Are you wondering how to prepare for a baby? If you’re an expectant parent, this question might be on your mind day and night, But preparing for a baby isn’t just about getting your home in order—it also means preparing for labour and making a list of fun things to do before having a baby, which can support the end of your pregnancy journey. Read on for our top recommendations of what to do before your little one arrives.
1. Take a Childbirth Class
Whether you’re a first-time parent or a seasoned pro, it’s a good idea to take a childbirth class. Taking a class can support you with preparing for labour physically and emotionally—learn about breathing techniques, pain relief strategies, and how your body prepares for labour with practice contractions, known as Braxton Hicks.
Further, childbirth classes can help you understand what to anticipate in labour, how your healthcare provider will support you, and what happens after delivery, so take advantage of this resource!
2. Create a Birth Plan
For some, crafting a birth plan is essential to preparing for labour. Though childbirth can be unpredictable, and you may need to deviate from the plan, it helps to have a written record of your preferences and best to provide a copy to your partner, family, and healthcare provider. You’ll thank yourself later when everyone’s on the same page while you’re amid labour.
3. Pack Your Hospital Bag
Although this is a relatively easy task, don’t put it off until the last minute! Only 5 per cent of babies are actually born on their due date, so packing your hospital bag in advance may very well save the day! We have a handy hospital bag checklist you can use to make sure you don’t forget the essentials.
4. Follow a Healthy Diet
It's likely that you’ve been paying attention to what you eat and following a healthy pregnancy diet. If not, now’s the time to start! Eating well helps keep you and your little one healthy, promotes steady growth, and supplies the energy you need for childbirth and motherhood—so it’s a crucial component of how to prepare for a baby.
5. Try to Get Daily Exercise
In addition to eating well, exercising every day can help your body prepare for labour. Exercising while pregnant can help strengthen the muscles that you’ll use when giving birth. Experts recommended about 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.
6. Practice Relaxation Techniques
If you're taking a childbirth education class, you’ll likely learn several relaxation techniques that can help in preparing for labour. Prenatal yoga, meditation, and deep breathing have been known to reduce labour pains and can help you minimise those common anxieties and worries about giving birth and the big changes that lie ahead.
7. Plan Your Birth Announcement
Once your new addition arrives, you may want to send out birth announcements. Whether you plan to post on social media or send out a card, you can prepare the basic announcement ahead of time and add details like time and date of birth and your baby’s name after delivery.
8. Prepare Pets
It’s not just the older siblings that need help preparing for a baby—your furry family members will also need to adjust! Things like putting up gates to keep dogs and cats out of certain rooms and slowly introducing your pets to your new arrival with gentle interactions will help those first weeks at home with a newborn go more smoothly.
9. Decorate the Nursery
Check out some nursery themes and, after settling on something you like, start decorating! Preparing the nursery might satisfy the urge to nest during pregnancy. Nesting is a fairly common phenomenon that can keep you occupied and distracted if you feel nervous.
10. Attend Your Baby Shower
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with preparing for your baby’s impending arrival, remember that you don’t have to plan the baby shower and can simply enjoy being the guest of honour! Even if you help with the guest list or choose the venue, a close friend, family member, or loved one will do the bulk of the planning. Just relax and have fun.
For more help or advice on preparing for the birth of your child please speak to one of our team.