I asked local Doula and NCT practitioner, Hannah Appelgren, to write some advice for all you lovely pregnant mums during lockdown out there…
Everyone is feeling a bit anxious and stressed out right now. But this might be even more the case if you are currently pregnant. Being pregnant in a major pandemic isn’t what you had planned right?! So firstly, I want you to know that you are not alone in feeling scared and uncertain about your upcoming birth, the situation is having a wide-ranging impact on nearly everyone.
So, after acknowledging that the situation is challenging, what can you do to help yourself to feel as calm and confident as possible in the days and weeks leading up to the birth of your baby? Here are some things that might help:
Reading
Get empowered! Read good quality literature and books on giving birth and the early days of parenting. Access evidence-based information online from reputable sources, knowledge is power!
Prepare your mind by listening to positive birth stories or podcasts and filling yourself up with positive thoughts, write or print off from the internet birth affirmations that sing to your soul.
Exercising
Prepare your body by eating well, taking some daily exercise such as going for a walk, or trying out some yoga online.
Planning
Write a birth plan! The power of the birth plan is in making you informed and empowered. We know that sometimes birth can take another direction, but having a vision for your birth and preparing yourself for different paths is immensely useful. Make sure you get your birth partner to read it and discuss what are the really important things for you. A birth plan is an excellent way to share your wishes with the midwife when you go to hospital or the birth centre (or at your homebirth if it is still an option in your area).
Talking
If you’ve had a baby before and you have some remaining trauma or anxiety about that experience that is impacting how you feel about your upcoming birth, talk to someone about it. You can talk to your midwife, a doula or maybe you have a really good friend you could talk to who will just listen.
Many women are rightly concerned about being in labour and their partner not being there. If you can’t be together physically, you can of course use the phone/ facetime/ WhatsApp to chat. Consider bringing with you a T-shirt that they have worn that smells of them that you can snuggle, or maybe get them to write you some words of encouragement on little notes in your hospital bag to boost your spirits.
Breathing
And remember to BREATHE! Focus on the exhalation and your body will naturally breathe in again. Focus on long slow exhalations, counting, using a visualisation, mantra or whatever works for you.
And remember… You’ve got this!
Hannah Appelgren
https://bookwhen.com/hannahyogatonbridge for online pregnancy yoga classes
https://www.nct.org.uk/ NCT for online antenatal courses
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.