Pregnancy & Prenatal Care
What to Do First
* Choose where you want to have your baby.
* Choose a health care provider.
How to Get Ready
* Read books on pregnancy and childbirth.
* Take a childbirth class, if you can.
* Get regular prenatal care from your health care provider.
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 programs
* Local March of Dimes
© American Institute for Preventive Medicine