Staying Active During Early Labor and Delivery
Submitted by
Andrey Ragozin
The labor and delivery process—especially the early phase—can take a while. There's tons of evidence showing that the two best things you can do for yourself during early labor and delivery are to stay home and stay active.
When you spend those first hours of mild, infrequent contractions at home instead of in a labor and delivery ward, you can move around, eat, drink, rest, and generally be yourself longer. Not to mention the fact that moms who spend early labor at home are at a decreased risk of labor and delivery interventions and c-sections. And really, who wants to spend more time in a hospital than they really have to?
But don't just veg out on the couch. When you stay moving during this phase of labor and delivery, it helps baby move into an optimal position, and it helps your body prepare. Here are some ways to pass the time before you head to the hospital.
Take a Walk Around the block, around the room...anything just to keep moving. Most women stay close to home, but some moms report that window-shopping at the mall or Wal-mart was the perfect escape.
Take a Swim Yes, really! If you have access to a pool, swimming is an excellent low-impact way to stay active. Plus, it may even help with labor and delivery pain!
Clean and Organize Even if you hate doing household-y projects, use the time to fold onesies, vacuum, or re-arrange your Tupperware. It will be nice to come home from the hospital to a clean house!
Cook or Bake Again - distraction, distraction, distraction. You'll be comfortable, and you'll be keeping busy before labor and delivery. Make something that will keep for a few days.
Dance Don't get crunk, just put on some of your favorite music and sway to the beat. If you're partner's there, enjoy one last pre-newborn slow dance.
Your body will tell you what's too much, and once the contractions start coming more frequently, it may be time to head into the hospital for the rest of labor and delivery. Hopefully, by that point you'll be fed, rested, and ready for the real work to start!
When you spend those first hours of mild, infrequent contractions at home instead of in a labor and delivery ward, you can move around, eat, drink, rest, and generally be yourself longer. Not to mention the fact that moms who spend early labor at home are at a decreased risk of labor and delivery interventions and c-sections. And really, who wants to spend more time in a hospital than they really have to?
But don't just veg out on the couch. When you stay moving during this phase of labor and delivery, it helps baby move into an optimal position, and it helps your body prepare. Here are some ways to pass the time before you head to the hospital.
Take a Walk Around the block, around the room...anything just to keep moving. Most women stay close to home, but some moms report that window-shopping at the mall or Wal-mart was the perfect escape.
Take a Swim Yes, really! If you have access to a pool, swimming is an excellent low-impact way to stay active. Plus, it may even help with labor and delivery pain!
Clean and Organize Even if you hate doing household-y projects, use the time to fold onesies, vacuum, or re-arrange your Tupperware. It will be nice to come home from the hospital to a clean house!
Cook or Bake Again - distraction, distraction, distraction. You'll be comfortable, and you'll be keeping busy before labor and delivery. Make something that will keep for a few days.
Dance Don't get crunk, just put on some of your favorite music and sway to the beat. If you're partner's there, enjoy one last pre-newborn slow dance.
Your body will tell you what's too much, and once the contractions start coming more frequently, it may be time to head into the hospital for the rest of labor and delivery. Hopefully, by that point you'll be fed, rested, and ready for the real work to start!
Submit!
