Plumtree Baby Digital Preparing for Birth v3.1 | страница 3

Welcome!

Having a baby is an exciting and pivotal time in your life. It is important to be informed and proactive in order to make your pregnancy, labor and birth and postpartum experiences as healthy and positive as possible. Keep these tips in mind as you prepare for your upcoming birth.

1 Be a partner in your care. There is a lot to learn when having a baby, and no one is more invested in your child or your birth experience than you are. It's vital to stay engaged in your healthcare during pregnancy. You should feel comfortable asking your health care provider questions and feel supported in your health care decisions.

2 Establish your goals and priorities. You want a safe , positive birth experience that results in a healthy mother and baby. Although this is a simple concept, there are many different ideas about what that means and how to best achieve it. When you begin to understand your own perspectives about labor and birth, your goals become clearer. Then, you can make decisions to help reach your goals. You can use the pages in the back of this book to help clarify your priorities and communicate them with your health care team.

3 Designate a support person who will be with you throughout your labor. This may be your partner, a family member or friend, or a doula. Having a support person by your side is comforting and reassuring, and has many documented health advantages. Discuss your priorities and goals ahead of time so that your support person is prepared to advocate for you,if needed.

4 Be open to how your birth experience unfolds. Birth is unpredictable, and no amount of planning can guarantee that it will happen a certain way. Your education and preparation ahead of time will enable you to handle a variety of different situations. When you trust yourself and your birth team (support people and medical care team) to navigate the unexpected, you'll be able to face your birth calmly and confidently. Being open will also help you feel positive about your experience, whatever it may bring.