As you get closer to your due date, you need to make plans for your labor and delivery, your hospital stay, how you will feed your baby, and newborn care. We encourage you to learn about these topics and take an active role in making these choices. 

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Making decisions before labor begins can help your hospital stay go more smoothly.

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The information below is meant to help you prepare. Please talk with your provider if you have any questions or concerns. You will review your decisions in more detail with your provider at your 36-week appointment.

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HOSPITAL OF DELIVERY

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Our providers deliver babies at UNC Health Nash Hospital. The hospital also has nurse midwives and physicians from Obstetrics Hospitalist Group (OBHG) available 24/7: no what time you arrive, you’ll have immediate access to experienced providers ready to care for you. To help your care go smoothly, we share your medical records with the hospital before your delivery, so the staff is prepared to care for you and your baby when you arrive.

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You can find information about the Women’s Center, special care nursery, visiting hours, patient services, and billing on the Nash Women’s Center website at www.nashwomenscenter.org.

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We recommend that you pre-register with the hospital about two months before your due date. You received a pre-registration form at your OB Intake Appointment with the Perinatal Nurse Educator. After completing the form, mail it to the hospital Admissions Office using the pre-stamped envelope provided. Pre-registering helps make your hospital admission faster when labor begins.

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During your hospital stay, please follow all hospital rules and policies. These rules, including visiting hours, are in place to help you rest and recover and to spend time bonding with your baby. Too many visitors can be tiring and may make it harder for you to feel ready to care for your newborn once you go home.

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You will receive a separate bill from the hospital for labor, delivery, and newborn care. If you have questions about hospital charges, you may contact the Business Office at 252-962-8030.

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PREPARING FOR THE HOSPITAL

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Around 34 weeks, you should begin packing your hospital bag. Many pregnancy websites, such as www.babycenter.com, www.parents.com, and www.whattoexpect.com, offer helpful packing lists. Be sure to pack items for yourself and your baby. Important items include a going-home outfit and a blanket for your baby.

 

You must have a properly installed car seat to take your newborn home. You can find car seat safety information on the ACOG website. Many local fire departments also have trained staff who can check your car seat to make sure it is installed correctly.

 

PAIN MANAGEMENT DURING LABOR

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Many women will experience discomfort or pain during labor & delivery. The amount of pain or discomfort a woman experiences during labor varies from person to person. Many factors influence the amount of discomfort a woman may experience. These factors may include the size and position of the baby, strength of uterine contractions, and individual pain tolerance.

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There are several different options available for pain management, ranging from breathing & relaxation techniques, local anesthesia [creates a numbness in a small area], to systemic analgesia [medications given IV or by injection that lessens pain], and regional anesthesia/epidural [blocks all feeling including pain].  We encourage our patients to become educated about the different types of pain management that are available.  Pain management is discussed in detail in the prepared childbirth classes offered in our office and information may also be gained from ACOG website [www.acog.org – Labor, delivery and postpartum care]. 

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Several factors influence how pain is managed. These include the patient’s condition, circumstances of a patient’s labor, & the patient’s individual preference. Certain conditions make one type of anesthesia preferable to another type.  The final decision regarding pain management cannot be made until the time of labor/delivery and will be made by your provider. However, we will make every attempt to use the type of pain management that you desire unless it is medically unsafe for either you or your baby.  We encourage you to discuss any specific plans your have for birth with your medical provider.

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CORD BLOOD BANKING

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Cord blood banking is an option or choice you may wish to consider.  The term “cord blood” is used to describe the blood that remains in the cord and placenta after the baby is born. Special cells, called umbilical cord stem cells, are found in cord blood. These special cells may help treat numerous kinds of serious diseases, such as disorders of the blood, immune system, and metabolism. Parents may wish to collect and store cord blood for potential future health care needs for their child or other family members. There is no risk associated with cord blood collection for either the mother or baby. Information regarding cord blood banking can be found on the following websites: www.acog.org; www.viacord.com; www.cordblood.com; www.Alphacord.com. Private cord blood banking companies charge fees for storage. The Carolinas Cord Blood Bank at Duke University allows you to donate your baby’s cord blood to a public cord blood bank at no charge. Learn more at marcuscenter.duke.edu.

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CHOOSING A NEWBORN CARE PROVIDER

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Prior to delivery, we encourage you to select a medical provider for your baby. Your newborn will need to have regular check-ups in the first years of life. Pediatricians, family practice providers, and some local health departments are examples of types of providers that may care for your newborn. When choosing this provider it is most helpful to research different medical providers’ websites and talk with friends and family members about their experiences with different providers. Local Medical Providers for Newborn Care >

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Once you have decided on a particular provider or practice, you should contact the specific office and request information on the process of accepting new patients. Please be aware that this process of accepting new patients may take several weeks. Most breastfed infants are seen within one week after discharge for a weight check. For these reasons and to avoid unnecessary anxiety, we encourage you to choose the medical provider for your newborn prior to your delivery. Newborn care topics such as formula choices, circumcision, and immunizations should all be addressed with your newborn care provider.

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INFANT FEEDING

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Prior to delivery, you will also want to choose how your newborn will be fed. Breastfeeding is highly encouraged as there are numerous benefits for both mother and baby. We recognize that choosing a feeding method is a highly personal choice for patients; we encourage you to thoroughly investigate both breast and bottlefeeding before making your choice. Attending the breastfeeding class taught at the Nash Women’s Center is an excellent way to learn more information about the benefits and process of breastfeeding. If you formula feed, your newborn care provider will make recommendations on formula preferences.

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BIRTH CONTROL [FAMILY PLANNING] AFTER DELIVERY

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Prior to delivery, you may want to consider what type of birth control or family planning method you would like to use after delivery. A variety of options are available, ranging from fertility awareness methods, barrier methods [condoms, spermicides, diaphragm, cervical caps, sponges], hormonal methods [birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, IUDs], and permanent sterilization [tubal ligation for females, vasectomy for males]. Your medical provider is available to discuss with you what method may be best for you.

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While child spacing and family size is an individual choice, it is medically recommended that pregnancies are spaced at least 18 months apart [from delivery to next conception]; this allows adequate time for the mother’s body to return to a full state of health prior to her next pregnancy.