My Favorite Resources for Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Care | Olympia Newborn Photographer
Over the years I have talked with so many friends and clients about pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experiences, and often I’ve been asked to send a few tips, which usually turns into a gigantic email of resources. So finally I’m compiling it into a single blog post! If you’re reading this now, “Congratulations!” (as you may well be pregnant and looking for suggestions to help you prepare for this life changing time). When it’s your first baby in particular, all of the resources, lists, must-have items, and suggestions out there can be so overwhelming, and sometimes even contradictory. Having been through the process more than once myself, I have been thinking about what resources helped me the most. This blog post is all about my own personal favorite resources specific to preparing for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum care, and my hope is that it helps out other mamas-to-be even the tiniest bit!
Don’t let contradictory advice stress you out before baby arrives
During my first pregnancy, I remember being inundated with contradictory advice about all the stuff I needed to have and it felt so stressful at the time. I would read that I absolutely needed to get a white noise machine and blackout curtains to get my baby to sleep well, then immediately after, I read that I should definitely not get a white noise machine and needed to keep the room light and bright and make lots of noise to adapt him to any situation. This seemed to happen on every topic: stroller vs. carrier pack, infant carseat vs. convertible carseat, the right swaddle or night attire, etc. When it comes down to it, your baby will have their own needs and you will figure it out when you meet them! For now, let’s not worry about the items you need for baby, and focus on preparing you for pregnancy, labor, and postpartum support.
Health and Safety Always Comes First
The health and safety of mom and baby is the most important part of the whole experience. These resources are what helped for my pregnancies and birth experiences, but always use your best judgement and consult your doctor or midwife before taking any recommended supplements, herbs, or medical advice listed within these resources.
My Favorite Resources for Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Care
During Pregnancy
Books - With my first pregnancy, I read SO many books that they have all started to blend together. The ones that stand out to me are:
The Birth Partner - Go ahead and order this book for your partner now. Make sure they start reading it and practicing the tools and techniques in there (like massage for labor). This is my husband’s go-to recommendation for birth parters as well!
Yoga Mama, Yoga Baby - An Ayurvedic approach to pregnancy that I really enjoyed my first time around. It involves a lot of journaling and self reflection, things I had time for pre-children!
Birthing From Within and Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth - Both of these are suggested favorites from my midwife.
Hynobirthing - Finding a class or even just listening to audio tracks is a great way to prepare for labor. If nothing else, it’s super nice and relaxing and can double as a birth-focused meditation.
Prenatal Yoga - Find a prenatal yoga class in-person or online, it really makes all the difference, especially as you enter the second and third trimesters.
A Heating Pad - This is my number one recommendation! I got this specific heating pad when I was pregnant with my second child and it made the entire pregnancy far more comfortable when I experienced pain on my low back near my tailbone. I also used it during labor itself, pushing it into the painful area near my tailbone when contractions came. If you have any sort of back pain, you’ll be so glad you have it. This is one of those items that, if you don’t need it, fine, but if you do, you’ll be so incredibly glad to have on hand.
Birth Classes - There are so many classes out there, so just pick the one that will cover the topics you’re most interested in and fits the best with your schedule. Refresher courses can really jog your memory too!
Doula Support - If you plan to have an unmedicated birth, I highly recommend finding a birth doula. They are so knowledgable and make the process far less overwhelming. I recommend scheduling interviews with local doulas in your area while you’re pregnant to find the doula that feels like the best fit for you.
Maternity Photos - Find a photographer who you resonate with and schedule your maternity photos early. This will make sure your session is scheduled at a time when you’ll still be physically comfortable and you’ll be less likely to miss the opportunity to capture this time that really does fly by (especially if baby decides to come early). This is also a great time to talk to your photographer in more detail about how and when to schedule your newborn photos.
During Labor
(to prep now so you’re ready when the big moment comes)
“The Let Go Trigger” - This is a technique to help keep your body calm and relaxed during contractions. Put the tip of your tongue behind your two front teeth at the spot where your gums and teeth meet. Keep it there as you breathe a full round of breath in and out, and have it remain there for the following inhale. On the exhale, release your tongue while simultaneously thinking the words “Let Go.” Feel the openness from your throat all the way down to your pelvis. Then continue to breathe in and out into that openness. If you can practice this daily and particularly at uncomfortable doctor’s appointments, or any time you start feeling your body tense up from nervousness, it will really help during labor!
Making Deep, Low Sounds - During labor, making deep “ahhh” sounds are way more helpful to your body than any high pitch shouting, screaming, whining, etc. Think of it as creating openness in your whole body. (I believe both Penny Simkin and Ina May Gaskin write about this concept).
Labor Playlist - This is something that can easily be overlooked, but for pre-labor especially, it was really helpful to make my experience so much more fun and relaxing. Pro tip: for my second labor, I had my best friend make me a playlist full of music she thought I’d enjoy, as well as some surprise sing-along songs that made me laugh (including a lot of Disney songs from our childhood and some boy band hits from the 2000s). Laughter really is the best medicine.
Fresh 48 and Newborn Photos - If you’re doing a Fresh 48, make sure to contact your photographer when you go into labor so that they can plan accordingly. If you’re having an At-Home Newborn Session, make sure you know when to let them know about your baby’s birth (usually you can let them know once baby is already safely in your arms).
Postpartum Resources
Book: The First 40 Days - When I had my first son, I read everything I could about labor and birth preparation. I had a doula and was all set with baby clothes, diapers, and supplies. Postpartum preparation never crossed my mind once. My own recovery and what my needs might be were not at all on my radar, so during my second pregnancy, I decided to focus more on the postpartum period, and really enjoyed this book. There are so many great recipes and insights that I appreciated so much.
Mealtrain - If you have a community of friends and family who are able to set up a meal train for you, I definitely recommend it! Adapting to life with a newborn is an adjustment, and knowing that someone else is bringing you dinner or sending delivery is so helpful. This can easily be done as a no-contact option as well!
Postpartum Doula Services - With my first child, our doula’s package included postpartum visits, and it was so wonderful to have her support for all of the random questions that would come up. Even just having her come over to spend an afternoon with me when I was alone with my baby during the day was a great comfort, and I appreciated that time so much.
Phew! That was a lot of information! I hope some of these resources help. No matter what, your birth experience will be exactly as it should be, and in the end you’ll have an incredible tiny little bundle of your own. If you have any questions, please let me know! You can always email me at alice@alicemaliaphotography.com or contact me through my website.
