Natural ways to prevent Pre-term child birth

Disclaimer:
Obviously only to be used in addition to, and never in contradiction of your doctor/mid-wife's recommendations.

Nothing being suggested is known to be harmful to you or baby in anyway. If it can't hurt, it's at least worth a try.

1. Drink lots of water. Seriously more than you think you can drink. 96 oz per day or more. Around 4 litres - 1/2 water (so 2 quarts) and 1/2 other liquids (such as milk, orange juice, decaf/herbal teas)

2. Along with this it should be noted to NOT restrict your salt intake. Sodium makes you retain fluids (not always good) but in your case, retaining your fluids is a good thing. Iodized table salt is not very good for you. If possible use UNREFINED sea salt (usually slightly moist and gray in color).

3. Make sure you are getting LOTS of protein. 100 grams per day in general for a healthy pregnancy and to help prevent preterm labor. If/once preterm labor symptoms occur 150-200 grams of protein per day. For every hour you are awake, eat something that contains at least 10 grams of protein. Eggs are excellent. Eat at least 2 or 3 everyday. Eggs also contain choline. A choline is sometimes recommended to help preterm labor, but if you eat a few eggs that should be enough.

4. Omega 3 Fish oil supplement. The best kinds are krill oil, cod liver oil or salmon oil. Good for lots of things in addition to preterm labor like brain and eye development. Very good for mom and baby in general. Believed that the particular form of vitamin E in fish oil can help inhibit the formation of prostaglandins (that effect the cervix) and also reduce cramping.

5. Check to make sure you don't have a undiagnosed infection of any kind (kidney, UTI, lady parts, even gum disease).

6. Probiotic supplement (just eating yogurt is probably not enough). Good for mom and baby in general. Can help treat an imbalance of bacteria in digestive tract and in lady parts. Imbalance of good/bad bacteria can sometimes be enough to irritate the uterus causing contractions. Probiotics in pregnancy and while breastfeeding have been proven to lessen digestive issues, allergies, and eczema in the baby and also prevent thrush and other infections.

7. A liquid calcium/magnesium supplement (in addition to your regular prenatal vitamin). Sometimes the ingredients used in large-scale produced vitamins don't get absorbed well by your system and you end up lacking some, particularly calcium - which may contribute to cramping. Get plenty of dairy since it is a good source of calcium and also protein. Don't eat/drink non/low/reduced fat stuff. Go for the real/whole stuff. Whole milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter.

8. Lack of vitamin C is sometimes associated with premature rupture of membranes, so drink some orange juice.

9. Yoga, relaxation exercises, deep breathing, meditation/prayer have all been shown to help. Also, whatever you can do to reduce stress of any kind.
Take warm baths or even go swimming if the doc/mid-wife says that's ok.

Labour Bag Check-List

Keep your labour bag packed and ready when you hit 36 weeks of pregnancy.

1. Your pregnancy File
2. 3 Sanitary pads Packets(3*10=30)
3. Cotton nighties or salwars(Atleast 3-4 sets)
4. Feeding bras and panties(As many panties)
5. One pair of cheppals
6. Cloth to cover head and ears
7. Recieving blanket for baby
8. Draper for baby
9. Soft towel
10. Soft cotton cloth for his bed
11. Napkin to cover his head
12. 4-5 pairs of baby dresses
13. gloves and socks
14. Two bedsheets
15. Cotton Cloth pieces for cleaning baby's stool
16. Diapers(atleast 2 packs)
17. Apart from these -
18. Admission forms/papers
19. Baby name book
20. Camera and/or video camera
21. Cash
22. Change for the phone/phone card
23. Extra batteries/battery pack
24. Film and tapes
25. Sweets for distribution
26. Health insurance card
27. Pregnancy/birth reference book
28. Snacks for Dad
29. Tooth-brush/paste
30. Shampoo/Soap
31. Garbage bag to hold soiled clothes
32. Comb/Deo/Clips

Birthing Ball - Easy labour

Using a birth ball helps birthing become shorter and easier for moms and babies. It helps babies get in better alignment in the pelvis, and allows mommys to relax deeply in an upright position.



A Birthing Ball is a professional grade physical therapy ball. Birthing Balls can help expectant/laboring women get into positions that are more comfortable and can enhance labor's progress. These positions provide movement to change the position of the baby if necessary. You may first become familiar with a Birthing Ball during childbirth education class or during a tour of the facility in which you will be giving birth. Many expectant parents have even purchased their own Birthing Balls!

How to choose a Birth Ball:

Birth Balls come in many sizes including 53 cm, 65 cm and 75 cm rounds. Bright and colorful, these are NOT the same balls as are sold in toy stores. Professional physical therapy balls are made of slow deflate materials to allow for "dismount" if there is a puncture, no latex, and weight tested to 600 lbs or more.

Ball size - woman's height
53 cm round-under 5' 2"
65 cm round-5' 2" to 5' 8"
75 cm round-over 5' 8"

About the Birthing Ball:

The Birthing Ball should be large enough for you to sit on with legs bent at a 90-degree angle. If you are a tall woman, 5'9'' or taller, you might want to use a ball larger in circumference (see chart above).

Use the Birthing Ball with a "spotter", someone to watch over you, such as a labor nurse or doula. When a mother is pregnant, the center of gravity is altered and you will need someone to help steady yourself to avoid becoming off balanced. You may want to try a birth ball base if a spotter is not always available.

The Birthing Ball should be inflated to the point that is slightly firm but still "gives"; it should roll easily. Faster Blaster pumps take half of the time of foot pumps as they double action pumps.

Always keep sharp objects away from the Birthing Ball.
The Birthing Ball can be used with both the external and internal electronic fetal monitoring, should this become necessary. Check with your labor nurse or doula for the hospital policy regarding the use of the Birthing Ball in your particular situation.

A labor nurse or doula may place a "chux" pad over the ball while the mother is laboring on it. If the water breaks or is leaking while the mother is on the Birthing Ball, a chux will help.

Before purchasing a Birthing Ball, make sure it contains no latex. This is extremely important for clients/patients with known latex allergies.

Why Use This Ball?

Sitting upright and movement on the Birthing Ball enhances descent of the baby through the pelvic bones, taking advantage of gravity.

Sitting on the ball helps keep the baby well aligned in the pelvis.

The Birthing Ball enhances relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles or "Kegels" by conforming to the mother's body without pressure. Sitting on warm compresses on the Birthing Ball will also enhance pelvic floor relaxation.

There is less strain on the hands and arms when mother is in the hands and knees position, leaning over the Birthing Ball. This is helpful if she experiences carpel tunnel syndrome.

Positioning on the Ball may speed up labor through the use of gravity.

Sitting on the Ball can be used as a support while squatting (especially the Egg ball). Squatting helps widen pelvic outlet to its maximum.

You can also use the Ball to curl around should you elect to have epidural anesthesia.

Source : http://www.birthsource.com/scripts/article.asp?articleid=199