Because I’m delivering this baby in a new city this time around, I’m working with a new doula and I thought I’d share the tips to prepare for labor that she shared with me at our most recent appointment. Many of these tips and supplements are ones I used during my last pregnancy (and I’d say they were effective!), but some of them are new to me, too.
Note: This post is not a substitute for medical advice nor is it a prescription. You should always consult with your own doctor before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle. Around the 36 to 37 week mark, here’s what I add to my routine to help encourage a better labor and delivery experience. Other than eating dates, walking, and squatting, which should be safe at any time during an uneventful pregnancy, I wouldn’t start taking these extra supplements any earlier than 36 weeks just to make sure you don’t accidentally encourage preterm labor. (None of these supplements should be capable of inducing labor before you’re ready, but I prefer to stay on the safe side!) — What about Evening Primrose Oil? A common recommendation from midwives and doulas is to take Evening Primrose Oil either orally or vaginally starting around 37 weeks, as it’s thought to help ripen your cervix. I did sporadically use it orally during my last pregnancy, but upon doing further research, I found this study which showed that EPO taken orally does not help to shorten gestation or overall length of labor, and in some cases it actually increased the incidence of interventions. (In other words, even if it does ripen your cervix, there doesn’t seem to be an overall benefit from that.) Because I can’t find sufficient evidence that this supplement is safe or effective, I’m not including it in my list above, even though it does remain a very common recommendation in the natural health community. Other than these extra supplements listed above, the only things I’ve added to my routine during this pregnancy have been:
Prenatal vitamins. I mostly take these during the first trimester, then gradually fizzle out as my diet and appetite improve. Magnesium. I usually start taking this in the second trimester to prevent leg cramps and constipation, as well as to help regulate blood sugar. Vitamin C. Since immunity is compromised during pregnancy, I take this for a boost and hope it will help prevent a positive Group B Strep result this time around. (I was GBS+ last time!) Probiotics. I also take these in the hopes to avoid a positive Group B Strep result and promote good bacteria in my gut. Collagen Peptides. I started using this again as a smoothie supplement during my third trimester, in the hopes that it would promote skin elasticity as my baby continues to grow. Udo’s DHA Oil. DHA is crucial to developing brain, eye, and heart health in infants and children, so I like to up my intake using high-quality algae oil. (Fish get their DHA content by eating algae, too, so this is cutting out the middle man.)
I regretted not writing down everything I did during my last pregnancy, so I hope that this list will help anyone in a similar position that might want to help their bodies prepare for the big day. While we can’t naturally control how or when we’ll go into labor, it’s nice to feel like we’re doing something proactive in the process! — Reader Feedback: Did you do anything special to prepare for labor? I’d love to hear more tips and tricks in the comments below!
