12_BT_December2019

Bump to Birth
Giving Birth
What you can do to
ease the symptoms
The symptoms of prodromal labor
may be mild enough to ignore, or,
they could be strong enough to cause
anxiety and uneasiness in a mom-tobe.
Besides that, the wait for the real
thing could also take a toll on some
women who are going through this
phase of pregnancy. Here are some tips
you can try to ease the situation.
Find ways to relax and de-stress
through it all
Listening to music or taking a walk or
simply finding ways to rest will ease
the pain and calm the mind. The same
methods of natural pain relief during
labor can be applied to prodromal labor
as well, such as your Lamaze Breathing
technique, your TENS machine, your
yoga ball light bouncing technique or
even a loving massage
from your partner!
Any of these
may help, as
they will during
the upcoming
real thing.
Take the weight off with a warm
water soak
Fill your bath tub with warm (the warmest
that’s comfortable for you) and soak
for a bit. It will help give you a sense of
weightlessness, and will help ease some
of the uncomfortable sensations.
Watch your
sleeping position
During the prodromal labour
period, pay attention towards
your sleeping position, for it
can either help ease some of
the pains, or make it worse.
Switch your sleeping position
around till you find the most
comfortable one, e.g. one that
places the least amount of
pressure on your belly.
Eat well and stay hydrated
Nutrition has been important to your
body from day one, and it remains even
now. You’ll need to be in great shape,
with ample energy to go through
labour. So, during this prodromal
labour period, treat your body well
with nutritious food and stay hydrated,
so that you’ll be in your best condition
to give birth.
In conclusion
Prodromal labor is something
that most pregnant women will
experience in the last stages of
their pregnancy. The symptoms
vary from woman to woman,
for some may have milder
experiences, while others may
feel it in full force. Whichever
side of the scale you find
yourself in, remember that your
body knows what’s best for you,
so keep calm and let it prepare
you for giving birth!
24 BabyTalk | December 2019