Labor & Delivery

When you are in labor, you’ll want to be ready to leave for the hospital. It’s best if you pack a small bag for labor and delivery, and another bag that your support person can bring later to your postpartum room. 

For labor and delivery, we suggest these items: 

• Phone or camera
• Phone charger
• Phone numbers of people you’ll call after the baby is born  
• A few snacks  
• A few toiletries, such as lip balm  
• Other items you or your support person plan to use during labor 

For your postpartum room, we suggest you leave these items in the car for someone to bring you later: 

• Nightgowns with an opening in front for breastfeeding, if applicable  
• Robe and slippers  
• Nursing bra, if applicable
• Loose clothes for your trip home, since your body won’t yet be at its pre-pregnancy size 
• Clothes for the baby to wear home (at least a T-shirt and blanket, as well as other clothes good for the weather) 

Review these other helpful resources so you can be prepared for your hospital stay: 

• Your stay at BIDMC
• Visiting hours and policies

Here are things we recommend you learn about ahead of time:

• Check with your insurance company regarding coverage for both you and your baby. Typically, insurance pays for two nights in the hospital if you deliver vaginally and four nights if you have a cesarean birth.
• Ask if your insurance plan covers a home visit by a nurse. Find out if this is available for everyone, or only for mothers who choose to leave the hospital early.
• Make sure you know how to add your baby to your family health insurance plan.

If you don’t have health insurance or another way to cover your hospital bill, please call our financial assistance office at 617-667-5661. Someone will be happy to help you and explain your options.

You choose who can best support you during the stages of labor and the birth of your baby. As your due date approaches, talk about what you need with those who will be supporting you. Other things to know:

• Let other family and friends know ahead of time that you’d prefer they wait to visit until you are in your postpartum room.
• Our staff welcomes those supporting you in your room. On occasion, we may need to limit the number of people in the room for safety or privacy reasons.
• For your safety and your baby’s safety, support persons should not come to the hospital if they don’t feel well. Our staff may ask your family or friends questions about symptoms to make sure they aren’t feeling sick.

Doula for Labor Support

Doulas are a welcomed addition to your care team at BIDMC. Doulas offer their services before, during and after the labor and birth process. Doulas do not provide clinical support. However, they can provide one-on-one comfort measures, reassurance and information useful to weighing decisions about birth interventions.

Doulas also improve communication between clinical providers, the birthing person and their family. For example, doulas help you form questions and express your preferences.

If you choose to use a birth doula, you’ll meet with your doula at least once during your pregnancy, and again soon after delivery. Doulas may help with newborn feeding, maternal self-care and emotional and physical recovery from birth.

Talk with your obstetrical provider about options for pain control during labor and delivery. Understand the risks and benefits of each type of pain control before you go into labor, whether or not you plan to use them.

You may decide ahead of time on a plan for managing your pain, but during labor you may want to change your mind. In this case, it’s best if you have learned as much as you can about your options so you can make an informed decision.

Throughout your labor and delivery process, your entire care team focuses on the health and safety of you and your baby. Your care team will use the type of delivery that’s best for your situation. Here are the types of deliveries:

• Vaginal delivery. During this type, the provider delivers the baby through your vaginal canal.
• Unscheduled cesarean delivery. You and the provider may make the decision during labor to deliver the baby by cesarean. You may need an unscheduled cesarean if labor isn’t progressing after a long time, or when there are changes in the baby’s heart rate.
• Scheduled cesarean delivery. Sometimes, your obstetrician will recommend a cesarean birth because of certain factors in your pregnancy. These situations include baby in breech position (head up), placental disorders or multiple-birth babies.
• Repeat cesarean delivery. If you’ve had a cesarean birth in the past, you and your obstetrician may decide on a repeat cesarean for this pregnancy. Situations for repeat cesarean include previous cesarean delivery with vertical incision (cut) or extensive prior uterine surgery.
• Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). If you had a cesarean in the past, talk with your obstetrical provider ahead of time about whether trying a vaginal birth is a good choice for you. The decision to select VBAC is personal. Our medical center has the expertise and required equipment to safely offer VBAC.

If you’ll be returning to work after your baby’s birth, be sure to begin your search for childcare early. You’ll need time to find someone or someplace you are comfortable with. Many resources are available to help you in your search.

A good place to start is by dialing 211 to reach Mass 211, a program that provides free information on health and human service resources in the state.

Find out about any maternity leave or disability insurance you may be entitled to through your employer.

Begin to explore ways you can continue breastfeeding after you return to work. There are many resources available in print and online that can help. Talk with your employer about a private area where you can pump your milk — and a refrigerator for safe storage — while you are at work.