Maternity Care

Birthing Guidelines

Most births are natural experiences, and the physicians at Women First want you to have as natural a birth experience as possible. We also view pregnancy and delivery as a cooperative endeavor between physician and patient to provide a healthy outcome for both mother and baby. The following guidelines for a typical birth help you bring your baby into the world safely and naturally.

Presence of husband or significant other at all times through labor and delivery
Presence of baby’s siblings if appropriately prepared
No shave prep
No enema
Saline lock rather than continuous IV fluid
Labor positioning as you desire
No episiotomy unless necessary for delivery of your baby
Option to use nitrous oxide for pain relief during labor
Intermittent fetal monitoring after 30 minutes when a normal fetal heart rate is documented
Wireless telemetry
Spontaneous delivery of the placenta
Ambulation in early stages of labor provided fetal heart rate is checked
Ice chips, popsicles and sips of clear liquids
Kangaroo Care (skin-to-skin holding of newborn baby)
Delayed cord clamping

Your Personalized Birthing Plan

At Women First, we believe in helping you champion your own birthing experience so that it is all you’ve ever imagined it to be. Our birthing plan guide is designed to help you consider your personal preferences for the childbirth process. If you are interested in customizing your birthing options, please download the Women First Birthing Plan PDF here, select your preferences, and bring them to your 36-week appointment to review with your physician. You will also need to bring a copy with you to the hospital to give to your labor and delivery nurse on the “big day”!

As much as we want to help you experience a natural childbirth, some births require a little extra help. That may mean that your first preference for your birthing plan is not possible—to ensure your safety and that of your baby. If that should happen, we’ll keep you informed of your new choices and work closely with you to achieve your birthing goals in a safe and nurturing delivery environment.

The following interventions may be used if needed for your baby’s or your wellbeing.

Pitocin IV to assist contractions and to prevent hemorrhage
Rupture of membranes
Oxygen administration
Continuous fetal monitoring by internal monitors
Cesarean section
Manual delivery of placenta should hemorrhage occur

Each birth is unique to that mother and child, and the guidelines and procedures shown here certainly don’t make up an exhaustive list of what can happen during labor and delivery. We encourage you to talk with your doctor about your wishes for labor and delivery, share your Birthing Plan guide selections at your 36-week visit, and bring us any questions you have at any time. Your Care Team wants to have a positive relationship with you, based on mutual respect and a true partnership for the benefit of you and your baby.