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Having a great birth takes a combination of several elements. Primarily the health of both mother and infant is the most important factor.

To assure your health and the health of your infant there are a few things you can do. Firstly ignore the wives tales of eating for two, and staying in bed. The more you walk during the pregnancy, especially toward the end, and during labor, the faster the baby will come. Walking keeps you fit and gravity helps baby get into the right spot. The healthier your muscles are and the more you exercise, the stronger you will be through your labor. Do not take on new crazy fitness routines, ride a bike or do anything where you could fall, but walking, and light exercise are your new best friend.

Food becomes a great friend too. No you can't just stuff your face and eat anything. What you want is a healthy balanced diet according to the food guide with an extra serving of your favorite food group every day. Taking a multivitamin is a good idea too. Some people think "I take a vitamin, I don't need to eat healthy". Wrong. Follow the food guide!

Now that you're getting ready for labor after months of healthy eating and exercise, you want to know "how do I get through this".
Firstly you need to be comfortable.
Two choices here. Home or Away.
Either way you need to go to where you will be having your baby and make sure that everything you need is in place. Your favorite pillow, comfortable clothing. Get used to the environment where you will be having the baby. Make it your zone. Know where the shower or tub is, know where you can go for a walk. Pick your support people, have them with you when you go into labor.

I had a home birth which was much more comfortable than my hospital births because I was in my own bed. I was looking at pictures of my daughter, listening to music and doing what I would normally do on any Friday afternoon. My family popped in and out as usual and it was pretty stress free and relaxed. I knew where I was, I was in my room, my zone. Where I was all the time. Comfortable.
If hospitals make you uneasy, don't give birth there if you don't have to!
The nice thing was not having strangers there. The only people in my home were family members and midwives whom I had gotten to know over the last nine months and who were like family after knowing them so long.

Not having pain killers makes labor shorter as well. I didn't take anything but laughter. A hand to hold, some rocking motions and a shower. Thats all you need really. The contractions are there to tell you where the baby is and when to push. If you are healthy and strong you'll be able to cope. They don't get real bad until the end.

Laughing during a contraction can hurt, but just at the start. I had two crazy people making me laugh, my best friend and boyfriend constantly making wise cracks and getting me going! Great for the muscles. Great for the mood.

Showers feel great. Take one. Walk around. Stay upright a bit. Make sure you have someone or something to grab onto when you get a contraction as they can really get bad. Have your partner follow you around with a chair if you need it. Use the back and stand during the contraction or sit if its that bad.
Ride out the contractions, get used to them they're around for a while. Get used to the pain because they get worse. Just learn to breathe with each one. Jump right on that wave and ride it. It will start off horribly painful like a cramp, then it will push pressure through your back and belly. Eventually it will tapper down.

Relax, keep calm. Everything will go as planned and if not, you have medical professionals who's hands are capable of assuring your health and the health of your child.

Have a happy labor!

Learn more about this author, Rycharde Angel.
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