Prenatal Tips for the First Trimester
There are some decisions you will have to make regarding your childbirth, including where to deliver your baby. Depending on where you live, you might be able to deliver at a hospital, a birthing center, or in your home. If you want to deliver at a hospital, find out if your doctor delivers babies at the hospital on your insurance plan.
Visit the hospital before you give birth to get familiar with it and avoid misunderstandings:
- Take a tour of the hospital to find out about their procedures.
- Ask your doctor to tell you about his procedure for a regular delivery.
- Ask questions; don’t be embarrassed that you may not know something about the birth.
Another decision to make is how you want your baby to be born. Will it be natural childbirth? Whether you choose this type of childbirth or not, taking a childbirth class will help answer questions about giving birth. Childbirth classes may be offered by your hospital, a community agency, or community college.
Depending on your doctor, you may be able to make some of these decisions:
- Who you want to be in the room with you during labor
- What type of position you want to be in for pushing
- What type of atmosphere you want in the room, like lighting or music
- What you want to eat or drink during labor
- What kinds of medicine you want to use
