Preparing to Give Birth
Thinking About Your Labour and Delivery
Personal Support
During labour and birth you can choose to have your partner and anyone else you want to be with you. Having someone with you and your partner during labour has been shown to lessen the amount of pain medication needed and to shorten labour. Before your baby’s birth it is helpful to decide who you want to be with you. Many women choose their partner and other important people, such as a close friend, relative, or parent to be with them. Some women also choose to have a doula. A doula provides emotional and physical support to you and your partner before, during, and just after birth. A doula does not provide medical care. The cost of a doula is not covered by the Medical Services Plan.
Because your labour may be longer than you expect, it may be helpful to have more than one person with you. Then they can take short breaks if needed and you will not be alone.
I promise that:
- this birth will be the priority for my time and energy.
- I will make sure everyone at work knows I may have to leave on short notice.
- I will have gas in the car or have other transportation arranged ahead of time.
- I will not plan important travel or events for two weeks before and two weeks after the due date.
- I can be reached at any time.
- I will have child care arranged for any children who will not be attending the birth.
- I will have arranged child care for any children who will be attending the birth.
- I will be kind, supportive, encouraging, and helpful
Can my other children be at the birth?
Yes, children can usually be there. Talk to your health care provider about this ahead of time. You will need to have someone look after your child. If your child needs to leave the room, the support person can look after her. The person who looks after your child should be someone other than the people who are providing your labour support.
Your Birth Wishes
Your birth wishes are a written outline of the things you would prefer to do or have happen during your labour, birth, and the days following birth. See below for a sample, and a template to make your own birth wishes. It can be a useful tool for you and your support team as you work together. During your prenatal visits, talk to your health care provider about the things you would like, but be aware that for a number of reasons, it is not always possible for all of your birth wishes to be followed.
There are many reasons why you may want to write out your birth wishes:
- To outline what you would prefer to happen during your labour and birth. Examples include walking as much as possible or having no medication unless asked for. Other examples are being in a semi‑sitting position for the birth or touching your baby’s head during the birth.
- To outline what you would prefer to have happen if your labour or birth needs medical help. For example, being awake for a caesarean birth.
- To outline the care you would prefer for your baby after birth, such as holding your baby skin‑to‑skin until after completing the first feeding.
- To help you and your support team work together.
To see a sample of birth wishes, click here!
For a template to create your own birth wishes, click here!
Packing for the Hospital
Have your things prepared before you go into labour. Pack a small bag because you may be in hospital for only 24 to 36 hours and personal storage space is limited. Place the things you will need for labour at the top of your bag or in a separate bag. When thinking about what to pack for the hospital, consider items for labour, your personal items, and items for your partner and the new baby.
For a printable checklist of items to take to the hospital, click here!
- Be flexible. Sometimes things happen that you cannot control and your birth wishes have to change.
- One page is easiest for everyone involved in your care to read.
