Preparing for Labor & Delivery (First Time Moms) | Everything You Need to Know

 

As a first time mom, I have no idea what to truly expect when it comes to labor and delivery.

So I spent countless hours trying to research and become educated on what to expect when it comes to the birth of my baby. While I am fully aware that every woman's labor and delivery experience will be unique, I like to have an idea of all the things that could possibly happen so I am not "surprised" when my birth plan needs to make a change in the moment.

But first, a couple IMPORTANT disclaimers.

*Disclaimer #1: Every pregnancy is different. Every labor and delivery experience is different. Every mom is different. Every baby is different. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to becoming a first time mom! So take everything you read with a grain of salt and know it is not the "bible" you need to strictly follow. This is meant to be a "reference" to guide you through preparing for labor and delivery, but you must allow follow your doctor's advice first over anything you read online. These guides are not medical, professional or official advice.

*Disclaimer #2: Each of these guides include only the "surface level" tips based on MY personal learnings from things I have read, heard, or learned from external sources. These guides may not include everything you need to know about labor and delivery — especially because at the time of writing this, I haven't yet gone into my own first labor experience yet. 

Complete Labor & Delivery Guide for First Time Moms

Preparing for Labor & Delivery

Here's a few things you should do, people to follow on social media, or books to read to help you prepare for labor and delivery as a first time mom:

• Take a birthing class (online or in person). Many hospitals offer this for a professional training, which is highly recommended. Here's the online childbirth class I took for $50 so I could do it at my own pace and schedule. 
  
  
• Read all the materials your OBGYN/midwife/hospital gives you when you go for prenatal appointments. They should give you a packet to prepare for pregnancy, labor and delivery at the hospital they are connected to. If you want to deliver at a different hospital than the one they are connected to, you will need to switch OBGYNs as soon as possible — ask for a recommendation to connect with one that delivers at your desired hospital.
  
  
• Don't forget to pre-register at your hospital as soon as you can. Most hospitals allow you to do this process online.
  
  
• Take a hospital tour of the labor and delivery center, if available. 
  
  
• Browse YouTube or social media for labor and delivery tips. 
  
  
• Ask your friends and family who have had babies in the past couple of years for advice (i.e. birth plan, hospital bag items, etc.) and their personal experience for you to consider. Remember, each woman's labor and delivery experience will be unique.
  
  
• Consider hiring a doula, especially if you plan to have a natural / unmedicated childbirth. You will need someone who can effectively coach you through pain management and techniques to deliver your baby. 
  
  
• Ask your doctor questions you have about labor and delivery.
  
  
• Do some research and choose 2-3 pediatricians to add to a list. Why multiple? Most pediatricians will not talk to you, meet with you, or schedule an appointment until AFTER your baby is delivered. It's wild, but you basically have to tell the hospital who your pediatrician is before you've even had a chance to meet with them or know if they are even available to take on new patients. Don't fret, you can always change pediatricians later on if you end up not liking them for some reason. Choose your top 2-3 pediatricians based on reviews, recommendations from local friends or family members, or recommendations from your OBGYN. 
  
  
• Create a birth plan. Remember: this birth plan is only designed to help nurses and doctors understand your goals, especially when you are in the midst of pain or medicated and the last thing you want to do is have to make important decisions in those moments. However, you must also understand that a birth plan is meant to be flexible. Your doctors will be able to guide you in making important decisions that are different than your original birth plan when it comes to the ultimate safety and health of BOTH you and the baby. Just like weddings, there likely will be something that isn't according to your original plan — so just create your birth plan with flexibility in mind. 
  
  
• Find out what the hospital offers in the labor room, and what they will provide postpartum (for you and the baby) so you know what to pack in your hospital bag. 
  
  
• Take everything home from the hospital that they provide such as: postpartum recovery items, diapers, wipes, etc. Whatever you don't use they will likely throw away, and you are allowed to take these items. You can also ask your nurse if you are unsure what you are allowed to take home.
  
  
• Create a music playlist to play during labor and delivery, if desired. 

