Getting Ready for Childbirth

What to Do First

• Choose where you want to have your baby.
• Choose a health care provider.

How to Get Ready

• Get regular prenatal care from your health care provider.
  • Follow your provider’s advice.
  • Get answers for your questions.
• Read books on pregnancy and childbirth.
• Take a childbirth class, if you can.

Childbirth Classes Do These Things

• Tell you what happens when you give birth
• Show you and your partner (or other “coach”) what to do during labor and delivery
• Help lessen the fear of giving birth
• Help explain what happens with a Cesarean section (C-section). Knowing what to expect is helpful when a C-section is planned. It is helpful, too, if it is not planned, but needs to be done for the safety of you and your baby.
• Teach you how to work with the natural birthing process. You can do this through:
  • Exercises that make the muscles used in childbirth stronger
  • Massage
  • Focusing the mind
  • Relaxing and breathing methods

You can find out about childbirth classes from:

• Your health care provider
• The maternity department of local hospitals
• Local education and public health programs
• Local March of Dimes