Labor & Delivery

When you experience heavy contractions and go into labor, providers will be ready to care for you when you arrive at the hospital. Your baby may be delivered by your own doctor or provider, or another on-call physician. Or, you may be cared for by an OB/GYN who serves as a hospital laborist. Your care team will explain what to expect. If pregnancy complications arise, your doctor will work closely with you and in partnership with specialists as needed to provide a safe delivery for you and your newborn.

Natural birth can be described in two ways: for some women, a natural birth is a vaginal birth; for other women, a natural birth is a birth that occurs without medications for pain or interventions outside of the natural process. Natural birth has many benefits for both mom and baby, like more movement, better pain management and easier recovery.

• Giving birth naturally often requires position changes by mom to progress labor. Women who can move around can help progress the labor and are at less risk for baby being in a difficult position.
• More movement can also ease pain. Your body makes natural endorphins to help you manage the pain associated with birth; an epidural or pain medication affects that feedback loop meaning less good endorphins for you and baby.
• You may experience an easier recovery with a natural birth.

Under the guidance of lactation specialists, moms will be able to access education on the basics of latching on and positioning when it comes to breastfeeding newborns. Complications that may require more care can include swelling, redness or breast infection, known as mastitis. Continuing to feed even with the affected breast can help to reduce these conditions. If you have issues, contact your provider to discuss any questions you have.