Labor and Delivery
Once you reach the third trimester, you should talk to your doctor or midwife about labor and delivery. Learn your options for pain relief. Find out how to reach her if you go into labor. And ask her at what point in labor should you call.
Before you reach the last few weeks of pregnancy, you and your partner should visit the hospital or birthing center. Make sure you know how to get there, where to park and where to check-in. Find out if you can pre-register so that your insurance information is already in the computer when you arrive.
Preparing for Delivery
WATERBIRTH: A UNIQUE OPTION FOR YOUR BIRTH EXPERIENCE
Laboring in the water can relieve much of the pain of labor, helping the woman cope with her labor and birth with less or no medication. Even if a woman eventually chooses to utilize pain medication, using the tub prior to that time can help with pain management and labor progress. Women may choose to labor and birth in the tub, or can use the tub only for the labor process. If birth occurs in the tub, the baby is brought immediately to the mom’s chest, with the head out of the water–maintaining the warmth of the water around the baby’s body and safely positioning the baby for those first important breaths.
The CNMs at CCOB are committed to helping women achieve a safe, satisfying birth experience. The Women’s Hospital is also supportive of this option–the current physical layout of the hospital does not include birth tubs, so women choosing the waterbirth option will need to bring a portable, waterbirth-certified tub for their labor and birth experience.