My Top Ten for Pregnant Women

1) Drink Lots of Water

2) Fight Your Hormones: This might be the only control you have during pregnancy and birth so start redirecting your energy and power into doing this. They are just tourists in your body . . they will leave eventually . . and they don't take the real you into consideration. If you need to explode or cry and your husband/partner is around, try to warm him: "I'm feeling very hormonal right now and I just need this moment to freak out and for you to be there for me and let me just have my moment." This will help, honestly, just a little, but at least you warned him. If you have any important issues you want to discuss with him, by god don't do it when you're hormonal. Have some strategy and wait for when you are feeling stronger.

3) You Are Not Eating for Two: Like I've written before, whoever started this myth is an asshole, so don't start eating like a pig just because you're pregnant. This is a time when you should eat very healthy and make sure that you are getting enough protein and vitamins. Don't over sugar and over starch for the sake of your own ass -- your body does not digest as well while pregnant so you are more susceptible to constipation. Any added displeasure while pregnant could just very well be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

4) Do Your Exercise and Start Squatting: You don't have to go crazy and start doing hardcore exercises at the gym, but you don't want to spiral down into longs days after days on your couch. Stay active, go for long walks, hikes, take prenatal yoga classes, dance classes and if you have it in you, you will benefit greatly by doing squats. Not only will you staying in good shape make it easier to get back into good shape, but you'll feel better during your pregnancy. . . . and most importantly this is how we help position our babies into our pelvis. When you're on your couch try and sit on your sides instead of your ass.

5) Do Your Research: Nowadays there are many different ways to give birth. Look into what they are and which feels best for you. Do not just put yourself into your doctors's hands blindly. Do research about the hospital you are giving birth in, for example, if your baby has complications after birth do they have the facilities or personnel to handle it - or will your baby have to endure an emergency transfer to another hospital. I've heard too many stories of this happening. Hospitals and doctors are not omnipotent and we all make mistakes. Once you become pregnant you become a parent - your child's life is now in your hands.

6) Hire a Doula for Your First Birth . . . if not for all of them: In my insurance case I couldn't pick and choose a doctor I'd like to deliver my baby - it was just a matter of destiny I suppose. Hiring a doula allows you to create a relationship with that person who will help you through birth, because most likely your husband cringes at the thought of watching the baby and all that blood come out of you. In my opinion going to a hospital to give birth without one is like going into trial without a lawyer. Doulas do much more than just massage and comfort you, which is very nice by the way. If you want a more involved birth experience, they will help you create a birth plan, try to help you get the doctors and nurses to follow it, and most importantly will help you make those important decisions mid-birth of when to not follow your birth plan.

7) Have a Birth Plan: Don't leave anything up to a nurse's or doctor's misinterpretation or your own mis-assumption. If you want to catch your baby ask for it. If you want a mirror to watch yourself pushing baby (because it helps, believe me), ask for it. I did not waste my time filling out the template birth plan I was given by my hospital. I wrote up my own very detailed one with my doula. It even states, "baby will room with us. No nursery." Never assume. I also asked for "delayed clamping of the umbilical cord until it has stopped pulsating; Immediate skin to skin with baby; No bath for the baby (they are born with this protective vernix that is extremely good for them); and to please delay all procedures until we've had bonding and nursing time." Those are just a few. I'm very happy I had a birth plan. 

8) Go To A Chiropractor: My doula/midwife was the only doctor who actually used her hands to feel the positioning of my baby. Around month 8 she noticed that although he was head down, he was also nudged diagonally inside me creating a sore spot for me above my left hip. She recommended me to go see Dr. Ryan Lazarus, a holistic chiropractor/nutritionist, who works with pregnant women as well. He didn't actually turn my baby or ever even touch him, he just focused on opening my pelvis. After one session with Dr. Lazarus Bruno's head dropped down into my pelvis and my sore spot went away. I continued to see Dr. Lazarus about once a week and I am happy to say that I never felt any back, hip, or pelvic discomfort during my last trimester. I slept amazing at night and was never in pain.

9) Due Dates . . . should be just a suggestion that your baby will most likely pop out around this week. Only 5% of women deliver on this date. What you do want to think about is that your doctor will start pressuring you to induce. There are much higher chances for an emergency C-section once you've been induced. C-sections are one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the U.S. Do not think for a second that our medical system is not dollar-driven.

10) Be Present . . . for each and every moment, second, and breath during this amazing yet challenging time of your life. Be wherever you are because you will most likely have to continuously rediscover yourself again . . even seconds later . . and you will never return to the YOU you were before baby was born. So enjoy your ever-evolving transformation.

This post was written with one hand, while the other hand is holding a sleeping, snorting ten pound baby, on and off, over a six hour period. I didn't think I could get it done!