Labor and Birth
By now, you probably have your baby’s name picked out—or at least narrowed down to a select few—and the little outfit he or she will go home in. No doubt you’ve been eagerly and anxiously waiting for this moment: it’s delivery day!
Before you head to the hospital, make sure you have your overnight bag, your birth plan and a pediatrician to notify when your baby is born.
How will I know if I’m in labor?
When you’re given a due date, it’s only an estimate; no one knows exactly when your baby will come. However, there are some telltale signs for when you’re in labor and when you should head to the hospital:
Bloody show – A small amount of mucus, slightly mixed with blood, may be expelled from the vagina.
Contractions – Contractions, or uterine muscle tightening, that occur less than 10 minutes apart are usually a sign that labor has begun. They’ll become more frequent and severe as labor progresses.
Rupture of the amniotic sac – Labor sometimes begins when your “water breaks,” or when amniotic fluid gushes or leaks from the vagina. If this happens, go to the hospital immediately and contact your doctor or midwife.
If you’re not sure whether you’re in labor, call your healthcare provider.
Tell the difference between real labor and Braxton-Hicks contractions.
What are my options for pain relief during labor and delivery?
Depending on your preference, your health, your baby’s health and your doctor or midwife’s recommendation, you have three general types of pain management:
Nonmedicated measures – Techniques to promote comfort and relieve stress, such as breathing, meditation, imagery and movement. This approach is also known as natural childbirth.
Analgesics – Medications, such as meperidine, to relieve pain, commonly used with very few complications.
Anesthesia – Medications that cause loss of sensation, such as a local block or epidural anesthesia.
What can I expect during birth?
Delivery can happen either vaginally or by cesarean section (C-section). No matter which way your baby comes into the world, your care team will keep an eye on your vital signs and your baby’s heart rate to head off any complications and support you both on a very special birthday!
After Your Baby is Born
Giving birth is exciting and exhausting, but nothing quite compares to the moment you get to hold your baby for the first time. Congratulations!
Your first few hours and days may be a blur. We’ll help you ease right into the role of mom and dad.
Infant identification and safety
Once your little one arrives, you, your baby and one other person you choose will receive ID bands with numbers that match. Numbers are matched again when you leave the hospital. For safety reasons, additional bands won’t be issued to anyone else.
Remember, you must have a car seat before you leave the hospital. Many of our hospitals offer car seat safety classes and can check your seat for correct installation. You just need to call and request additional information on dates and times. However, if your local facility doesn't have a member of staff able to perform the car seat safety check, you can use one of the United States Department of Transportation's Car Seat Inspection Stations.
Breastfeeding support
At SCL Health, our hospitals are either designated as Baby-Friendly or follow Baby-Friendly practices. This means you’ll be encouraged to bond skin-to-skin, breastfeed and care for your baby at your bedside.
Baby-Friendly practices promote breastfeeding, which can give your baby all the nutrients necessary for the next six months and antibodies for protection from allergies and illnesses.
If you’re new to breastfeeding or experience any difficulties, lactation specialists are available to offer support and resources after you leave the hospital.
See the benefits of breastfeeding.
Your baby’s birth certificate
A hospital staff member can help you fill out your baby’s information to order an official copy of the birth certificate. You also can order one online, by mail, by fax or in person. Please wait at least one week after your baby is born to order.
You’ll receive the official copy of the birth certificate from your health department about three to four weeks after you place the order. If you order in person, you’ll receive the birth certificate immediately.
Newborn health screenings and procedures
All babies are screened for health issues that can be treated if they’re found very early in life. These may include:
Newborn screening tests – The U.S. has a national program with a core set of newborn screening tests. A small blood sample is taken from a baby’s heel and sent to a state lab to be tested for rare diseases, such as:
Phenylketonuria (PKU)
Congenital hypothyroidism
Galactosemia
Sickle cell disease
Maple syrup urine disease
Newborn hearing screening – We screen all babies’ hearing before they leave the hospital. The screening uses non-invasive probes on the skin. This is usually done in your room, and you’re welcome to be there with your baby.
Congenital cardiac heart disease screening – This screening detects low oxygen levels and is done by placing non-invasive pulse oximetry probes on your baby’s foot and hand.
