Since about four months into my pregnancy, I’ve been in full nesting mode. It’s been productive, with me basically giving the house a facelift—remodeling, redecorating, and deep cleaning every corner. But this week, my focus shifted from laying tiles to obsessively scrubbing baseboards and preparing my labor and birth kit. I also just finished straining a homemade after-birth tincture that I’ve been working on for months.
With my first pregnancy, I had everything packed and my birth plan ready by week 20. This time around, I used my energy more effectively—our house can definitely agree—but I suddenly realized by week 36 that I was unprepared for the actual birth part, so I’ve been playing catch-up.
This pregnancy has thankfully been my easiest and most comfortable yet. I’ve finally tackled my thyroid issue, kept a good diet, and prioritized sleep, which have all helped. I didn’t really have morning sickness this time, but I craved cucumbers, carrots, protein, and sauerkraut.
I’m hopeful this will lead to a smooth labor and delivery. Since my past labors have exceeded 24 hours, being prepared really helps. I’ve learned that while your birth team supports you through long labors, they don’t have the energy-boosting hormones you do, so having enough healthy snacks and rest areas for them is crucial.
During labor, I don’t want any company and prefer solitude, but once the baby arrives, I’m typically tired, hungry, and thirsty, so I make sure to be ready for that. The after-birth phase can also be surprising—my second time around, the after-birth pains caught me off guard since I didn’t experience them with my first.
Many moms know that labor isn’t necessarily over with the baby’s arrival. The after cramps can be intense, sometimes rivaling labor. It was tough to enjoy newborn cuddles while still having contractions. During my fourth pregnancy, a tincture my midwife recommended helped significantly with these pains. It was unavailable during my last pregnancy, so I crafted my own version with similar herbs, and I was amazed at how much it alleviated the pain for my fifth baby.
Determined to have it ready for this pregnancy, I made a batch using a basic tincture recipe a few months ago. This week, I strained it, and it’s all set in dropper bottles for use after labor.
This tincture is essential in my birth kit and I usually start using it shortly after birth, ideally around the time I begin nursing as that tends to intensify the after-contractions. Taking it about 10-15 minutes before each nursing session for the initial days significantly eases the pain. I still feel the contractions but with much less discomfort.
Under my midwife’s supervision, I took 10-15 drops per nursing session as needed. Be sure to consult your doctor or midwife before trying this or any herbal remedy during pregnancy or nursing to determine if it’s safe for you and how much you should be taking.
I find my homemade tincture tastes better than the store-bought version, thanks to the chamomile and ginger I added, though the pre-made After Ease Tincture has worked well for me too when it’s available.
I also make sure to stock up on healthy, easy-to-prepare foods and have pre-made meals ready in the fridge and freezer. I prepare sitz bath herbs for a tea to use with a peri-bottle to soothe perineum pain, and I like to use a postpartum soothing spray. Some moms choose to encapsulate their placenta for postpartum recovery.
I keep rice heat packs (for cramps), a long-lasting cold water bottle, and a salt lamp (for gentle lighting) nearby for the initial recovery period.
What have you found helpful after giving birth? Any tips before this little one arrives?
