So I had big plans to blog about all the physical preparation I try to do in preparation for labor and delivery to find out yesterday that the baby might be breech (my midwife is 95% sure and the signs I’ve been having, kicking in the spinal cord and shortness of breath all indicate she’s right).  I won’t be able to get a full confirmation through an ultrasound until late next week due to the Easter holiday here in Canada.   So it was recommended we start doing some things to try to get the baby to move now.

Some techniques include:

Lying on an ironing boarded tilted against the couch for 20 mins, 2 times a day…I’ve started this and it has made me incredibly dizzy but boy does my back feel nice when I am doing it.

Putting ice or frozen peas on my belly where we think  the baby’s head is to make the baby want to “move” away from the cold.

Shine a light “where the light don’t shine” to give the baby “a lighted path and direction” of where to go (this one was shared with me last night by some girlfriends…at least it made for a good laugh)

Hand stands (yes, pregnant, but it was only recommended to do this in a swimming pool)

Talking to the baby and telling him to move.

Massaging the baby into the position he is supposed to be in.

Visualizing the baby in the correct position.

Acupuncture

Chiropractic procedures

And a few others…

We are optimistic that the baby will still flip (I am 34 weeks now) and will be doing a lot to try to get him/her to flip.

What I was going to blog about today though was all the physical preparation you have to do to get ready for labor and delivery.  While your body naturally prepares for labour and delivery I do believe there are some things you can do physically to help.

I believe that you must be strong physically to birth a baby.  That doesn’t mean you should be running 5 miles a day every day but you should at a minimum take a good 20-30 min walk (up and down hill and stairs) every day.  You need cardiovascular endurance for labor and strength in your legs for pushing.

I also recommend a lot of squats and climbing stairs.  I did a lot of this last pregnancy and our house is full of stairs I have to run up and down every day so I think that helped.  However, if you are breech, squats are not recommended so I won’t be doing any of these until we know the little one has turned.

Swimming is an amazing way to prepare as well.  I’m not a huge swimmer but I know a lot of women who swam during their pregnancy and loved it.  The feeling of lightness and ability to just float is a very nice thing, especially when you are HUGELY pregnant.

Food…yes, everyone thinks we pregnant mommies get to pig out on ice cream and pickles as it is our right and that’s what we “should be eating…”  Well, I can’t say enough about trying to eat as healthy and wholesome food as possible when you are pregnant.  You are creating another human being and your body is going through a ton of changes.  You have to feed your body good “fuel” to run it.  That doesn’t mean never having a yummy ice cream or burger.  Some would actually say both are fantastic for you when you are pregnant for the calcium and iron you’d find in these.  But all things in moderation.

If you want to avoid bloating, avoid salty foods and drink a lot of water.

Which is the last thing that is soo important in pregnancy (and all the time for that matter) is to drink TONS of water.  Worried about amniotic fluid being low, drink water.  Tired all the time, drink more water, I bet you’ll feel better.

A lot of people might not agree with me and say pregnancy is a time to sit on the couch and eat bon-bons but I disagree.  If you are strong and healthy going into pregnancy and throughout your pregnancy  you will birth a healthy baby and also bounce back quicker so you can be a good mother.

So it’s off to try to get this baby to turn.  Wish us luck as I am incredibly discouraged right now but trying to stay focused on the task at hand, having a healthy baby!