Preparing for Birth
Technically, you’ve already been preparing for birth throughout your pregnancy, but now might be the time to take a few
While you can take classes about pregnancy and preparing for baby throughout your pregnancy, it’s good to have some special coaching in the weeks leading up to the birth to plan for that experience.
Birthing Techniques
Two common methods for childbirth breathing, relaxation, and exercise are the Lamaze technique and the Bradley method. Each of these has a different philosophy.
For example the Lamaze technique encourages women to be empowered through birth by education and support to approach this natural and healthy process.
The Bradley method also places emphasis on the natural approach to childbirth, but particularly on partner coaching. Your partner or husband will be your birth coach, and the major goal of the philosophy is to give birth without medications unless you absolutely need them.
Writing a Birth Plan
Technically, you’ve already been preparing for birth throughout your pregnancy, but now might be the time to take a few prenatal classes specifically about labor and delivery.
You may also want to consider writing a birth plan. Birth plans help your doctor and/or midwife remember the particulars of your case and your preferences or choices throughout the experience. Here are a few things that a written birth plan can help you choose:
- Do you want to be able to walk around and move as you choose? This may mean delaying the placement of an IV (and meanwhile drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated).
- Do you want to let your water break naturally?
- What pain relief techniques do you want to use?
- Do you want to be offered pain medication?
- Do you want coaching on when to push?
- Do you want to touch your baby’s head when they crown?
Planning for these and other choices will help smooth your labor and delivery experience as much as possible.
Resources & Programs for Parents-to-Be
Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic
The first trimester can be an exciting, confusing, and overwhelming experience. Our Early Pregnancy Care team providers offer comprehensive, non-judgmental early pregnancy care.
Utah Pregnancy After Loss Program
The Utah Pregnancy After Loss Program is designed specifically to support families after a pregnancy loss, newborn death, or severely complicated pregnancy.
UPWARD: Utah Peripartum Pelvic Floor Wellness and Recovery After Delivery Program
Many pregnant mothers have pelvic floor symptoms before and up to 12 months following birth. UPWARD offers expert care to women experiencing pelvic floor issues during a vulnerable time.
YoMingo®: Prenatal Education on the Go
U of U Health offers anytime, anywhere education for expectant mothers through YoMingo®, with all the tools and support you need at every stage of your pregnancy. Find information on prenatal care, labor & birth, postpartum, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
Perinatal Education
Childbearing is an exciting time of growth, change, and personal choices for you and your family. To help you prepare, we offer perinatal education on a variety of subjects related to your pregnancy.
Choosing a Hospital or Birthing Space
It's never too early to begin thinking about the birthing process (if those words can even begin to express the life-changing experience you are about to have). Here are some things to consider.
