The best time for you to deliver your baby is 39 weeks or later. Many physiological changes occur in the last 3-4 weeks of your pregnancy to help your baby prepare for extrauterine life. If you have a short cervix, premature labor, or risk for preterm delivery, you should AVOID intercourse. Having sex can stimulate labor and potentially a preterm birth. Babies born early can have many problems with feeding, breathing, temperature, infection, and glucose control and other problems. Your baby may have to be admitted to NICU. Unless its medically indicated for you to deliver early, wait it out, let your body and baby do the work. For more information check out March of Dimes article “Why at least 39 weeks is BEST for your baby”.
Baby Safety Tip
It is NOT recommended to post birth announcements in the paper or on social media. It is not recommended to place a stork in your front yard. Safeguard your home and pool BEFORE the baby comes home from the hospital. Check out safety tips from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (NCMEC)
Breastfeeding
If your planning to breastfeed, it may be helpful to take a breastfeeding class to get familiar with the process. Some women may have challenges if you have various health problems like hypothyroidism, or breast surgery or if the baby is premature. Most hospitals have classes.
Laboring down
Pushing can be very exhausting. Also if you have an epidural you may not have an urge to push. Even if you are 10 centimeters, its best to wait until you have a strong urge to push, to start pushing. By sitting up and changing positions let your body do the work and bring the baby down until you have a strong urge to push.
Its your body and your baby
It’s best to let nature take its course and let your body go into labor naturally. Many women elect to be induced which can lead to longer labors, infection, hemorrhage, cesarean section and other problems for mom and baby. Induction of labor should only occur if there is a MEDICAL reason to be induced.
Convenience is not a medical reason. High blood pressure, low amniotic fluid, postdates, are just a few reasons. ACOG has other information on this for women. If someone is worried about how big the baby is, ask for an ultrasound for fetal weight. Ive seen people have a c-section for a expected 9 lb. baby that turns out to be 6 lb. baby that could have been delivered vaginally. Ultrasounds can be off a pound or so.
Recovery from C-Section
Did you know that the recovery from a C-Section is much harder than a vaginal delivery? Elective C-Sections for first time moms should only be done when medically indicated.