Women's Health Specialists of St. Louis
Obstetrics and Gynecology

Articles - Having a Baby

Having a baby is a wonderful and life-changing experience. It is also a time of uncertainty. Though the best laid plans do not always turn out as expected, what matters is the safe delivery of a healthy baby. Many expecting moms envision laboring naturally in a room lightly lit with candles, classical music, and their doting husband wiping sweat off their brow. Though this is the delivery that I hope for everyone to have, the reason why most women choose to have their babies in a hospital setting is because of the uncertainties of birth. Husbands faint, babies dont cooperate, and the process is exhausting. Having a general idea of what to expect on the day of delivery can help ease anxiety and allow you to be prepared for any surprises that may occur. For example, check with you doctor to see where he or she has privileges. Tour those hospitals that you are interested in. While on tour find out how many birthing rooms are present and be sure to look at the rooms that are available after delivery. Some hospitals will require that the baby go to the nursery for a bath after delivery while some will allow the baby to stay in the room if there are no complications. If you are planning on having more than two family members with you, ask about the hospital policy. Make certain that the hospital is covered by your insurance. A private room after delivery may be an additional cost. It is very important that the hospital you choose can handle emergencies that arise during childbirth. A hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit can potentially be lifesaving for a premature infant or an infant who has just undergone a very difficult delivery. After choosing a hospital, you may choose to prepare a birth plan. There are many pre-printed birth plans on the internet. Some of these birth plans are better than others. The idea is not to make a plan that is set in stone. If your birth does not go as planned, then this may become a source of more anxiety rather than a tool to help you and you obstetrician communicate. You should review your birth plan with your doctor. The plan should not make demands but rather, requests of what you would like, if possible. Reviewing the birth plan with your doctor should help you to prepare for what your options may be. Be aware that your physician may not necessarily be the doctor who is delivering your baby. Get a general idea of what protocols the doctors will follow. General questions to consider and to discuss with your partner and your doctor should include options for pain control, types of fetal monitoring, and what tools your doctor might use to deliver the baby in an emergency. Though you may desire a delivery without pain medications, do not deny yourself this possibility if your delivery does not go as planned. There are different ways of monitoring your babys heart rate during delivery. Depending on the circumstances, this may be intermittent, external, or internal. Understand under what conditions your physician will recommend an episiotomy, use of forceps or vacuum and cesarean delivery. Though most women do not desire these procedures to be performed, these are the special procedures that obstetrician gynecologist have been specifically trained to perform for difficult deliveries. These procedures are potentially lifesaving for both mother and baby. Understanding why and when these procedures might be performed may help to reduce anxiety and help the mother and physician work as a team to delivery a healthy baby. There is no right or wrong way to deliver a baby. The goal for both family and physician is to have a healthy baby. Whenever possible, this should be a wonderful and safe experience.