Around the last month of your delivery you should know where you want to give birth. Perhaps the choice is related to your insurance, the expected difficulties or experiences with a previous birth (for example, a caesarean section). You can choose a hospital in your neighborhood. Not all hospitals have a maternity ward. A hospital with a maternity ward is also called birth clinic or women's clinic.
If you have a cesarean section or are expected to have problems, you need a hospital where medical specialists are present and are able to act where necessary. Women who live too far away from a hospital can not give birth at home. After all, if there were complications during childbirth it would take too long before you can reach the hospital.
Before the delivery you have the opportunity to take a look during open days. Find out how you can make it as easy as possible for the midwife, doctors and yourself so that you can look forward to childbirth with confidence. Register in advance if that has not been done yet.
Who is present at the birth?
Some - but not all - centers have no problems with the presence of others besides the father and perhaps your own doctor or midwife. If you want to take a special friend or relative with you, you will need to discuss this in advance.
Who cuts the umbilical cord?
Sometimes the father does this to be involved in the delivery process, but sometimes doesn't want to. Speak to him beforehand.
Can you breastfeed?
It is easiest when you pick up the breastfeeding routine immediately after birth. Therefore, decide before giving birth if you want to breastfeed. As you probably already know, breastfeeding is recommended during the first year of the baby's life. Hospitals also encourage this choice and will help as much as possible with your baby to make this possible.
If for any reason you cannot or decide not to breastfeed, baby powder milk after breast milk is the best choice.
Before you leave the hospital
Although hospital stays are getting shorter and shorter, there are a number of things that have to happen before you can go home again. Hospital staff will first have to determine whether your condition is stable and whether the baby is developing as expected. If you do not know enough about breastfeeding, you can now ask about it so that you are not in doubt at home.
Immediately after the delivery
Baby's first check-up. Where is my baby going? You might wonder why the sisters take your baby from you immediately after birth. A number of things are being done in the delivery room, some of them may be urgent for baby's sake. Fathers can possibly take pictures if that is allowed.
Hospital staff record the health of the baby and do some routine activities including:
In addition to checking the baby, you are also checked for the following points:
The staff will also encourage you to quickly go to the toilet. A bidet is useful to clean the area around the vagina or, if possible, take a shower in order to rinse yourself nice and clean.
Also see these information articles: · Acupuncture · Doula · Induction · Pain · Preparations · Waterbirth