Labor Secrets from a Maternity Nurse BY RACHEL DA SILVA, RN, BSN, CLC As your little one is about to make his or her grand entrance, there are a few signs that you should be aware of. Sometimes it can be hard to distinguish false labor (Braxton Hicks) from true labor. In this article, I will share my all of my labor secrets that I learned after years of hospital experience. We will talk about signs/ stages of labor and breathing techniques to help you progress as safely and quick as possible. Mental Preparation Before you have your baby, I cannot express enough the power of positive thinking! Here are a few labor secrets to help keep you positive as your prepare for the birth of your child: 1. Remember the power of your words – Words have an amazing ability to affect how our body works. Stop with the negative talk and the negative emotions. Keep in mind that you might have to watch who you are hanging out with. The friends who speak negativity into your life are not who you need right now. You need a positive support system as your progress through your 8 April 2022| PB Parenting |
pregnancy and labor. 2. Do not neglect what gives you joy – If you love music, listen to music! If you go to church, keep going to church! If you are a member of a book club, keep reading those books! Try to the best of your ability to continue doing the things that give you joy. 3. Keep your support system close – Try your best to keep your family and support team close to you. Be open with your wishes regarding your labor, delivery, and childcare. Signs of Labor I developed some signs that can help you figure out if this is true or false labor. If you are at risk for premature birth (vaginal bleeding, cerclage, multiples, previous premature delivery) please consult with your physician at the first sign of discomfort or labor. Here are some labor secrets that the baby might be coming soon: 1. Lightening: When the baby starts moving down you will feel intense pressure on your bladder. Although it does not necessarily mean your delivery will come right then and there, that does mean your labor is going in
