Both birth and babies can be exhausting - both physically and emotionally. Culturally we talk about how painful labour is and about how our babies must sleep through with little mention of managing the exhaustion.
When thinking about birth and babies, expect to be tired that way you can think about what you might need, how you can manage that and how it can impact the decisions you make.
rest - this crucial in labour, especially if it is over several hours when positions, food, water and pain management can all be important. And when your baby is here food, drinks, time in bed, simple days and being looked after where possible all make a difference.
positions - comfortable positions so you can rest, lean and move makes a huge difference and this might mean you are on a bed if that is comfortable and working for you.
using pillows and making your bed and your sofa comfortable spaces where you can cuddle and feed your baby will also allow you to manage your tiredness.food & water - make sure you eat and drink well and often in labour, for birth and when your baby is here otherwise you can flag. This sounds really simple but it’s really easy to forget these basic needs.
have plenty of healthy snacks and water available for labour and around the house for you to use when you have your baby.support - feeling safe and supported in labour may mean you are able to rest and when your baby is here, asking for and accepting help so you can rest, sleep and have some baby-free time can help you.
There’s no easy solution for feeling tired in labour or as a parent but it helps to be better prepared so you can plan for what you might need. Think about what could be helpful for you for birth and at home with your baby.
Please do leave a comment with any questions.