10 Ways To Prepare For Labour & Birth

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster journey for most women. From the lows of morning sickness (read: all day sickness), food aversions and swollen feet, to the highs of hearing tiny heartbeats, growing bellies and that elusive pregnancy glow. Preparation for labour and birth can be daunting and honestly, a tad scary!

We’ve made your journey slightly easier with our 10 Ways To Prepare For Labour & Birth;

1. Stretch Mark Cream

Whilst growing bellies are beautiful and an absolute miracle, the skin on your stomach can start to feel itchy and dry as it works hard to stretch and grow. Mère Botanicals’ Stretch Mark Cream is a beautifully created, non-greasy formulation of moisturising active botanicals that naturally soothes, softens and hydrates. Providing a nurturing foundation of herbs that condition the skin and supports elasticity, this lush cream is blended with hydrating oils. Apply 2-3 times daily to clean skin and gently massage until fully absorbed for soft & supple skin.

2. Journal

Follow your pregnancy journey closely with My Pregnancy Journal by Riga Forbes. The journal breaks down month by month and week by week the phases of your pregnancy so you can plan and collect memories, as well as offering advice on wide-ranging themes from health and community to stress and worries about pregnancy to baby names.

3. Affirmation cards

Self-affirmation cards are designed to help you re-program any limiting beliefs, negative inner narratives, anxieties and fears. In doing so, allowing you to realise your dreams and your goals! Simply put, your body achieves what your mind believes, and these positive mantra cards have been meticulously created to honour you where you are, while helping to guide you towards where you would like to go. A must for the hospital bag and for your preparations for pregnancy, labour & birth.

The Pregnancy and Birth Affirmation Cards from Seasons of Mama includes 31 cards, each with their own hand-drawn illustrations. They also include two blank affirmation cards for you to include your own affirmation/mantra or perhaps an older sibling would like to create one for you in the form of words or pictures. Display the cards in the included handcrafted stand throughout pregnancy & labour for the ultimate ‘Doula in your pocket’!

4. Bath & foot soak

Our bodies get very tired and sore from growing and carrying our little humans all day long. Fluid retention can also make swollen feet, ankles and hands very uncomfortable. Take a load off and relax in a warm (not hot) bath or a foot bath with the Seasons of Mama – Mama Soak. Ideal for pregnancy, postpartum & beyond, this restorative bath soak promotes deep rest & relaxation of the body, mind & spirit. Organic herbs & botanicals are hand blended with pure Ayervedic oil for a nourishing bathing ritual. Heaven!

5. Relax & read

Following on from a luscious bath or foot soak, keep those relaxed feelings flowing with a fabulous read; The Motherhood by Jamila Rizvi.
The journey into motherhood can be daunting and overwhelming but know that you are not alone. The Motherhood is a beautiful book of letters from the likes of Zoe Foster Blake, Em Rusciano, Clare Bowditch and many more, writing to their past selves with what they wish they knew when they entered the world of motherhood.

Each story is different, inspiring, funny, sad and an insight into the struggles and triumphs each woman has had a mother.

This book is a must-have for every new mother, so gift it to yourself, your best friend or the mum you know that needs to read it!

6. Perineal massage

Perineal Massage is a beautifully natural way to nourish and prepare the delicate perineal skin in preparation for birth with regular massage with the Perineal Massage Oil from Mère Botanicals. A beautiful blend of Sweet Almond Oil combined with Calendula and Hypericum infused oils to keep skin soft, flexible and relaxed, ready for childbirth.

How to do it:

Use peri massage oil from 34 weeks, 3-4 times per week, for 5-10 minutes.
Ideally use in the shower or after a bath.
Pour a small amount of oil into your hand and cover your thumb and index finger and massage the perineum, vaginal opening and wall gently.

7. Raspberry leaf tea

Mère Botanicals Organic Raspberry leaf tea is a lovely natural way to support a healthy pregnancy and strengthen and tone the uterus in preparation for childbirth. Raspberry leaf is also used to support and strengthen uterine health post birth which is a plus.

You can start drinking Raspberry leaf tea from around 32 weeks and gradually build up your cups per day.

8. Natural pain relief

Pain relief for labour & birth is a deeply personal preference. Say hello to Seasons of Mama’s Reflexology Comb. This natural and very effective pain management tool helps women in labour by activating Gate Control Theory. This asserts that when painful stimuli (such as a contraction) is felt at the same time as non-painful stimuli (such as with this acupressure tool) pain signals are then limited from reaching the brain.

This is what we refer to as a 'secret weapon' for labour and is a tool loved by midwives, doulas and birthing mamas alike. The comb earns bonus points for being waterproof, unlike timber alternatives.

9. Clary Sage

Clary sage is an essential oil that’s commonly used during labour and birth. It is known for its calming and pain soothing properties. This beautiful and convenient Clary Sage Roller from Mere Botanicals is designed to be used from 40 weeks pregnant and/or when in labour. Just apply to your wrists, belly or soles of your feet.

10. Birth Kits

The ultimate in labour & birth preparation, the Mere Botanicals Birth Kits are the kit and caboodle! Including all of Mere Botanicals top products for birth preparation, they really are fabulous kits. You can choose between the Original Birth Kit or the Caesarean Birth Kit for those with planned C-sections.