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University of Maine Cooperative
Extension
Bulletin #4216
Getting Ready
Now that your baby is nearly due, you are probably getting impatient. Sometimes, it seems like the baby will never arrive. But he or she will — and soon!
Having a new baby is like starting a new job! Of course, you’ll be getting “on-the-job-training” after your baby is born. This fact sheet offers information and suggestions to help you prepare for the times ahead.
It’s not too soon to think about how you’re going to care for yourself after your baby’s birth.
How about lining up some friends and relatives to help out with the new baby, particularly the first week or two at home?
Fathers, have you considered taking some time off work? It’s important for you to feel part of things.
If you don’t expect to have people around to help, prepare some simple one-course meals in advance and freeze them. If you don’t have freezer space, stock up on some simple-to-prepare foods, so that you don’t have to spend a lot of time and energy cooking the first few days.
There are several ways to have your baby. Your doctor, nurse or a trained midwife can help you decide which is the safest and healthiest way for you and your child.
Having a baby is one of the natural events of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s painless! Many mothers need or want anesthetic medications to help them during childbirth. Anesthetics are pain killers. Some are inhaled through a mask and others are given by injection. After she has taken the anesthetic, the mother will be relaxed and drowsy.
The terms “natural childbirth” and “prepared childbirth” refer to any birth where the mother wants to actively experience the birth with as little medication as possible.
One of the most popular natural childbirth methods is called the Lamaze method. The mother-to-be learns breathing and relaxing exercises with the help of a partner. It is believed that fear makes the mother tense, and tension results in pain and difficulty during labor. That’s why the Lamaze-trained mother and her partner practice the breathing exercises and body positions during pregnancy so they’re prepared for the birth.
If you want to find out more about this method of childbirth, check with your clinic, doctor or the local health department.
With this kind of birth, surgery is performed to make things easier for the mother and baby. An incision is made through the abdominal wall and the uterus (womb) so that the baby can be born. (In births other than Cesarean, the baby moves through the vaginal canal until he emerges.) In the United States, almost 20 percent of all babies are born by Cesarean section. You may have heard it called a “C-section.” There are several conditions that might make a Cesarean birth necessary — for example, if the mother’s pelvic opening is too small for the baby to pass through, or if the mother’s health or the baby’s health may be in danger.
Any baby weighing less than five pounds at birth, or born earlier than a full-term baby (nine months) is called a premature baby or a “preemie.” These babies stay in the hospital for a few weeks to receive special care before going home to their parents.
Hospital
Most women have their babies delivered in a hospital by a doctor and the hospital staff. If you want to have your baby in a hospital, but don’t have a doctor yet and are not being seen at a clinic, call your city or county health department, your county nurses association or your local hospital. If you cannot find these phone numbers easily in the phone book, call information to get the number.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are planning to have your baby in a hospital.
Keep the phone numbers of your doctor, clinic or hospital handy, plus the phone number of a friend or relative.
Find out which hospital entrance to use, especially at night, and where you should go.
Find out how long it takes to get to the hospital. Then when your labor pains start, you won’t be worried about getting to the hospital on time.
Ask what kind of arrangements the hospital offers. Will your baby stay in the same room with you (rooming-in service)? Or will your baby be cared for in a nursery and brought to you only at feeding times?
Ask the hospital for a tour of the maternity ward, nursery, and labor and delivery rooms so that you will be familiar with the surroundings.
Find out what you need to bring to the hospital with you. Ask if you should bring things like a nightgown, slippers, robe, toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. You may feel more relaxed if you have a small bag packed and ready to go. It may seem silly to you now, but it helps to know that you are prepared.
Don’t be embarrassed about asking questions. Ask, and get the answers! Remember, it is your first time around as a parent, and you are entitled to know what to expect from your doctor and from the hospital.
Alternative Birth Center
Many hospitals now have alternative birth centers as part of their services. An alternative birth center offers the attention of a medical staff in a home-like atmosphere. The mother stays before, during and after the birth in a special room, and has the choice of having the father of the baby, relatives or friends present to help during labor and delivery. If you’re interested in more information on alternative birth centers in your area, write to: International Childbirth Education Association, Box 20048, Minneapolis, MN 55420.
