Preparing for Childbirth
        Even though childbirth is a natural part of life, if you are having an unassisted birth, homebirth, or hospital vaginal birth you will need to prepare your body.  This will help you have a healthy baby and happy birth.  Along with your physical body you will need to prepare your mind and your home for the new baby.  Always remember, be extra special to yourself during your pregnancy because you will probably not have much time to yourself for the first few months the baby is around, babies need a lot of attention.

           First of all in the case of all forms of birth do as much research as you can.  Decide if you are going to breastfeed, how you plan on raising your new child, how and where you want to give birth and what to do in case of emergancy.  If you are planning an unassisted birth I recommend you have at least two midwifery textbooks on hand in case of anything going wrong, which it probably won't. 
          Next, it is important to exercise.  Exercise not only helps keep you in shape and will help you get back in shape after the birth of your baby but will keep you healthy.  Plus, being physically fit will help you in birth, be sure to exercise the muscles of the vagina as much as you can, this can be accomplished through regular sexual activity.  Many women increase their exercise in the latter part of their pregnancy.  Walking is wonderful exercise and there are special yoga routines for pregnant women.  Kegel exercises are really good for birth.  Belly dancing is also a wonderful form of exercises and is full of pelvic thrusts helpful in getting those muscles ready for birth. 
            Be sure you are eatting a healthy diet.  Some substances to avoid are chemicals, pesticides, caffinee, MSG, fake foods, and artificial sweetners.  Also, take in more protein and a little more daily fat.  If you are vegan be sure you are getting enough protein.  Some women follow a special diet rigidly, others do not.  I personally feel you can eat whatever you want as long as you are getting a balanced diet in the end.  Going along with watching what you consume, definately avoid alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, smoke, and prescription drugs.  Some herbs should also be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy such as basil, mandrake, celery seed, savory, marjoram, saffron, nutmeg, paresely, tarrgon, sage, fresh horseradish, rosemary, yarrom, senna, aloe vera, watercress and thyme, angelica, bayberry, male fern, loveage, rhubarb root, buchu, cascara sagrada, mugwort, sheperds purse, pennyroyal, tansy, and wormwort.  Ginger is also not recommended except in exteremly small amounts for nusea or heartburn. 
        Ciruclation is really important for childbrith.  If you sleep on your left side it will help your circulation.  Massage can be a great help.  It's a good idea to vigorously massage your abdomen, perineum, and labia twice a day with olive oil.  The massage increases bloodflow to these areas.  At around three to six weeks until birth have your partner, or you, massage and stretch your perineum for around 15 minutes each night with warm olive oil or castor oil. 
         Taking good care of yourself is always good, but taking care of yourself when you're pregnant is even more important.  Be sure to rest each day.  Take naps.  Support your abdomen with a pregnancy belt.  Avoid overheating and exhaustion.  Drink plenty of fluids to avoid bladder infections.
         Some people say to avoid travel.  I don't think this is necessary, unless it is air travel.  There are people who say not to fly at all, other people disagree and say it is okay to fly only in your second trimester.  Regradless, with flying there are greater risks of still births and miscarriages.  It is also said to stay away from microwaved food, video display terminals, waterbed, fumes from cleaning prodcuts, hot tubs, and sunas.  Try to avoid X-rays at this time and if you should need one be sure to inform the X-ray technician that you are pregnant and even how far along you are.  You should not clean cat's litter bins or reptile cages either, for they carry many diseases that are ecspecially harmful during pregnancy.  Other things to watch out for are hair dyes, vaccinations, undercooked or raw meat, paint fumes, and mercury vapours in dentist offices.  When getting fillings avoid mecury or composite fillings, inform your dentist you are pregnant and do not want these sort of fillings for that reason.
              Some previously unmention suggestions are to talk to your baby each day.  Avoid negative thoughts or stress.  Let your unborn child know how much he/she is loved and wanted.  Visuslaise the birth you want for 15 to 30 minutes a day, this will help you "practice."  Say pregnancy and birth affirmations each day, if it helps post them up around the house.  A few examples of birth affirmations are "I am not afraid," "During birth and labour I am completely relaxed and comfortable," and "My baby is healthy."  Listen to your inner voice.  Some people find it helpful to meditate to do this.  Go over any fears you have and dispel them with education and visualise them not becoming a reality. 

           Childbirth is a very speical time in a woman's life.  Here are some tips for an easy birth.  Shower, the water helps and will massage you.  Keep the room and mother warm.  Massage the mother's preineum with oil, the inside also.  Be sure to support the preineum as it is likely to tear.  Be careful to keep the area pink, if a spot turns white it is about to tear and you can rub it to get the blood flowing back in it.  A warm compress on the preineum encourages stretching and prevents tearing also.  Hot baths are good ideas too if the water has not yet broken.  Walk around, belly dance, sing, chant, be silent, but listen to your inner voice.  Movement will help.  Attempt many positions such as sitting, squatting, standing, and kneeling birth positions.  If you want you can check your cervix to see how dialated you are, but you do not have to.  When the baby's head comes out, check to be sure that the cord is not wrapped around the baby's neck, if it is pull it either around a shoulder or over the top of the head.  If you cannot do either hold the head toward your thigh and allow the body to summersualt out.            After a baby is born, there are also more suggested courses of actions or tips to consider.  One is not to cut the cord until is has stopped pulsating and the baby is breathing, the placenta may already be out.  If you wish to have a lotus birth you may not cut the cord at all.  Cut the cord with a sterilised pair of scissors, any pair of sharp scissors will do.  To sterilise the scissors boil them for thirty minutes.  Examine the uterus to be sure it is still in tact, you do not want any pieces left in your uterus.  Nurse soon after you birth, this helps the uterus to contract.  Gently rub the whitish coat on your baby's skin.  A midwive's secret is to rub some of the whitish substance onto your face for beautiful young looking skin.  If your baby is not breathing a hot bat, cold bath, or rubbing the bottom of the feet may help.  Massage your abdomen until your uterus feels as firm as a grapefruit.