Author: Judy Cohen

It’s a good idea to keep your health information on you at all times, so when you go to your provider, clinic, ER, or hospital the information is readily available. Include the following. Fill out this form below , take a picture of it, keep it in your phone. Share this with your loved ones.

Your Name

Emergency contact

Allergies ( Medication, environmental, food)

All medications your taking with dosage, include over the counter meds and herbals

Medical history

Past surgery/hospitalization history

Family history: Does your family member have any problems with anesthesia? yes or no

Are you an Organ donor? yes or no

Do you have a living will? yes or no

Do you have a health care surrogate? yes or no

Your Physician’s with phone number

Check out this site for helpful information on Breastfeeding.

med.stanford.edu breastfeeding

Your newborn baby should sleep on a firm mattress on their backs in a crib, not in your bed with you. They could suffocate or fall.

Anyone having contact with your baby should be healthy and always wash their hands first.

Infant should never be left alone on a bed or changing table,  they could fall and get badly injured.

It is NOT recommended to post birth announcements in your front yard or on social media.

Infants should NOT be exposed to smoke.  This increases chances of SIDS and other health related problems.

 

When you are admitted to Labor and Delivery you may be asked to sign many consent forms , some are listed below.  Remember you should discuss these procedures with your Physician/Provider before delivery. You need to understand all the procedures, risks and benefits discussed with your Physician/Midwife.  Make a list of questions to take with you to your prenatal visit in your 3rd trimester to discuss with your Provider.

Induction of labor consent with different medications, Pitocin, Cytotec, Cervidil.   Will they let you go into labor on your own or schedule induction?

Cesarean Section Consent.   What is your Drs. C-Section rate? Can you have a trial of labor if you had a prior C-Section?

Operative Delivery Consent  which is the use of Vacuum or Forceps

Anesthesia Consent

VBAC (Vaginal Birth  After Cesarean) Consent

Tubal Ligation ( Having your tubes tied if you no longer want any more kids.) Can be done at the time of the C-Section. Discuss prior to delivery date.

You should take a class if your planning to go natural.  Know your options, keep an open mind and discuss with your provider.   Here are just a few options:

Breathing, relaxation techniques, walking, rocking,  hydrotherapy.

Imagery, hypnosis, natural, doula (labor coach)

Aromatherapy, massage. Birthing ball.

IV medications. Local anesthesia, nitrous, epidural.

Support person familiar with your plan.

A RN will evaluate your labor and notify the provider. Vital signs will be taken, health assessment will be taken, fetal monitoring performed and examination and other test ordered by your provider.  Sometimes false labor occurs and you may be sent home. Don’t be disappointed if its early labor, you’ll be more comfortable at home.

If admitted you will may be asked to sign consent forms for Vaginal delivery, Cesarean Section, anesthesia and others consents if indicated.

If admitted, expect to have blood work drawn and an IV started to keep you hydrated and for medications if needed.

You may ambulate or be in bed.  You will only be permitted to have ice chips in labor unless your provider orders something else.

You will be placed on a fetal monitor to monitor your baby and your contractions.

You will want to discuss pain management with your provider ahead of time.

Print out Checklist on this site.

Select a Pediatrician for your baby who is on your plan. You have 9 months to choose one.

Take childbirth classes. Many classes are available at hospitals like baby care, sibling class, Infant CPR, Breastfeeding. Childbirth preparation.

Learn about Breastfeeding.

Pack a suitcase and have it ready ahead of time.  See list on this site of what to take to hospital. Leave valuables/jewelry at home. You need a car seat to take the baby home the day of discharge.

Discuss circumcision with your Ob doc if you are having a boy. This is NOT usually covered by insurance. Some are performed in the hospital (preferred) or in MD office. Expect bill from Dr. and from hospital. This is performed by the Obstetrician  after the baby is examined by the Pediatrician. For more information see America Academy of Pediatrics.

Know your GBS( Group B Strep) status, if your positive, expect antibiotics in labor. Vaginal culture  is taken by your provider at about 36 weeks. For more information see ACOG.org

Before being admitted to the hospital or the day of your surgery:

You will have blood work done.  DO NOT eat or drink anything at least 8 hours before surgery.  You should shower the morning of surgery.   You may have your abdomen shaved at the hospital.  Expect to sign consents on admission for surgery and anesthesia.  Remove all jewelry and piercings before surgery. Expect and IV (Intravenous) to be started and remain in for about 24 hours.  You may be given antacid medications before surgery as well as antibiotics. Your abdomen will be washed with an antimicrobial solution.  Usually a Spinal anesthetic is used unless otherwise indicated.  You will have a foley catheter placed to drain your bladder, this usually comes out 24 hours after surgery. A large bandage or dressing will be on your abdomen for 24 hours.  You will have a device placed on your legs to prevent blood clots.  Surgery may take approximately an hour but can be shorter or longer.  Post op recovery is a few hours so you need to rest and not have a lot of visitors.  You will have medications for pain, nausea, itching, etc.  You will get out of bed within 12-24 hours depending on your MD.  You will slowly advance diet from ice chips to liquids then food as per your MD preferences.

 

The natural way to delivery your baby is vaginally.  However, there are some indications where a Cesarean Section is medically advisable.  Some of these conditions may be Placenta Previa,  some Multiple births, previous uterine surgery, abnormal presentation like breech, a large baby documented by ultrasound,  fetus not tolerating labor, failure to progress in labor, or other maternal or neonatal conditions determined by your OB Physician.  There are risks and benefits to all procedures which should be discussed with your OB Physician.  Some complications of surgery include but are not limited to are bleeding, infection, bowel or bladder trauma, as well as complications from anesthesia.

Some woman today simply do not want to go through labor and are demanding an elective Cesarean Section.  Generally, once you have a C-section, you will usually continue to have them for future pregnancies.  Some Physicians depending on your situation may let you have a VBAC ( Vaginal Birth After C-S.  A Cesarean Section is major surgery .  It cost more than a vaginal delivery and your hospital stay is longer.  Your recovery is also longer after a C- Section. There are more risks involved than having a vaginal delivery.  So before making this decision remember to discuss this with your Physician.  Having a C-Section may also limit the number of children you have.  Remember you not only have to recover from major surgery, you also have to take care of your newborn baby. For more information check out ACOG.org.

 

 

Anytime you have a fall, injury, car accident or trauma during pregnancy you must get it checked right away.  Call your provider and go to the hospital so you can be assessed, monitored and evaluated to be sure your baby is OK. Don’t wait!   Always report any sudden, intense, constant pain or decreased fetal movement.