How to prepare for birth

As we progress through our trimesters, marking down the months, weeks and days until our due date, our thoughts naturally turn to labour.

Although we often hear about the messy, painful bits - for some reason family and friends love to pitch in with their horror stories - there is not much said about the best ways to prepare your body for birth.

But according to Emma Cannon, an acupuncturist and expert in women's health, maternity yoga can be a great way to get in shape and help our muscles grow stronger.

"Yoga is perfect and gentle floor pilates is fine, but [do] nothing that makes you sweat or stretches you too much. Most women are doing a lot anyway and it's better to walk and be active that way, rather than have to do lots of extra classes," she said.

Antenatal acupuncture might be another useful relaxation strategy in the run up to birth, said Ms Cannon, as this can help prepare your body for labour.

"Research shows that it can quicken the second stage of labour and may reduce the need for intervention. Find time to practise some visualisation, hypnotherapy or similar, to prepare your mind for birth. I really believe that if the mind is on board, the experience can be greatly improved."

The health expert also highlighted the importance of getting as much rest as possible ahead of the birth and to prepare your living area for the baby, which means cooking and freezing easy meals that you can warm up quickly while you're busy doting on your newborn.

"This is not a time for running around doing too many last minute jobs, pick what is important [to you] and forget the rest," added Ms Cannon.

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