Pregnancy and birth
tips from a Duchess
Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, recently gave birth her third child – Louis Arthur Charles – with
seeming ease. In spite of his 3,83 kilograms, Kate had natural birth and
stepped out of London’s St. Mary’s Hospital looking serenely impeccable when
her little prince was only seven hours old. How did she do it?
Kate only did what women have been
doing for eons – preparing for childbirth, trusting their instincts, listening
to their body and feeling in control.
Apart from morning sickness, as
far as we know, Kate had no complications. Added to that, she had the
confidence to trust her body and do her own thing – something that women today
seem to be readily handing over to their obstetricians/gynaecologists.
If you are pregnant (and without
any problems), you still have time to put some of Kate’s tips into practice.
Eat healthy. Kate is said to have eaten plenty of
avocado (they’re in season now so they’re readily available). She also only ate
lean meats and fibre-rich porridge. She drank smoothies made from kale,
spinach, blueberries and spirulina – an algae extract called “pregnancy
superfood” because it’s so rich in protein and iron.
The Duchess exercised to prepare for natural childbirth.
- From 34 weeks she used a ‘birthing ball’ to prepare her pelvic floor muscles
- She kept up a gentle exercise routine and went for regular walks around Kensington Palace
- Kate enjoyed swimming lessons in the palace pool
- And she used pregnancy yoga exercises to strengthen her birthing muscles.
Kate postponed and
cancelled all engagements and appointments a full month before her baby was due
so that she could rest.
For pain relief Kate chose ‘hypnobirthing’ – a technique women can learn
that helps to keep her calm so that she can embrace rather than fear childbirth.
In this way, natural hormones like endorphins (for pain), prostaglandins (to
help the womb contract) and relaxin (that helps to relax pelvic floor
ligaments) could flood her bloodstream, calm her brain and allow her body to do
what it’s designed to do.
Finally, Kate believes in a short hospital stay – agreeably
there’s no place like home where you can recover and do your own thing.
I’m not sure how long Kate will
breastfeeding her little prince – but no doubt, she will probably try for at
least six months, if not for a year.
Understandably, in the eyes of the
world, we’re not duchesses or princesses, yet in our own way, we’re just as important! It doesn’t take
wealth and fortune to eat healthy and to exercise – even if it’s only in your
back yard, the bath-tub and using a chair for support while doing squats to the
rhythm of your favourite music.
Hypnotherapists are rare, but you
can teach yourself relaxation techniques or you can learn these in
ante-natal/childbirth/Lamaze classes. When you book for these classes, make
sure they’re more than a weekly talk or a week-end crash course. Exercises can
begin from six months into your pregnancy and should include birthing and
relaxation techniques. Classes should also include Dad because he will be your
number one cheerleader when the big day comes!
