Labor and Delivery
Whether you are preparing for your first arrival or adding another member to your family, understanding the labor and delivery journey helps provide peace of mind. Explore the resources below to learn more about preparing for birth, what to expect during your stay, and the specialized care we provide for both you and your newborn after delivery.
For detailed information regarding our specific birthing facilities, please visit:
Preparing for childbirth
A new baby brings countless joys and many changes to your life, expected and unexpected. We want the transition to motherhood to be as easy and memorable as possible, and we want you to know what to expect from labor and delivery.
Planning ahead
As your due date draws near, you and your partner will need to discuss and decide on several important aspects of your birth plans. You'll need to plan transportation, arrange child care if you have other children, and choose a physician for your new baby. If you need a family physician or pediatrician, visit our online physician directory.
What to pack
A few weeks before your due date, it’s a good idea to prepare and pack any items you’ll need to bring to the hospital for yourself and your baby. You’ll want to pack a labor bag and a suitcase with things to use after your delivery. A labor bag includes the items you need only during labor.
For mom
- Comfortable pajamas, robe and rubber-soled slippers (breastfeeding gowns are provided)
- Hairbrush/comb
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Cosmetics and deodorant
- Lip balm
- Comfortable, loose clothing to wear home
For labor partner
- Favorite music and player to help you relax
- Camera, video camera
- Baby’s book for footprints
- Favorite pictures to use as a focal point
- Change to use at the vending machines
- List of phone numbers of people to call after delivery
- Copy of your current medical insurance card
For baby
- Undershirt and sleeper
- Outfit to wear home
- Socks or booties
- Receiving blankets
- Outerwear and blanket (depending on the weather)
- Approved infant car seat
Childbirth classes
Part of feeling confident in what to expect from labor and delivery is understanding childbirth. Our classes will help give you confidence and reassurance to make this transition from being pregnant to dealing with the physical and emotional demands of childbirth and the challenges of motherhood. See all classes
Labor and delivery: what to expect
You'll have a team of labor and delivery staff standing by, ready to guide you through every step. You are about to experience one of life’s true miracles, and we’re happy to be a part of it.
Fetal monitoring
When you are admitted for a scheduled cesarean birth, spontaneous labor, or labor induction, your contractions and your baby’s response to them will be monitored. This helps the staff determine how your baby is responding to labor. Firelands uses a state-of-the-art central monitor system, which enables your nurse and physician to see your baby’s monitor at all times and can alert your healthcare team to certain potential problems.
Pain management options
Because the experience of childbirth is different for every woman, Firelands offers a variety of options for managing pain during childbirth. Laboring mothers are offered a range of options for pain relief.
Firelands Regional Medical Center provides the only in-house 24/7 nurse anesthetist service in the area.
Prior to labor and delivery, some women may intend to deliver “naturally,” while others may prefer medications. It's important to be flexible about your options since each woman’s labor is unique. For some, it’s quick and easy, while for others it’s exhausting with more discomfort. It’s also a good idea to discuss the options with your doctor before delivery.
Coping techniques
Breathing techniques, relaxation, visualization, massage, effleurage (delicate massage), birthing ball, aromatherapy, music therapy, positioning, showers, and encouragement and support from your labor partner are all very useful ways to deal with the discomforts of labor. Even if you plan on taking medications, these techniques will help you cope with the early stages of labor.
For many women, these techniques are all they need for pain management in childbirth.
Medications
A common medication used during childbirth is a narcotic given through an IV. The narcotic will help you relax and rest between the contractions, and will reduce the discomfort of the contractions. It is usually given during the active stage when labor is reaching its peak.
Local anesthesia
This is a series of injections into the perineal area (the skin around the birth canal), which can help numb the area and make you more comfortable during delivery. It is also used if an episiotomy is needed.
Epidural
This type of pain management eliminates the sensation of pain from your uterus down. You should not feel the pain of contractions, but you will continue to feel pressure. Medication is delivered through a tiny catheter (tube) inserted into your lower back by a nurse anesthetist. Epidurals are not appropriate for everyone, so please discuss this option with your physician, childbirth educator or anesthetist.
Please note: We are pleased to provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week anesthesia coverage for our maternity patients.
Cesarean
Usually, regional anesthesia such as a spinal or epidural is given for pain management during the surgery, which allows you to be awake during your baby’s birth. You will not feel pain, but you will feel sensations of pressure. If complications arise and an unplanned cesarean is required immediately, general anesthesia may be given. It is administered through an IV and has the patient breathe anesthetic gases that enable them to “sleep” through the surgery.
After delivery: what to expect
Firelands Center for Women & Newborns: After a short rest following delivery, you and your baby will move to our beautiful postpartum unit for the remainder of your stay.
The Bellevue Hospital Family Birthing Center: You will remain in the same comfortable room for your entire stay.
As supporters of family-centered care, we welcome family and friends to share in this special occasion. One support person is welcome to spend the night in your room using the sleeper couches provided in every suite.
Since your time with us is short, we encourage you to take advantage of our expertise. Our staff is here to support and guide you in caring for both yourself and your new baby, ensuring you feel confident and prepared when it’s time to go home.
Feeding your baby
Firelands Health is proud to support breastfeeding during your stay and after you leave through ongoing support.
Learn more about our breastfeeding support services
Birth certificates
Firelands Center for Women & Newborns: Following your baby’s birth, you’ll receive a registration worksheet for his or her birth certificate. Once completed, a secretary will bring a typed copy of the form to your room to verify the information and obtain your signature.
The Bellevue Hospital Birthing Center: Birth certificates are electronic and available at any county health department within 7 to 10 days after birth.
Paternity
Ohio law specifically states that a child's birth certificate will list the mother's husband as the father unless a court order specifies otherwise.
For unwed parents, a notarized acknowledgment of paternity form can be signed at the hospital at the time of birth. The father must have a current, valid picture ID card with him at the signing. The father's name may not be entered without the written consent of the individual to be named as the father.
Enhanced security
Safety is one of our main concerns. We take every precaution to protect you and your baby at all times. For the baby’s protection and your peace of mind, every nurse wears identification with a photo, so you can easily recognize staff.
You, dad, and your baby will all have identically numbered bracelets secured to you and your baby at birth.
Newborn nursery
To promote mother-infant bonding, we encourage mothers to room-in with their infants.
The nursery offers large viewing windows for siblings/families of babies, bassinets, and state-of-the-art equipment for premature babies or for those needing additional medical attention.
