Tips for a positive labor and delivery experience

As I prepare for my second birth there were a few “learning” moments that I realized from my first birth experience. These are tips I am implementing for my next birth. I would also like to add that birthing experiences will differ with each pregnancy as it is unique to every child, but regardless, it is good to know (for our own reference) what could help us achieve a positive birth experience.

List of tips for a positive labor and delivery experience:

1. Bond with baby immediately after labor + delivery by doing skin-to-skin for 1-2 hours, and sniff their unwashed hair (let yourself indulge in the newborn bubble)!!!
2. Delay the umbilical cord clamping for 2-3 minutes (read more about the benefits HERE)
3. Delay the first newborn baby bath (read more about the benefits HERE).
4. If scheduled for an induction- do not feel like a failure for getting an epidural. There is nothing wrong about getting modern medicine to ease the pain and there is nothing to prove to yourself about “submitting to the pain”. Your body is literally being forced into labor, which is an unnatural sensation for your body so give yourself some grace for enduring a brutal introduction to labor.
5. Use a birth ball or peanut ball to help ease your pain during contractions.
6. Let your partner know how they can support you during labor. Your partner is on your team. They want to be there for you, but might not know how to help, so have a pre-labor conversation about all the ways they can support you.
7. Fill out a “Birth Plan journal” with your spouse to have it ready for your labor. Include motivating affirmations for them to say, all the breathing techniques, so that they are prepared to coach you during each contraction. This type of support is extremely helpful, especially for the intense contractions!
8. Let your partner know what you do NOT want them to do. Some women don’t want to be touched and other women want to be physically supported during labor. It’s different for everyone, so tell your partner to not take it personal if you don’t want to be supported in a particular manner.
9. Optional: tell your family members and nurses ahead of time if you are accepting visitations or not. The worst thing is getting a surprise visit during your intense labor pains and you have unwanted spectators. This adds more stress than you might imagine.
10. Set the ambiance with music and lighting in the cold hospital room: create a soothing playlist that will keep you calm – consider getting ad-free subscription on your music streaming app. You don’t want anything to interrupt your positive mood.
11. Bring warm socks or slippers to wear and (if allowed) bring an essential oil diffuser to make the environment cozier for yourself.
12. Bring BLACK pajamas for comfortable lounging post-delivery.
13. Use as many perineal ice packs, witch hazel patches, and Dermoplast pain relief spray as needed!! This makes post-partum recovery much more comfortable for you!!
14. Bring an eye mask to sleep in the hospital during the day. Trust me, you’ll be interrupted quite a bit at nighttime.
15. If this is your first baby and are planning to breastfeed- talk to the lactation specialist as much as possible, USE THEM AS A RESOURCE! These women are qualified and ready to help you, so don’t be shy to get their hands-on help or asking them any questions. Also- bring your breast pump to the hospital to learn how to use it with the lactation specialist.

Here’s to all our learning moments! I’d be curious to know what some of your tips for a positive labor and delivery experience?

xo, Cielo Cesare