1.get my head around giving birth

How can we put this? It’s probably going to hurt. Quite a bit. But the more you prepare for this Labour lark, the better your experience will be. “Research shows mums who attend antenatal classes are more mentally and physically prepared and therefore have a better birth,” says Sally Lomas, active birth teacher from the UK. Classes are the ideal place to practise positions and discuss emotions so you really believe your body can give birth.

2. pack my bag

Imagine you’ve not packed your bag. You go into early labour and turn up at hospital with nothing more than the clothes you’re wearing. Not having your camera to take those first baby pictures is bad enough but now you’ve got to rely on your style-blind partner to pick out coming-home clothes. Not pretty, is it? So pack. Your. Bag. Maternity pads for when your waters break, a couple of nighties (one for labour and one for after) and a camera are essentials, but consider including a birth plan too. If you make your preferences known on things like pain relief, your gynac can help you achieve them as much as possible.

3. do decent undies
Just because your flimsy thong can no longer stand the strain, don’t start with the granny panties. Yes, they’ll stretch as your bump blossoms, but they won’t make you feel as sexy as bikini briefs or cute boxers sitting snugly under your tummy. As for bras, big (even AA cups get boobs!) can be beautiful. Just make sure they’re sensible. “Ill-fitting and under-wired bras can damage delicate breast tissue, so get buy a new set of maternity bras every six to eight weeks,” says Gemma Essex, spokesperson for Royce lingerie, UK. Your boobs contain no muscle, so go for good support — think wider shoulder and back straps — to limit sagging.

4. make some me-time

Seriously, just stepping out the door is no mean feat once you’re elbow deep in poo-filled nappies, so spoil yourself before baby bounces into your life. Shop for shoes. Meet your mates. Anythingl Just think about you. “If you don’t regularly carve out time for you, you could feel like you’re losing your own identity,” says UK relationship expert Gladeana McMahon. Schedule in some pleasure. Paying yourself attention will make you feet feminine and valuable.

5. squeeze,two, three,four

If the slightest sneeze has you peeing your pants, give your pelvic floor muscles a workout. “Exercising them during pregnancy helps you tone them up, preventing stress incontinence,” says UK midwife Laura Abbott. “It also makes you more aware of the muscles, so you can relax them during labour.” If you’re having trouble locating them, go for a pee and try to stop the flow for a few seconds by pulling the muscles up tightly. Now you know how, hold a pelvic floor contraction for 10 seconds. Doing eight in a row, three times a day, should have you toned in no time.

6. meet my gynac. Regutarly

Peeing in a pot might not get you hot-footing it to your antenatal appointments, but the prospect of keeping you and baby healthy should. “These appointments are essential for monitoring progress,” says Gail Johnson from The Royal College of Midwives, UK. He’ll check there’s no protein in your urine, monitor your blood pressure to rule out pre-eclampsia, and keep an eye on your baby’s growth and position, all which should contribute to a healthy pregnancy and better birth.

7. be fit to pop

You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, so don’t put yourself through labour without a thought for fitness. Granted, you may not look your best in Lycra, but the benefits outweigh the shame with research revealing mums-tobe who exercise regularly have easier labours, deliveries and recoveries. And being fit helps limit those nasty pregnancy niggles. “Exercise is great for your circulation, cutting down on cramps, constipation, piles and swelling,” says UK pregnancy fitness expert Alison Merry.

8. stress less

Any woman who says she’s not nervous about giving birth, becoming a mum or getting her figure back is lying. They’re naturaL anxieties — that won’t harm your baby. But research shows pregnant women with severe stress are more LikeLy to have smalLer babies and hyperactive chiLdren. Something as simple as keeping a diary couLd heLp. “Your emotional state can have a physicaL impact on your baby’s deveLopment,” says UK cLinicaL hypnotherapist Maggie HowelL. Even jotting down concerns, Like ‘WiLL I get my figure back?’ helps overcome emotional bLockages.

9. have a siesta

Or a Lie in. Or an earLy night. Whatever, just get some steep because giving birth and Looking after a newborn takes energy. “Babies can’t differentiate between day and night. If you practise grabbiig naps now,your baby arrives you’LL be able to sleep when she sLeeps,” says Laura. Research reveals a 30 to 60 minute snooze can reduce fatigue and increase alertness in pregnant women, and those who get more en hours a night in Late pregnancy have shorter labours. Pillow, pLease.

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