Your body is incredible. Here you are, growing another person inside you, and the third trimester of pregnancy is when it all comes together. Even in utero, babies have a routine which you will learn to recognise as they wriggle and kick, letting you know that they are not ready to go to sleep just because you’re tired, or that they didn’t appreciate your spicy dinner! Feeling them move will strengthen the emotional mother/baby connection. It’s a precious time no one else can share.
It is natural to feel tired as you progress through the last stage of pregnancy but instead of letting that feeling take over, here is how you can empower yourself for a positive birth experience.
Knowledge is Power
The more you know, the more informed your choices will be, which can only mean a better outcome for you and your baby. If you are considering a home birth, talk to your midwife about preparing for this and have a solid plan B in case you are not at home when you go into labour, or your birth requires medical assistance. Investigate the hospitals and birthing centres near you and arrange visits so you can see the facilities and meet the staff in person.
Enjoy Your Pregnancy
To paraphrase a cliche, pregnancy is as much about the journey as it is about the destination. As well as preparing for your new arrival, take the time to appreciate how fantastic the last phase of your pregnancy is. Enjoy the sensation of being voluptuously fertile, embrace the changes in your body and celebrate its power. Be mindful in your actions – take the time to appreciate and wonder at the somersaulting sensation of your baby turning around, luxuriate in the sheer pleasure of resting your tired feet, and love the glow your skin has thanks to increased blood flow.
Prepare Your Body
If you’ve never given birth before you may be surprised at how physical giving birth is, requiring massive amounts of strength and endurance. Staying active with gentle exercise like walking and swimming during your pregnancy is hugely beneficial, as are antenatal yoga and meditation classes. Raspberry leaf tea is believed to help strengthen uterine walls, and it is also packed with vitamins and minerals like calcium and potassium.
Instead of counting down the days of your last trimester, make every day count. The days will fly by and, before you know it, you’ll be holding your adorable bundle in your arms.