Please share an interesting fact about preparing for labor and delivery.

Ignore: Sometimes just a little leak can mean you broke your bag of water.

Low: Low birth wt. Fetuses programmed in uterus for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity.

Ignore: The health of the baby and mother is the MOST important. Be open to changes of your ideal birth.

Ignore: Stay active (e.g. consistent mild to moderate intensity activity) and don't stress out.

Ignore: Diet, exercise, multivits, adequate hydration...enjoy this precious time.

Ignore: The greatest gift you can give your child is a strong relationship between parents.

Ignore: A written birth plan is an excellent way to prepare for labor and delivery.

Ignore: DO attend childbirth classes. Learn about what to expect in labor, and pain control options.

Ignore: Most hospitals offer free classes for preparation . Them you can practice at home!

Personalize: Personalize your surroundings. In birthing rooms you can make changes that make you feel at home.

Change: Change positions frequently. Walking in the halls or sitting in a rocker will help labor progress.

Remain: Remain mentally flexible. Use techniques such as relaxation or controlled breathing to help you.

Partners: Partners and families can be very helpful in keeping a mother distracted with activities.

Partners: Partners and families can be very helpful in keeping a mother in good spirits!

Periodic: Periodic contact with your healthcare provider is helpful.

Pain: Pain is a natural part of labor and every woman is unique in the level of pain she can tolerate.

Important: Important to Keep a restful environment in your labor room (quiet, low lighting, soothing music).

For: For comfort it can help to have your partner or support person rub a tennis ball over your low back.

For: For comfort you can try applying warm or cold compresses.

It: It will really help to learn and use relaxation/breathing techniques.

Guided: Guided meditation using calming imagery has been found to be very beneficial!

Using: Using comfort techniques is an excellent way to involve first-time partners in supporting 1 another.

Medication: Medication may not totally eliminate labor pain, but can help ease it.

The: The most commonly used pain medications are short acting, minimizing the effect on the baby.

Over: Over the past ten years, there has been a national trend to avoid routine episiotomies.

Recent: Recent studies show that routine episiotomies have little or no medical benefit.

For: For your first delivery, you are encouraged to discuss episiotomy with your physician or midwife.

Close: Close to 70 percent of women will have a natural tear with the birth of their first baby.

Natural: Natural tears usually involve less tissue and trauma than an episiotomy.

It: It is important to wait for the natural urge to bear down before starting active pushing.

You: You are often encouraged to push by "holding your breath and push as hard and as long as you can.".

If: If you use an epidural, you may be encouraged to rest until you have the sensation to push.

Upright: Upright positioning (sitting, squatting, standing) allows gravity to help you push.

Lying: Lying on your side is associated with fewer significant tears.

Allowing: Allowing the baby's head to gradually stretch the tissue of the vagina (perineum) will reduce tears.

During: During second stage labor, your uterus pushes the baby down the birth canal (passive descent).

Perineal: Perineal massage from 36 weeks on has been associated with fewer perineal tears.

The: The breathing techniques used for pushing vary and depend upon what works best for you.

It: It's important to hold your baby skin-to-skin in the first hour following birth. It helps with feeds.

Your: Your baby is most interested in nursing within the first hour of life.

Baby: Baby needs the colostrum (initial fluid from your breast) 4 energy and protection against infection.

After: After the first 1 to 2 hours, your baby may become sleepy and less interested in nursing.

Your: Your baby must always be placed in the car seat, beginning with the ride home from the hospital.

The: The only person controlling things on delivery day is your baby!

Knowing: Knowing that you and your doctor share a similar birthing philosophy can go a long way!

It's: It's important to find a doctor who is more in tune with how you want to deliver your baby.

It's: It's better to choose encouragement, Not Sympathy During Labor.

It: It is best to Attend Prenatal Education With the support person too.

Make: Make Sure You and/or Other Support People Take Regular Breaks.

It's: It's important to keep Supporting Her After The Baby Is Born!

Once: Once the baby is born, lots of attention is on the baby, so make sure mom has lots of attention too!

Support: Support people can also benefit from giving each other massages.

Turn: Turn lights off when possible, the darkness is more conducive to labor.

Ignore: Attend the local childbirth class especially at the place you plan to deliver.

Ignore: You want this experience to be memorable. He open to suggestions and tips from nurses and doctor.

Ignore: Did you know? Very few babies arrive on their actual due date. 37 weeks is full term, so be ready!

Ignore: Don't commit yourself to a rigid birth plan. Follow your needs and wants in the moment.