Labor and Birth Education

It is important to create a birth plan during pregnancy and discuss your labor and birth options with your care team. With your care team you will develop the best possible plan and begin the process of shared decision making. Shared decision making is important as it can create a new relationship between individuals and professionals based on partnership.

Some of your decisions before and during childbirth may affect your risk of cesarean. These decisions are best made in collaboration with your provider during your prenatal visits, well in advance of labor. Here are some common decision points:

• Whether to wait for labor to begin on its own (induction of labor may increase your risk of cesarean)
• Whether to be admitted to the hospital in early labor or to wait until active labor (being admitted in active labor improves your chances of having a vaginal birth)
• How to monitor your baby’s heart rate during labor (low-risk women who are continuously monitored may be more likely to have a cesarean)
• Whether to have continuous labor support by a trained caregiver like a doula (continuous labor support improves your chance of having a vaginal birth)
• How to help manage labor pain and labor progress
• How to stay hydrated and maintain strength during labor
• Whether to remain mobile and upright during labor
• How to push around the time of birth
• What practices to engage in shortly after your baby is born and before you go home

Classes can also be a helpful tool in planning for your labor. View a full list of childbirth and parenting class options in Southeast Michigan and in Southwest and West Michigan.