Childbirth
Childbirth tips
If you are about to give birth, you would prefer to be at peace and have everything in the house in order for yourself and your baby, so that the delivery on the day itself goes as quickly as possible. We would like to give you some tips that are just handy to know during labor. This will prevent stress for you (or your partner) the moment your contractions have started.
Practical tips for childbirth
- Pack your hospital bag around 36 weeks; it gives peace of mind to have it ready.
- Make sure your bag contains your 040 folder, with the printout of your pregnancy chart and any birth plan if you have one. Also put in any recognition papers you may need for the baby’s registration and your and your partner’s passport or ID card.
- Don’t bring too many things for yourself and your baby if you want to give birth in the hospital. You will go home soon after your delivery, and should it be necessary, you live close to the hospital, so someone can always get you some extra clothes.
- Make sure your phone is charged and put and charger in your hospital bag.
- Make sure your house is well lit and your house number is clearly visible so we can easily find your house in the middle of the night.
- Leave the maternity package in the baby’s room and don’t unpack it! Either way, the midwife likes everything to be together, regardless of whether you want to give birth at home or in the hospital. We need stuff from it. After you give birth, the maternity nurse will also unpack stuff from it.
- Practice in advance how to attach the Maxi-Cosi in the car (it’s really not helpful to test this in the middle of the night during labor for the first time).
Tips during labor
- During your labor, wear a cotton dress (or shirt), no synthetic materials, in that you sweat extra.
- Make sure you have thick socks; you often get warm but keep cold feet during contractions.
- Do not eat spicy food or eat too much. This may bother you during contractions(heartburn among other things).
- Take some sugar snacks (like Dextro, for example) during contractions and drink some water for energy and fluids. That is really enough.
- Find distractions as long as possible when you have some incipient contractions. If you relax, the contractions will have the best chance to progress to dilation contractions. Take a shower, watch a series or try to sleep some more.
- Dim your lights; this works well to create calmness so you can best manage your contractions. If necessary, light a (scented) candle when you are at home. Also in the hospital the rooms are arranged that the lights can be dimmed fine
- Do you have a bathtub? Consider taking a bath during your labor. You don’t have to give birth in the bathtub if you don’t want to, but it often provides pain relief and helps you relax.
- Go pee regularly. A full bladder can thwart your dilation
- We want to avoid stress, so tell us what worries you, what scares you or what inhibits you from relaxing properly.
- We think with you, help you where we can or see what your partner can do, for example, so that you only have to focus on yourself.
Tips for the Dad-to-be
- Support your wife when she feels the need by indicating what to drink or eat.
- Be calmly present while catching the contractions. She will need you sometimes and sometimes not at all. This is different for every woman. The important thing is that you are there and can support her as needed.
- Feel free to chat with us, often you spend a lot of hours, including with the midwife and we like to have a relaxed atmosphere.
- Take an extra set of easy-fitting clothes with you in the hospital, maybe some food. Sometimes you will also stay overnight in the hospital with them if your wife and baby are still staying there.