Pre-Labour Activities for Moms
Ways to Distract Yourself and Pass the Time Before Labor Really Kicks In
Labour can be a life-changing experience. It is filled with anticipation, excitement and, yes, sometimes, discomfort. It doesn’t matter if it is your first or fourth child; labour can be a long process. Keeping your mind active will help you deal with the emotional and physical aspects. While it may seem impossible to get anything done when you are in labour, this is possible. There are many moments between the first contractions and your birth. These clever ideas will help you pass the time and distract yourself from the pain.
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Pre-Labour Activities for Moms
1. Yes, you can organise yourself! )
It’s easy to think, “How can I organise anything while in labour?” but labour takes time, especially if it is your first child. My husband was at work, and we’d just moved to a new home when my second baby was due. I sorted clothes into wardrobes and waited for the maintenance man to install our oven during early labour. I was busy working when the maintenance man arrived. He seemed surprised, but it kept me occupied!
Take advantage of this time to finish any tasks you have left unfinished. For example, if you are in early labor and need to set up your nursery, write your work’s out-of-office message, or prepare your baby’s clothing, do it now before things become intense. This can make you feel more productive and reduce your anxiety as you wait for the contractions to start.
2. Sleep while you can
It is tiring to work. You’ll need as much energy as you can muster after giving birth. Early labour may not be painful,l but it is a good opportunity to rest. If you’re not in active labour yet or aren’t experiencing contraction pain, this is a good time to take a nap. Even though you may feel restless, if it is possible to get some sleep, this will be a great help in the coming hours. Sleep may be scarce after the baby is born.
3. Chow down
If you’ve ever heard about a woman who went to dinner in early labour and thought that it was strange, then this is for you. While I was pregnant with my son, I didn’t know that eating a meal during early labour could be so soothing. But now I understand. She went to a nice restaurant for dinner as soon as she started feeling contractions with her second child. She was aware of what would happen and wanted to eat her favourite meal in preparation for the long journey ahead.
During my first labour, my husband drove me to McDonald’s to wait for things to settle down. We walked to a restaurant near the hospital for my second labour, but I was only able to eat in between contractions. A good meal will help you to maintain your energy and comfort while you wait for the active phase of labour.
4. Watch a Movie
A movie is a great way to distract yourself from the stress of work. It’s not necessary to pay attention to the plot — something funny or heartwarming will do. You might find that a rom-com lifts your spirits, and laughter can even speed up the labour process! Avoid watching movies about childbirth, particularly if it’s your first. When you are going through pain yourself, seeing others suffer may not make it any easier.
5. Play A Game
I will never forget playing Angry Birds while in early labour for my first baby. As contractions intensified, it became harder to focus on the game. However, my husband was so focused on getting to the next level that he wouldn’t stop. In frustration, I was ready to throw the phone through the window. If you can maintain your focus, playing a game is a great way of passing the time and keeping your mind active.
6. How to Write a Letter
Writing letters to my children’s baby albums was one of the special things I did before labour. This was a way for me to express my excitement about their birth calmly and emotionally. Writing helped me focus on the future instead of the pain of contractions. These letters will be cherished by your children as they grow.
7. Last-Minute Shopping
Online shopping is a great distraction when you are in labour. You don’t want to have your baby make their grand entrance at a mall. You may want to buy a few items last-minute for the baby, or prepare for postpartum. Be careful not to get carried away. You may be tempted to buy everything you see, but you do not need to.
8. But Don’t Get Too Comfortable
Don’t think you’ll have unlimited time during early labour. Each birth is unique, and some labours are much faster than others. The early stages of labour are unpredictable. Be ready to go to the hospital as soon as you feel things starting to pick up. You may want to avoid doing too much when you are just relaxing. This could make you feel less urgent once things get serious.
16 Distractions To Help You Through Your Work
Finding ways to distract yourself from the long, unpredictable work can make a huge difference. Distraction is a way to take your mind off the discomfort and focus on something completely different. Here are some tips to help make it easier.
1. Music
Create a playlist before labour starts. Choose uplifting songs, soothing music or relaxing music to keep you energised. You can involve your partner in the process by singing or playing an instrument together. Try out different music styles before going into labour and see which one works best.
2. Touch
Touch can be very soothing, whether you squeeze a stress ball, hold a smooth rock, or have your partner massage your spine. You may like different types of touching at different stages. Communicate with your partner to find out what works.
3. Imagery/Focal points
Bring along items that bring you joy and peace, like family photos, inspirational quotations, or artwork. These images can help you feel grounded and comforted.
4. Visualisation
The use of guided imagery is a very effective way to reduce stress. Visualising a peaceful and calm place, whether guided by a person or pre-recorded instructions, can help you relax during contractions.
5. Breathing patterns
Try rhythmic breathing. Different breathing techniques will help you distract your mind, making labour easier to manage. Slow, deep breathing can be helpful during early labour. Short, rapid breaths may work better as contractions get more intense.
6. A Meaningful Item
Bring something that has emotional value for you. This could be a piece of jewellery or a handmade quilt. This small item can provide comfort in the difficult moments of labour.
7. Movies or TV
A funny movie or TV show can help distract you from the pain. You can choose something fun and lighthearted to help ease the pain of labour.
8. Movement or Dance
You can stay relaxed and active by dancing or gently moving to music. By encouraging your baby’s movement down, you can help your labour progress by moving your body to the rhythm.
9. Cooking
It’s best to cook at the beginning of a project when you don’t have too much work. Preparing a simple meal is a good way to keep busy if you feel up to it.
10. Playing an instrument or singing
You might find that if you are musically inclined, you can distract yourself from pain by singing or playing an instrument.
11. What makes you laugh?
Laughing can reduce pain by releasing endorphins. Watching funny videos, making jokes or remembering funny stories can help you take a break from the intense labour.
12. Prayer
Some people find prayer a comforting distraction. Spiritual practices can calm your mind, whether you are praying for peace, strength, or a smooth birth.
13. Sucking Candy or Ice
A simple distraction can be found by sucking on a candy bar or crunching ice. The rhythmic motions of sucking and chewing are calming. Also, the sweetness or cold sensation can provide relief.
14. Water (Shower, Tub, Birth Pool)
The water is an excellent pain reliever during labour. Take advantage of a bathtub or birth pool. Or even a warm bath. The heat can help soothe sore muscles.
15. Smell/Scent
The scents can have a profound impact on your mood. Aromatherapy oils or lotions that you are familiar with, even your favourite chocolate bar, can help to provide comfort during labour.
16. Walking
Walking can be a great way to distract yourself from pain and help you progress through labour if contractions are mild. You can take a stroll around the house or hospital grounds and squat down when contractions strike.