Hospital Bag Checklist:

As mentioned previously, you should check with your hospital to see which items they will provide so it saves you some room in your hospital bag. 

Your proximity to the hospital can also impact what you pack. For example, we live only a couple miles from our hospital so I know my husband can easily and quickly go get any items I need from home if there's anything we end up needing that I wasn't sure about previously. You can also pack 2 bags - 1 bag for taking into the hospital with items you know you will want to use, and 1 bag with "extra" stuff you aren't sure you'll need to keep in the car for quick access if needed.

Here's a sample of what I packed in my hospital bag:

• Leave valuables / jewelry at home
• ID
• Insurance
• Printed out birth plan
• Phone
• Phone charger with long cord (or extension cord)
• Comfy outfit for me to wear home (nothing tight)
• 2-3 baby outfits
• Robe
• Slippers
• Socks
• Dark pjs with button top (wear layers in case hot or cold)
• Nursing bra
• Hair tie
• Portable speaker for music (or headphones) for during labor
• Tennis (or massage) ball 
• Aromatherapy massage oil
• Labor-approved snacks (and snacks for husband)
• Swaddle/receiving blanket for baby (take home for dogs to sniff before baby comes home)
• Water bottle and gatorade

Here's what I packed to keep in the car (separate bag) in case I needed it:

• Pillow
• Blanket
• Grocery sacks for things to take home from hospital
• Car seat and base (pre-installed in car)
• Yoga ball
• Makeup and makeup remover wipes
• Jacket or zip-up hoodie
• Brush 
• Dry shampoo
• Handful of disposable underwear/Depends (or large, full coverage high waisted underwear)
• Diversions: playing cards, download movie on phone, book, journal, etc.
• Lip balm
• Portable fan
• Deodorant
• Handful of disposable nursing pads
• Boppy pillow for nursing (optional)
• Breast pump (so nurse can show me how to use)
• A couple witch hazel pads / icesicle pads
• Old hand towel (for warm or cold water to place on forehead) - throw away after
• Ice pack (optional)
• Prop for photo announcement
• Sound machine (optional)
• Travel toiletries (toothbrush, paste, body wash, etc)
• Support person items (clothes, pillow, blanket and toiletries)
• Pacifier (just in case)
• Nipple cream
• Stretch band or scarf for labor positions

Sample Birth Plan:

This is not the birth plan that you should use. This is just my personal birth plan that I created so you can see a sample of what someone like me would choose. 

At the time of writing this, I have not gone into labor yet so I know that this original birth plan may change during my own experience. 

I chose this birth plan after taking an online childbirth class at a local hospital, after doing research online, and after talking to friends about their personal experiences to help me consider my options.

• Support: Only husband in the labor and delivery room (mom allowed only by my request). Unsure if I will want visitors in the hospital after baby is born. 
• Medication: I want an epidural, but not during early labor stage / only get it last minute before it's too late to get one — or earlier by request.
• Labor experience: 
• Lights dimmed as long as possible
• Music playing
• Early labor techniques: want to be able to walk, stand, use yoga ball, etc. until epidural is needed.
• Don't want a mirror or spouse to help with actual delivery
• Don't want episiotomy, vacuum or forceps UNLESS it will help avoid c-section
• Don't want students (non-nurses, non-doctors or other necessary medical staff) in room during delivery
• Willing to use cervical ripening agent before Pitocin (if cervix not ready / if doctor recommends)
• Want to use birth bar if available / needed
• Post-delivery / newborn care:
• Delayed umbilical cord clamping until it stops pulsating
• Husband to cut the umbilical cord
• Skin-to-skin immediately after birth for 1+ hours
• Breastfeed immediately after
• Rooming in during hospital stay, unless for emergency medical reason 
• Vitamin K in newborn eyes
• Don't wash baby for at least 24 hours, but want it done before discharge so I can see how nurses do it
• Do NOT want baby to have formula unless absolutely necessary
• Do NOT want baby to use a pacifier or bottle unless absolutely necessary