Home
If you are interested in having your baby delivered at home, you should be assisted by a midwife. The midwife is a registered nurse who has special training and experience in the care of pregnant mothers and the birthing of babies. A midwife does not use medication or surgery during the birth. In emergencies, a doctor is called right away. If you are interested in this type of birth, call your local county nurses association or the city or county health department for advice and information.
You can use a crib, a car bed or a cradle. Here are some things you should look for in new or used cribs.
Mattress should be tight-fitting. If you can slip two or more fingers between the mattress and slats, put rolled up towels between them. Or replace with snug-fitting mattress. Don’t use a pillow.
The safety latch to drop the crib-side should be one that baby can’t work. (A foot release is handy for parents). Sides should be high enough so that baby can’t climb over them.
All wooden surfaces should be smooth and free of splinters, with no rough or sharp edges.
Damaged teething rails on used cribs should be removed.
All plastic packaging from new cribs should be removed.
Studies show that infants who sleep on their stomachs have a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also called “crib death.” To help prevent SIDS, put baby to bed on her back (NOT on sides or tummy) for the first six months on a firm mattress. Use lightweight blankets and tuck bedding in securely at the foot of the crib. Other factors that increase the risk of SIDS are: diet (breastfeeding may reduce an infant’s risk); secondhand smoke; and room temperature (avoid a warm, stuffy room).
Your baby doesn’t need an expensive wardrobe. Here are some suggestions for your baby’s clothes.
Two to three one-piece stretch suits or long gowns
Three to four small undershirts (ones with snaps are easier)
Four pairs of waterproof pants
Two to three dozen cloth diapers (or supply of disposable)
Four diaper pins for cloth diapers
Three to four small cotton blankets. One or two warmer blankets
Make riding in a car as safe as possible for your baby. Buckle up your baby.
All babies — including newborn infants coming home from the hospital — should ride in special infant car safety seats. The most dangerous way for an infant to travel is in mother’s lap. A sudden stop of the
car can throw a baby who is not in a proper safety seat against the dashboard or through a car window.
Babies up to 9 months old (weighing up to 20 pounds) should ride in a properly designed infant car safety seat. Even though infant car safety seats are expensive, they are necessary to protect babies from car injuries. Make sure the seat and your baby are facing the back of the car.
The car’s safety belt will either attach through or over the infant car safety seat, depending on the brand.
When deciding on a car safety seat, you can choose:
An infant car safety seat (replacing it with a toddler’s seat as your child grows); or
a special car seat that can be used for either infants or toddlers.
Here are some don’ts to make car riding safe:
Don’t hold babies on laps.
Don’t use an infant carrier seat as a car seat. They are not safe.
Don’t leave children alone in a car.
Don’t leave car doors unlocked.
Don’t leave any sharp or heavy objects on the rear car shelf or seat. They may hit the child if the car stops suddenly.
The American Trauma Society has a list of different car safety seat models. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a note requesting infant car safety seat information to American Trauma Society, University of California, S. F., 839 HSE, San Francisco, CA 94143. In Maine, contact Maine Coalition for Safe Kids, Box J, Temple, ME 04984, (207) 778-2251.
Babies love to be the center of things. They also love to be close to you. With an infant carrier seat, a baby can be a part of family life. You can use the infant carrier when feeding or carrying your baby, but it does not keep your baby safe in the car.
When choosing an infant carrier, make sure the seat is deep enough and has a chest and/or crotch strap so your baby won’t slide out. Look for a seat with a wide base and a nonskid bottom.
Here are some rules for safe use of infant carrier seats:
Always use the seat belt or crotch strap.
Stay within arm’s reach when the infant carrier seat is on a high place like a table, sofa or store counter.
Be careful when using an infant carrier seat in a shopping cart. Your baby may wiggle and fall out of the cart.
For more information on family issues, contact your county Extension office or the Family Living Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 5717 Corbett Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5717, (207) 581-3448/3104 or 1-800-287-0274 (in Maine).
Published and distributed in furtherance of Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Land Grant University of the state of Maine and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Cooperative Extension and other agencies of the U.S.D.A. provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.
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Last Modified:
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