Labor and Delivery - Last Minute Planning and OrganizationIf you're in the third trimester and feeling as though you are carrying the weight equivalent of ten bags of sugar around with you, it's most likely that you're in the final countdown and heading towards labor and delivery. It's an amazing time in the pregnancy, not least because of the huge excitement about a new baby, also because you are busy with last minute planning and organizing. As you approach labor and delivery it is very important to adopt a more selfish attitude. This means that you need to concentrate on looking after you and your baby. Keeping healthy and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle is very important and is often the reason many women are able to enjoy reasonably comfortable labor and delivery. One of the best things to do is to obviously reduce the amount of work you are doing. You may not feel like doing much anyway, however many women experience a sudden burst in energy especially as they approach labor and delivery. Often to the amazement of their partners, friends and family a heavily pregnant woman will require constant supervision so that she does not over do it during the inevitable nesting period. If possible, try to arrange for your partner to take on more of the more strenuous household chores. If this can not be achieved, try to arrange for support from a friend or family member. If you have an existing family, especially a young energetic family it is very important that you do not wear yourself out too much looking after them. If your other children are a little older, perhaps it is possible for them to get involved and help out a little more. It is absolutely crucial that as you approach labor and delivery you're able to concentrate and focus on just you. Obviously, not to the detriment of your other children. The other important aspect of the approaching labor and delivery day is to be sure in your mind exactly what type of birth you would like and where you will have the baby. Many women have a birth plan and may well have made their minds up, now is the time for you to confirm your selection and start preparing yourself. For example, if you have opted for a home birth, you may want to start thinking about whether you would like all of the members of your family there, or which room you would like to give birth in. On a more cautionary note, it is very likely that you will go beyond your original due date. In fact it is thought that as little as five percent of women go into labor and delivery on the day they are supposed to. Many babies are born before the original due date, whilst the vast majority are born after. So it is very important that you do not get too attached to a specific day as it can lead to disappointment if you do not experience labor and delivery on that day. Read more of our articles on labor and delivery Labor and Delivery - Where Would You Like to Give Birth? |