Getting ready to give birth isn’t just about picking baby names and packing your hospital bag. As you head into the final stretch of pregnancy, you’ll want to prepare your body and mind for the changes ahead. Here are 14 essential ways to prepare to give birth that will help you feel physically, mentally and emotionally ready for delivery day.
There are so many exciting things ahead in your pregnancy – picking baby names, buying teeny tiny clothes, kitting out the nursery, choosing all the fun baby gear, and indulging in a few cravings along the way.
But there are also things that can bring stress and sleepless nights – the last thing you need while pregnant. These tips will help you get “in the zone” and set you up for a positive birth experience.
If you’re expecting a baby in the coming weeks or months, here are some things worth thinking through as you prepare to give birth.
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Prepare to Give Birth: Get in the Mindset
1. Remember Your Due Date is Just an Estimate
Your estimated due date is calculated by adding 280 days to the first day of your last menstrual period, but the chance of delivering on that exact date is small. Your baby is likely to arrive any time between 37 and 42 weeks.
Fixating on one particular date can lead to disappointment when it comes and goes and you’re still pregnant. It can also mean a flurry of well-meaning calls and texts asking if you’ve had the baby yet – cute the first time, less so after that.
If anyone asks when you’re due, a ballpark answer works just fine – “end of November”, “mid-June”, and so on.
2. Organise Your Maternity Leave
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If you’re pregnant while in employment in Ireland, you’re entitled to statutory maternity leave, with the option of additional unpaid leave afterwards.
You’ll usually need to give your employer a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy and written notice ahead of your leave starting. It’s worth checking current entitlements and notice periods on mywelfare.ie before you plan your dates, as timelines and conditions can change.
Giving your employer notice a little earlier than required can also help if you need time off for check-ups, or if your job needs to be reviewed for health and safety reasons.
3. Plan for Paternity Leave
Dads and partners in Ireland can also avail of statutory paternity leave, taken in one continuous block within a set period following the baby’s birth. Applications for paternity benefit are made online at www.mywelfare.ie – it’s worth checking the current entitlement and applying in good time, as you’ll want all the help you can get in those early weeks.
4. Book Your Antenatal Classes
Prepare to give birth by stocking up on informative advice and building your confidence along the way. Antenatal classes are usually available through your maternity hospital and cover topics like making a birth plan, looking after yourself during and after pregnancy, pain relief options, what to expect in labour, and caring for your newborn. It’s generally recommended to start classes 8–10 weeks before your due date.
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5. Develop a Positive State of Mind
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It’s entirely normal to feel nervous, to fear the pain, or to worry about how the birth will go – and for that reason, it’s worth considering hypnobirthing.
Hypnobirthing combines an understanding of birth physiology with techniques that help you approach birth calmly and with more of a sense of control. It’s a form of natural relaxation that can help put things in perspective. Some parents also find it supports faster recovery, better sleep, and early bonding with their baby.
6. Avoid Traumatic Tales
Everyone has that one friend, neighbour or well-meaning auntie with a dramatic birth story to share. Try to steer clear of unhelpful horror stories in the run-up to your own birth, especially if you’re already feeling nervous.
Remember, for every difficult experience there are plenty more mums with a calm, positive story to tell.
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7. Take Care of Your Body
Looking after your health matters throughout pregnancy, and especially as your due date gets closer. Eat plenty of whole, healthy foods, stay hydrated, rest when you need to, and try to keep moving – even a short 15-minute walk each day can help.
Regular gentle activity can support the strength and stamina you’ll want in the later stages of pregnancy, and may help you cope with the physical demands of labour.
8. Prepare Your Hospital Bag in Advance
As you head into the final month, it’s worth having your bag packed and ready so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. Leave it somewhere easy to grab in a hurry, and take the pressure off yourself early.
Start by washing and drying your baby’s new clothes, then lay out your essentials for packing. Space on hospital wards is limited, so pack lightly. Some parents like to have a separate labour ward bag and a second bag for the hospital stay afterwards. And remember – if you forget something, your partner or a family member can always drop it in to you.
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9. Prepare Your Family
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If this is your second or subsequent pregnancy, it’s a good time to start preparing your child for a new sibling. Younger toddlers and preschoolers may not be thrilled at the idea of a new arrival, while older children might need some reassurance that you’ll still have time for them. It’s worth planning who will look after your children when you go into labour – including a middle-of-the-night backup plan, just in case.
If this is your first baby, you may need to think about things like pet care or arranging transport to the hospital. Whatever your plans, sort them well in advance so there’s no last-minute panic as your due date approaches.
10. Practice Mindfulness
Research suggests that practising mindfulness can support the wellbeing of both mums and babies. Fear of the unknown affects most expectant parents, but building some simple mindfulness skills can help you manage that anxiety and may help lower the risk of prenatal and postnatal depression.
11. Think About Pain Relief
As you move into the final trimester, it’s worth thinking through your pain relief options. There are several ways to cope with pain in labour – some parents find gentle massage or time in water helpful, while others opt for pain-relieving drugs such as gas and air, pethidine, or an epidural. Talk through your options with your midwife or obstetrician to find what feels right for you.
Whatever you plan, it’s worth keeping an open mind. Labour doesn’t always go to plan, and your approach to pain relief may need to change as things progress.
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12. Pick a Birth Partner
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Your birth partner might be your spouse, a friend, or a family member – the key is choosing someone who will keep you calm and focused, and who you trust to speak up for you if needed.
Ahead of the birth, spend some time with your birth partner talking through your wishes. Let them know how you’d like to be supported in labour, and cover a few different scenarios. Birth partners can sometimes feel a little lost in the labour room, but with a plan in place, they’ll have a clearer sense of what’s expected of them and can advocate for you if you need extra support.
13. Massage Your Perineum
It might sound unusual, but perineal massage in the weeks before your due date is one way to help prepare your body for birth. Regular massage can improve blood flow and elasticity in the area, helping it stretch more easily during labour.
Some research suggests perineal massage may reduce the likelihood of tearing during delivery – it’s worth asking your midwife about the right technique if you’d like to try it.
14. Trust Your Instincts
If anything worries you, reach out to your care provider straight away. And finally, try to relax and take things easy in these last few weeks – because once your baby arrives, life changes forever, in the best possible way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start preparing to give birth?
Most parents find it helpful to start practical preparations, like packing a hospital bag and booking antenatal classes, around 8–10 weeks before their due date. Emotional and mindset preparation – like practising mindfulness or discussing pain relief options – can start any time that feels right for you.
What should I put in my hospital bag?
Pack lightly and focus on essentials for you and your baby – comfortable clothing, toiletries, phone charger, and going-home outfits. Some parents pack a separate bag for the labour ward and another for the hospital stay afterwards.
Do I need a birth partner?
It’s entirely your choice, but many parents find it reassuring to have someone with them who knows their wishes and can advocate for them during labour. This can be a partner, family member, or close friend.
What are my options for pain relief during labour?
Options range from gentle approaches like massage and water immersion to medical pain relief such as gas and air, pethidine, or an epidural. Your midwife or obstetrician can talk you through what’s available and suited to your circumstances.
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Save This For Later
Getting ready for birth involves a lot of moving parts. Save this article now so you can come back to it as your due date gets closer, or share it with a friend who’s expecting.
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