Whether it’s your first time being pregnant or this isn’t your first rodeo, there’s no denying that making decisions about your care when you’re expecting can be a daunting thing to do. You want to make sure that you get the very best care both for yourself and your unborn child, but there’s so much information out there, much of it conflicting, that it can be hard to work out how, exactly, to proceed. Here, we’re going to look at what you can start doing now to give yourself the best chances of a smooth birth.
Get your pre-natal health routine in place
Once you’re pregnant, see your GP and you’re going to start getting plenty of advice on how you can ensure the best chances of a healthy and uncomplicated birth. Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, vaping, or using any other substances, and make sure that you’re taking steps to improve your diet and stay active. Prenatal vitamins can help a lot of women ensure that they’re giving all of the right nutrients to the baby, as well.
Decide whether you’re going public or private
You have the option to decide how you want to handle your maternity and childbirth. Public services have served millions of mothers well, there’s no denying that. However, pregnancy cover can help you ensure a little more consistency in your care, such as being able to access birth services like water birthing, access to an epidural, as well as things as basic as being able to see that same obstetrician at each appointment. Because public resources are shared between many more people, you might find your appointments split between whichever OBs or midwives are available at the moment.
Another steady pair of hands at the birth
When it comes to the actual birth itself, nothing replaces having a reliable birthing partner. That said, a lot of women do opt to have a doula present. Doulas are there, effectively, to help with confidence and comfort, and to advocate for the mother’s care. There is evidence to suggest the efficacy of doulas in preventing some complications and improving maternal satisfaction across the board, and many women swear by using them, but it’s a matter of whether you’re comfortable having them there with you or not.
Getting psychological support
Pregnancy can be a big deal, affecting not just your physical health but your mental health, too. For one, hormone profiles can change pretty wildly, which can lead to the oft-parodied mood swings that come with pregnancy, but aside from that, there are real concerns like antenatal depression, anxiety, and the role of existing mental health issues that can affect pregnancy, like PTSD, OCD, or panic attacks. Learning to manage your wellbeing by finding stress-coping mechanisms, making time for yourself, and ensuring that those around you are doing their part to support you can be vital.
No one can make the process of pregnancy and childbirth entirely predictable. What you can do is make sure that you have the level of care in a place that you need to be to handle it, however, it goes.
Featured image: Pic – Pixabay License
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
