5 Tips For Having a Positive Hospital Birth
Hospital births sometimes get a bad rap. In reality, a hospital birth can be a beautiful and empowering experience with the right mindset and preparation. With a little knowledge and planning, you can navigate the hospital setting with confidence and ease. Here are 5 essential tips to help you achieve a positive and fulfilling hospital birth.
Know your rights within the hospital system-
Knowing your rights within the hospital system during labor is crucial for empowering you to make informed choices within your birth experience. Hospitals are often seen as places where medical professionals are in charge of every decision but as a laboring person with a voice, you absolutely have the right to be an informed and active participant in your care. Do all hospitals have ‘policies’ in place to help protect them? Of course. Are these policies laws? Absolutely not. Do you have to abide by every hospital policy? Also no. Understanding your rights allows you to advocate for yourself and help ensure that your preferences, values, and comfort are respected during such an important time. Whether it’s choosing your birthing position, deciding what you want to wear during labor, having a support person by your side, or declining certain interventions, knowing your rights ensures that you maintain autonomy over your body and your birth experience. Being informed can reduce anxiety/fear, promote confidence, and help you feel more in control when it matters most. If you aren’t sure about specific hospital policies- feel free to ask ahead of time! Take a tour of the hospital before your birth and gather any information you might need to make important decisions during birth.
Take a childbirth education class-
Taking a childbirth education class is one of the best ways to set yourself up for a positive hospital birth experience. These classes not only provide valuable information of the stages of labor, pain management options, and common medical interventions, but they also empower you to communicate effectively with your healthcare team. By understanding what to expect, you can reduce anxiety and set yourself up to make informed decisions. Childbirth education classes also help you feel more confident in advocating for yourself while navigating the hospital setting (we love the B.R.A.I.N. method!) Ultimately, being well-prepared increases your chances of having a more satisfying and positive birth experience, no matter what unfolds. Check out our doula-taught Orlando, FL based childbirth education class here.
Create your own beautiful, calming environment-
Let’s be real, hospitals aren’t necessarily known for being the coziest and most relaxing places. In birth, we rely heavily on a hormone called Oxytocin- the ‘love’ hormone. This is a notoriously shy hormone, and one that likes to hide from bright lights, loud noises, strangers, etc. So naturally, the hospital isn’t Oxytocin’s favorite place. However- we can manipulate the environment to make it more ‘labor friendly.’ Consider a five senses approach to this- sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Seemingly simple things like dimming the lights or bringing battery-operated candles/fairy lights can make a world of difference. I always also recommend bringing some comfort items from home- like a pillow, eye mask, fuzzy blanket, or pictures of your kids/fur babies. Anything that is going to bring you peace and comfort in the moment is a win. Another one of my favorite things to recommend to clients and friends is to diffuse essential oils to make it smell less…well, sterile. My favorites for labor are clary sage, lavender, and peppermint. Music/hypnobirthing tracks on a portable speaker or headphones can also help to set the mood of the room- and yes, you are allowed to play these things during your labor. At the end of the day, this is you and your baby’s birthday party- so be the party planner, mama. And make it one heck of a party!
Know (and practice!) your coping strategies-
Labor can will be intense and unpredictable, but having a toolkit of effective coping techniques can help you manage your contractions, stay focused, and feel empowered throughout your birth journey. And yes, this even applies to those people who know they want the epidural ahead of time. Majority of the time, all birthing people will experience some discomforts of labor at some point or another. Whether it is breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, or counter pressure from a partner, these strategies can make a huge difference in how you experience labor, especially in the hospital. Learning about and practicing these methods ahead of time builds confidence and ensures that you and your birth team are prepared for whatever comes your way. This goes for your birth partner(s) as well! The time to learn how to do a proper hip squeeze is NOT in the throws of labor- believe me. It is also important to be aware of the different pain management options you will have access to ahead of time, such as access to a bath tub or shower in your hospital room. By being proactive in preparing for labor, you’re more likely to feel in control and better equipped to handle the challenges of birth.
Hire a birth doula-
Ok so maybe I’m biased here, but I truly believe hiring a birth doula can make a world of difference in having a positive hospital birth. Doulas not only provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support, but they also help you navigate the hospital environment with calm and confidence. Most of the time, a doula will have been to your birthing hospital a number of times in the past and (bonus points!) might even be familiar with the staff/doctors. They can help you to advocate for yourself and your birth preferences, while also providing hands-on comfort measures and guidance throughout labor (for you and your partner!). With a doula by your side, you’re much more likely to feel empowered, supported, and cared for during your hospital birth. Check out the research behind doulas and our birth doula services here.