Most newborns have normal results for blood tests and other screenings. If we detect any health or hearing issues, we’ll refer you and your baby to a specialist for follow-up care.
Other considerations include:
Hepatitis B immunization – Your baby will receive the first of three hepatitis B vaccinations shortly after birth, with your consent. The other two will be administered by your baby’s doctor in the coming months.
Circumcision – If you choose to have your son circumcised, you’ll be required to complete and sign an authorization form allowing your baby’s doctor to do the procedure.
Consider your personal, religious and family traditions while you weigh the pros and cons of the surgery. We encourage you to consult your doctor and your baby’s doctor. But remember, it's your decision.
More than the baby blues
You’ve spent the past few months anticipating the birth of your baby. Now that you’re home with your little one, adjusting to your new role as a mom can start to wear on you, especially when your hormones are surging and you seem to cry at the drop of a hat.
Most of the time, this is a normal case of the “baby blues,” which will pass as your hormones stabilize and you get the hang of caring for your newborn. For one in five moms, however, that cloud sticks around longer than it should and may be a sign of postpartum depression.
Certified Nurse-Midwives
When you’re sporting a baby bump, it seems the questions never end. Boy or girl? Cloth diapers or disposables? OB-GYN or nurse-midwife?
If you’re curious about midwifery, you can learn more here.
What is a certified nurse-midwife?
A certified nurse-midwife (CNM) is a registered nurse who is educated in nursing and midwifery and certified through the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
CNMs focus on educating and empowering women to make healthy decisions. We encourage you to ask questions and be actively involved in the care you receive. Your family is welcome to participate in office visits and during labor and birth.
What services do certified nurse-midwives provide?
CNMs provide comprehensive women’s healthcare. They care for you from the early stages of pregnancy, through labor and delivery and into the first phase of postpartum care. CNMs generally deliver babies in a hospital or birth center and not at home.
Your certified nurse-midwife will provide support in a variety of ways:
Before pregnancy - Talk with you about family planning and offer expert advice for achieving your best possible health before becoming pregnant
During pregnancy - Provide guidance on nutrition, exercise and planning for your baby’s birth
During labor - Work with you to reduce the risk of complications by encouraging you and your partner to actively participate in the birthing process
At delivery - Deliver your baby and provide immediate postpartum care, including helping with breastfeeding
After birth - Ease your transition into motherhood with follow-up care after you are discharged from the hospital
Certified nurse-midwives also can provide nutrition counseling and well-woman care.
What if I have high-risk factors and need a doctor?
Doctors are available to consult with CNMs 24 hours a day. If you need continuous high-risk care, our doctors can manage your care in the office and the hospital.
What to Expect - Pregnancy and Baby
They say it takes a village to raise a child. From the first positive pregnancy test to the first time you hold your baby, your team of mom and baby experts will care for you and support you through many other firsts.
Personalized care from beginning to…new beginning
Bringing a child into the world is special and uniquely personal. If you’re thinking about adding another family member or you’re quickly approaching your due date, you have options to make the journey not only truly special, but true to you.
Before you head to the hospital to have your baby, review and fill out a birth plan with your partner. A birth plan summarizes what you want to experience during labor, such as walking around or having the lights dimmed. It also outlines how you wish to manage pain, such as using breathing techniques or getting an epidural.
Not sure where to begin?
What’s a typical prenatal appointment schedule?
What can I expect during labor and delivery?
What happens after my baby’s birth?
What if there are complications during pregnancy or delivery?
If something throws a wrench into an otherwise healthy pregnancy or labor and delivery, our maternal-fetal medicine specialists and NICUs will give you and your baby expert care.
Get the facts about high-risk pregnancy?
Learn more about NICUs.
How can fathers and partners get involved?
As a mom, you get to bond with your baby from the get-go—from those first bouts of nausea to the sweet little kicks—but fathers and partners can be involved during pregnancy, labor and delivery, too.
Many hospitals offer Boot Camp for Dads, which is a class taught by new fathers. See if there’s a class near you.
In addition to providing emotional and physical support during labor, fathers and partners can be by your side during a vaginal delivery or gown up and join you in the operating room if you need a cesarean section.
Learn about the signs of labor and what to bring to the hospital.