Birth is a marathon and its vital to prepare and get your head in the game. Start early - focus on ideal nutrition to not only grow a healthy baby, but build muscle and strength in your uterus, core and body so your labour is powerful, efficient and easier.  Increase your protein and keep hydrated - you need much more fluid and protein in pregnancy than when you are not pregnant.  See our Nutrition page for more information.  

The next steps are to get fit or fitter and start moving, using your body, getting your baby into an optimal position for birth, and your muscles strong to sustain you through the marathon of labour.  Join a pregnancy Yoga class or search some free links on YouTube for pregnancy preparation and stretches.  Get walking every day. Do aqua walking or aqua natal classes.  Get squatting and lunging.  Do hip circles every day: circle both ways, and then make a figure-8 with your hips. This is very helpful in labour as well. 

From 36 weeks aim to walk briskly for a solid 30-60 minutes every day.  

Climbing stairs is very good for helping baby get into a good position and we often recommend this in labour as well.  Walkup your stairs then try is going sideways as well. 

As your baby grows your midwife will tell you what position they are in and give you some stretches and movements to help line baby up with the pelvis and get into an anterior position.  She will offer you a peanut ball to use from 35 weeks and in labour, but it's up to you to commit to doing these preparations. 

Below are some natural remedies that also greatly benefit and prepare your body for birth.