clary Sage to be exact. This oil has oestrogen-regulating and stimulating properties, because of its similar chemical structure to oestrogen and is thought to have a stimulating effect on pregnant women, encouraging the uterus to contract. It's advised not to used before 37 weeks of pregnancy but I would wait until even later if you can. I've found the best use is in a diffuser with a couple of drops of oil and water.
This is my favourite and again you can click to purchase from Amazon
10) Walking, yep it's true exercising during later pregnancy really is beneficial. It isn't all, naps on the sofa and eating cake, though of course I highly recommend this too. Think of your pelvis like a sieve, if you had flour in it you'd shake it right? To help you baby to make its way down we want that pelvis moving, making space for your baby's head. So walking, yoga, bouncing on your swiss ball.... all great for getting your baby's head engaged. You body needs the combination of your uterus contracting along with the pressure of your baby's head on your cervix for dilation.
Lastly, look forward to it... I know I sound insane but I’m actually jealous you’re just about to give birth - it’s the most amazing, empowering thing you can ever do. I would do it again tomorrow, giving birth really is one of the best days of your life.
Some more birth video links for you all to watch -