Delivery Day { My 1st guest post }

Suggested Preparations for Baby's Delivery Day

Giving birth is an exciting time for everyone involved, and amid all the excitement it may be easy to forget all that must be done to help make it go smoothly. Even with nine months to prepare, there are still a lot of preparations to make for the big day. Making a childbirth checklist can be helpful so that unforeseen decisions and circumstances will be easier to deal with. Consider including the following items on the ready checklist for extra security.

Child Birth Classes

In the days of midwives and large families, women had excellent counsel from others on what to expect and be prepared for. The loss of generational knowledge does not mean doing it alone, however. Childbirth Classes are offered by most hospitals and obstetric clinics to give women and partners the opportunity to ask questions and receive quality information about the process. Besides learning breathing techniques and getting to tour the facilities, new moms will benefit from social contacts and an in-depth look at options for delivery.

Medical Procedures

Most doctors have standard procedures that they’ll perform during delivery, without consultation, and others may ask mom-to-be a yes or no question (since they do not have the time to go over all options once labor has started). It’s worthwhile to initiate discussion beforehand about procedures, like circumcision and vitamin K injections, as well as pain relief options.

You may also want to discuss any elective procedures that your doctor could perform, such as a water birth or cord blood collection. A cord blood collection occurs after a baby’s umbilical cord is clamped and cut. The doctor collects the blood remaining the in the umbilical cord and it is then sent off for processing and storage at a facility of the family’s choice. This becoming a common practice among families, known as cord blood banking.

Diet and Exercise for Success

Beyond breathing techniques and exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, physical fitness is an important part of ensuring a healthy delivery. It is important to consult with a doctor and search about the best sources for information on exercise guidelines during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are certainly important for expecting moms, but it is still critical to eat a varied and nutritious diet throughout pregnancy. Childbirth is a joyous event, and it is easier to celebrate with the right preparations in place!

This article was written by Alan Cassidy, an active writer within the blogging community covering maternity and childbirth, and always advocating for infant and children’s health. Connect with him on Twitter @ACassidy22