The first step in pregnancy inducing labor is to learn the methods of helping to move labor along. Had I known this with my first pregnancy I believe my labor wouldn’t have had to be induced. I simply laid there not knowing that I could get up or at the very least turn over in bed to help augment labor.
Instead I got the maximum Pitocin drip (the drug used to cause uterine contractions) and ended up having to have my water broken. If you are able, walking and moving around and/or changing positions will greatly help labor to advance.
Another good thing on making labor and delivery easier is to practice your breathing exercises that you learned in childbirth class. Whether it is Lamaze or Bradley, these will help you to relax and remain calm, even if you are having a cesarean.
Knowing what you are headed into will be the most effective way of easing labor and delivery. That will knock out the fear of the unknown and prepare you for what to expect.
Sometimes things don’t go as planned, so prepare for the unplanned.
Write a birth plan and go over it with your doctor or midwife. Make sure to be flexible and open to the possibility that you may have to change a few things. This way you will know for sure what actions will be taken once labor hits, and there will be no surprises.
You should leave room in your birth plan for the unexpected too such as emergency cesareans.
Give all this advice some thought and try to relax. Mentally go over your big day in your mind, going over all possible situations. This will help to prepare for the “what-ifs.” If your childbirth class does not include a tour of your hospital or go over hospital procedures (if you plan on giving birth in a hospital) then make arrangements to tour the labor and delivery unit at your hospital and ask the nurse to go over all the things that could possibly happen with you once you are checked in. This will help to familiarize yourself for the big event and help you to better visualize the big day.
Above all, talk to your doctor or midwife at length about any concerns or questions you may have. Don’t be afraid to find out all you can as fear is the base of stress, and stress can make the labor and birth harder. Knowledge erases fear. Look forward to the day with confidence and assurance that you are as ready as can be.