Preparing for Childbirth: Expert Tips for Moms-to-Be

Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience, the magical journey towards welcoming your little one into the world. It’s also an opportunity for moms-to-be to get prepared for the process of childbirth—as well as what comes next.

Abby Banter, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, and Riverside Family Birthing Center night shift team lead, offers helpful information so women feel much more comfortable when labor and delivery arrives.

Birthing Class Benefits

Banter highly encourages expectant moms participate in a childbirth class, which covers a number of different aspects of labor, delivery, and the early postpartum period. Women will learn about signs of labor, different delivery methods, common interventions, and pregnancy-related complications to watch for during and after delivery. They will also learn about a variety of pain management options, all the way from breathing and relaxation techniques to medication and epidurals.

“The ultimate goal of a childbirth class is to increase your knowledge and understanding of the birthing process so you can feel more confident in your body's ability to give birth. This will help ease some of the anxiety that can surround the birthing process,” states Banter. “These classes are also able to help partners understand their role in supporting the birthing person and give them confidence to know how to advocate for them. And, as a bonus, you get to meet other expectant parents who are going through the similar experiences as you.”

Plan and Practice, Practice, Practice

A second strategy Banter advises is to “plan and practice.” She suggests thinking about personal experiences with stress and pain and how you best cope with those adversities. Many techniques can be helpful, such as meditation, breathing techniques, movement, position changes, massage, aromatherapy, visualization, relaxation techniques, counter pressure, and music.

“Try them out ahead of time, make a list of the ones you like and want to use during labor, and practice them ahead of time. For example, if you want to use guided relaxation or meditation techniques, choose a video or a sound clip ahead of time so you're familiar with the sequence and to make sure the voice and music are calming and relaxing to you,” notes Banter.

Document Your Birth Plan

Many women have a picture in their mind of how they want their labor and delivery to go. Banter says it’s beneficial to share that birth plan with your OB provider, as well as your birthing support person. This helps you advocate for yourself when you may not be able to communicate your wishes fully, such as if you are having severely painful contractions when you arrive to the hospital.

However, keep in mind that having a birth plan is not a guarantee that labor and delivery is going to go according to that plan. Unexpected events can happen, and you're allowed to change your mind about what you want during your labor as well. “Your safety and the safety of baby is always a top priority,” assures Banter.

What to Include in Your “Go Bag”

Logistically, Banter recommends packing your “go bag” by week 32 at the latest. Approximately 12% of babies in the U.S. are born before term, which is 37 weeks or earlier. You want to make sure you have everything ready to go so you’re not scrambling at the last minute or relying on someone else to gather your desired items.

There are certain items you definitely want to have, such as an ID and insurance card, as well as a printed birth plan. Many women select to bring comfortable clothing (pajamas, robe, slippers) and a pillow and/or blanket, as well as their preferred toiletries. It’s probably a good idea to have an extra long cell phone charger, as outlets aren’t always in the most convenient locations in hospital rooms.

“If you have anything particular you want, you can definitely bring that in with you,” urges Banter. “Riverside is going to provide meals for mom and a support person during your stay, but you may want to have some snacks or something like that, too, during the labor process. Also, think of comfort items you might want to help with relaxation, like a Bluetooth speaker, diffuser, personal fan, framed photo, or stress ball.”

Preparing for labor and delivery can seem overwhelming, but with the right knowledge, planning, and practice, it can be an empowering experience. By taking childbirth classes, developing and sharing a flexible birth plan, and having a well-packed go bag, expectant parents can feel more confident and ready for the journey ahead. With the support of experienced professionals like Abby Banter and the team at Riverside’s Family Birthing Center, you can focus on what matters most—welcoming your little one into the world safely and comfortably.

For more information about pregnancy & childbirth at Riverside click here.