Hello! About two months ago, I had a sweet little baby. This was number four and I think I've figured out the most important things (for me at least) to take care of before I give birth. Here's my list:
1. Get Eyelash ExtensionsHaving eyelash extensions helps me feel pretty! Especially when a lot of my other physical appearance isn't my best. Plus feeling pretty adds to my confidence and happiness which isn't always easy when there's a bunch of postpartum hormones. An added bonus is that I don't have to take the time to do my makeup which is really helpful when starting to take care of a newborn.
2. Get Waxed
This is one of my favorite things to do before giving birth! I have a whole list of things I do to reduce perennial tearing, but sometimes it just happens. When it does, you will get some stitches (hopefully not many). Although medically it doesn't matter whether you shave down there or not, it still is really nice. IMO, it's just very convenient to not have hair anywhere close to where you have stitches! I usually wax before giving birth (instead of shaving) since it lasts a lot longer. My favorite place to get waxed in the SLC area is Radiant Waxing. I've gotten Brazilian waxes at other places and it hurt pretty bad and the process took a long time. At Radiant Waxing (this post is not sponsored in any way by them btw), they have a different method that makes it quick and relatively pain-free! Seriously, it's not even bad. Plus any pain is just good prep for me to mentally prepare for much more pain during labor 😂
3. Pack hospital bag
It always helps me to feel more prepared to have my hospital bag packed and ready to go. You can check out what I pack to be ready for giving birth at the hospital.
4. Nest!!!
Say what you will but nesting is a real thing! Hard to explain if you haven't experienced it, but it's basically the urge to get your living space ready for baby to come home. For me, this usually means:
🍼 having their bed set up (either a pack 'n' play with the topper or a crib)
🍼 getting their closet ready with clothes (tags off, folded and put away, etc.)
🍼 making sure I have my pump and bottles ready
🍼 ensuring the car seat is ready to go (most hospitals will help you check to make sure it's installed correctly before you go home with baby which is really nice!)
🍼 checking that I have enough of the essentials (diapers, swaddling blankets, and such)
5. Dye hair
I don't know why, but I like having my hair dyed after birth! So I will do this either right before or right after giving birth. I think it's kind of like the eyelash extensions — just helps me feel a little glammed up!
6. Make frozen pads
These are SUPER helpful to have postpartum! And making them after delivery is just like another thing to do. So why not make life easier for yourself and prep them before? Your future self will thank you. Just buy some pads like this (I usually do some maxi and some medium). Grab some witch hazel, soak the pads, and stick them in the freezer!
7. Make some freezer meals
While we're talking about freezers, it is really nice to have some freezer meals. It's usually too much for me to make separate meals beforehand so I suggest just doubling (or tripling!) whatever you're already making. With that in mind, in the weeks leading up to my due date I try to make stuff that's freezer-friendly for dinner anyway.
8. Review the breathing techniques
It sounds silly but the way you breathe really does affect you! Trust me. (This applies to life in general too, not just during labor.) My friend who has given birth without an epidural 5 times sent me some breathing help and it really made a difference. For my first 3 labors, I basically lost control and just wanted the epidural after an hour of contractions haha. But with my last one I was able to breathe through and handle 20 hours of labor before getting an epidural! And it really helped in so many ways. Here's the link to her breathing tips: (Basically breathe in for 8 counts and then hold it for 4 counts and then breathe out for 8 counts, then repeat.)
9. Take ring off
If you're like me and have a wedding ring with a non-flush fit, you might want to take it off too. My fingers got swollen enough with my first delivery that I couldn't take it off until a few days after I got home from the hospital. One accidental scratch to my baby while I was changing his diaper, and lesson learned! It's best just to leave those jaggedy jewels off until the baby is a few months old, IMO.
10. Arrange childcare for other kids
It was very reassuring to know that I had good people ready to help watch my other kids when I went into labor.
11. Mentally clear
Last but not least, mentally prepare to freaking have your baby! Let your to-do list go, and be at peace with everything enough to let your body do its thing. With babies #1, #2, and #4 I went into labor on my own. But with baby #3, I had to be induced and I think that (at least) part of the reason was I did not mentally let go of my to do list to have the baby!
There you have it. My 11 things that I do before having a baby :D