Today I’m going to share my top things you need to do before birth. As a labor and delivery nurse and mom to three I may have a different “take” on these things, but I think you’ll find it super helpful either way.
And yes, I am writing this as a nurse since 1997 with 20 years of labor and delivery experience (many people know me as The Pregnancy Nurse®. I’ve seen a lot of “last minute hail mary’s” in the labor room — so let’s try to not let that happen with getting these 5 things done (don’t worry I’ve got an amazing bonus that’s going to help you feel more confident too — so keep reading). While you’re here, let me join you for the rest of your pregnancy:
Get Insurance In Order
Ok, when I said easy — I may have lied on this one. You need to make sure your ducks are in a row with insurance. That includes:
- Making sure your hospital of choice is included
- Knowing what your payments will include — aka
- finding out deductible
- % you pay after that
- and out of pocket maximum
- Finding out what you need to pay upon admission
Also, another BIG thing is to find out how to add baby to your insurance after birth, and try to get that as much done as possible. I’ve heard tales of families not putting baby on the insurance (usually you have 30 days) and it’s a nightmare. So make sure those eggs are in a row too. 🙂
While you’re talking with your insurance, be sure to ask if they cover a birth class, that can help out too!
While you’re at it — if you’re working, find out what you need to do and get any disability paperwork figured out so that’s easy to handle when the time comes as well.
This part is NOT fun, I agree — but I really think it’s important to have this paperwork nailed down so when the big day happens you’re not scrambling, or surprised by what your payment is.
When you do it in advance THAT is where the easy part comes in!
Go Over A Birth Plan (Preferences)
Thinking about what you’d like at your birth is a smart step in your birth preparation.
In some ways this is daydreaming that you’d like to have a quick labor, vaginal delivery with no tears and no issues.
But, I also think it’s important to think about the decisions you’ll need to make in the labor room. Many of them need to happen regardless of how labor goes (like which shots baby will get, or how you plan to feed them).
I actually have a birth plan series that you can grab for free right here:
Let me be VERY clear that a birth plan is NOT how labor will go. I often hear that a patient had an emergency cesarean and their provider didn’t follow their birth plan at all, but remember much of birth is out of you or your provider’s hands. So, it’s really knowing about options, so you can make the good choices when the time comes.
Pack Your Bag
Ok, first off — I, personally, never packed a “bag” — I have a little pile of necessities in the corner of my room. Mostly contacts solution, and emergency glasses in case I rip-roaring leave the house. I think that’s a smart way to do it until about 36 weeks.
Personally, I always have a toiletry bag packed for vacations, etc — so that’s a great place to start.
BUT packing a bag can be smart before you head into the hospital. I have a packing list right here:
There three VERY important things I recommend on that list that your partner should know where they are, great to put in a pocket on the outside. 🙂 Everyone’s always asking for those!
Fun fact: I actually recommend a labor bag (small), a dad bag, a postpartum bag (larger) and a baby bag… so be sure to check out this post for more on that.
Take a Prenatal Class
Prenatal classes go by many names — birth class, childbirth class, pregnancy classes or hospital class.
Either way, it’s something that’s to prepare you for labor, birth and life after baby (bonus if it has some pregnancy tips too).
One caveat, many people seem to think this is just about breathing during labor, but we’re modern women, ready for MUCH more in the 21st century. Your birth class should include possible interventions, what to expect postpartum, problem signs and more. I recommend this one.
You may be thinking that you’re following people on social and watching a few YouTube videos but two thoughts on that:
- Is your partner ALSO getting as prepared? (you want them in on this from the very beginning, trust me)
- You’re still likely to miss stuff if you don’t take a beginning to end class. This one guarantees you’ll find it to be worth it.
- I love that you’re doing that, as long as it’s trusted sources (be careful on that) it can really enhance a class and solidify your learning!
I actually recommend them most often on a second+ birth too — just something to think about. MANY people find them even MORE helpful after they have some previous experience.
Figure Out the Car Seat
Ok, again — easy may not fit on this one, but it CAN be easy (aka, go to a car seat tech or installation specialist to help you out).
Get the car seat installed, and figure out how to use it.
I recommend just using a rolled-up towel or stuffed animal to take the place of your baby, but learn how to buckle it, and get it in the car.
This really is one for your partner to mainly do. It can be really tight quarters in a car getting the seat shoved in enough to do it right. But, you can oversee it nicely. 🙂
Looking for more info on car seats? I love Jamie Grayson, he’s really opened my eyes to a bunch of things too!
Bonus: GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
I so often get questions on social media about things that providers should be answering. Things like:
- My doctor thinks I need an induction, what do you think?
- Do you think my baby is too big to come out?
- My doctor thinks I have preeclampisa, do you?
Every single one of those needs to be answered by your provider who knows you, your lab/vital signs and can really tailor the answer to you and your needs.
Remember, your provider’s job is to boil down your health situation (and the baby’s) and give you a recommendation. It’s NOT to make choices for you (although, it can be if there is an emergency — but that is rare). I have a great post on what to do if your doctor says your baby is big that can help this make more sense.
Asking questions is really your job in the patient/provider relationship, so make sure you’re doing that.
Also, it really helps to have the basics taken care of with a great prenatal class, so you can focus on YOU and your circumstances with your provider. So, that can help too!
Is that everything? No. Not even close. I actually have a pregnancy planner that has all my to-do lists that might help you out (good news, it comes in the bundle in here too).
What’s stressing you out about baby? Are you not feeling prepared or ready? This class actually has proven to help couples feel almost 80% more prepared than when they started, so that’s a good starting point. Tell us in the comments what YOU are doing to get ready for baby! You may also want to check out my longer list of things to do before going to the hospital.
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