Preparing for Birth

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION MODELS/ORGANIZATIONS

  • International Childbirth Education Association

  • Hospital-based education

  • Lamaze

  • Bradley Method

  • Hypnobirthing

  • Mindfulness Childbirth

  • Birthing from Within


CONSIDER A BIRTH PLAN

You have the option to create a birth plan that communicates to your care team what your preferences are during labor and delivery. In your birth plan, you can outline what matters to you, like who you’d like with you in the room, what your wishes are regarding medications and interventions, your preferred pain management techniques, if you’d like your partner to cut the umbilical cord, etc. It is important to keep in mind that your birth plan is what you would ideally like to see happen, but sometimes circumstances arise that require veering from your original plan. If you choose to create a birth plan, we ask that you bring a copy of your birth plan to your prenatal appointment to keep in your records, and bring an additional copy to the hospital with you.

WHAT TO PACK

  • Cash and change for snacks, items from the gift shop, etc.

  • Entertainment (books, puzzles, magazines, movies, music, etc.)

  • Favorite pillow

  • Going home outfits for both you and the baby

  • Nonpharmacologic pain management (back massager, etc.)

  • Nursing bra

  • Paperwork/important documents (birth plan, photo id, insurance card and hospital paperwork)

  • Phone charger

  • Postpartum underwear

  • Properly installed infant car seat

  • Sleepwear, robe, slippers and flip flops

  • Snacks

  • Toiletries

BENEFITS OF A LOW-INTERVENTION BIRTH

A low-intervention birth is one in which birth starts spontaneously and is allowed to progress naturally without medical intervention. Studies show low-intervention birth is associated with improved outcomes for mother and baby, as well as high patient satisfaction. A low-intervention birth is often characterized by delayed admittance to the hospital until active labor begins, the utilization of alternative pain management techniques, having continuous support during labor, laboring in various positions, and intermittent monitoring of baby’s heartbeat.

PAIN MANAGEMENT OPTIONS

  • Medications (learn more here)

  • Regional anesthesia (epidural or spinal)

  • Nonpharmacologic options:

    • Hydrotherapy

    • Massage

    • Continuous labor support/doula care

    • Accupressure/accupuncture

    • Position changes/ambulation

    • Hypnosis

    • TENS unit

    • Application of heat/cold

    • Breathing and relaxation exercises

    • Audio analgesia and aromatherapy

CAR SEAT SAFETY

It is important to make sure you have a safe car seat, especially if you have been given a used one.

  • You can learn about types of car seats and how to properly install them here.

  • Virginia’s Child Passenger Safety Program also has information about car seat recalls, Virginia passenger laws and has video tutorials for proper installation.