There is always a sense of urgency during pregnancy about ‘The Birth’. But at the beginning part of your pregnancy, The Birth seems far in the distance.
There are so many adjustments you make during the first 24 weeks (6 months) of pregnancy. At first, you just have to adjust to coming to grips with the reality of being pregnant. Then you have to deal with any morning sickness you might have and you might be dealing with morning sickness while working or parenting other children.
On top of that you know you’re pregnant but you’re not ‘showing’ yet so you just feel fat besides your breasts can be very sore and the last thing you might want is to have sex. And all of these changes occur within the first 12 weeks!
Between 12-24 weeks pregnancy gives you much relief in all probability. You’ve probably had one or more ultra-sound at this point but usually can’t feel your baby move until 20 weeks +. And then something happens about 24 weeks.
Your uterus has grown to the level of your navel, Everyone can see you’re pregnant. You and perhaps your partner can feel your baby’s movements. The Birth begins to loom larger and larger as each week passes. At 24 weeks pregnant you have only 16 weeks before you give birth. If you’re 36 weeks into your pregnancy you have only 4 weeks … more or less. The sense of urgency, anticipation, anxiety, and excitement grow with each week your pregnant belly expands.
When do you ask yourself these questions?
As you get closer and closer to your approximate due date, you will probably start asking yourself some difficult questions. Am I truly prepared for my birth? Do I believe my birth coach knows what to do and how to help me birth better? In my deepest core, in my heart of hearts, do I feel like I have the childbirth skills and knowledge required so I can make my birth the best it can possibly be?
If you honestly aren’t sure how you would answer these questions with a resounding YES, remember one thing: it isn’t too late to begin learning the birth skills you need so you can answer yes to all of the above with confidence. At 24 weeks your birth is right around the corner.
Start now
As close to 24 weeks is the best time to prepare your pregnant body to become a birthing body. If you’re at 40 weeks + just learn as many birth and birth-coaching skills as possible. Any skill is better than not having any!
At 32 weeks start preparing your birth canal.
From 24 weeks onward as you prepare your pregnant body to birth also learn the birth and birth-coaching skill. Learning and practicing skills is not rocket science nor takes heaps of time … 5 minutes or so each day.
Then do birth
Once you’ve learned and practiced your skills then use them throughout the Time it takes to birth your baby.
Birthing Better skills were developed by moms and dads in the early 1970s in the US and used by many thousands globally in all types of birth. Birthing Better online birthing classes are housed in Common Knowledge Trust.