Preparing for Delivery: Having a plan, but keeping it flexible

04/05/22 • 33 min

Your trip to the hospital, like a trip to go camping, will benefit from advanced planning. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist, joins Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to help you think of everything you’ll need, before you need it, including: * A birth plan * A “go bag” * How you want doctors to help control your pain * Who you want in the room (obstetrician, doula, midwife) * Delayed cord clamping * Pre-planned C section, if you want it

Previous Episode

Planning and Nesting: What do you actually need?

The pop-up ads will start soon after the positive pregnancy test. You must have this safety feature! Your baby cannot survive without that gadget! Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., sort out what you actually need from what you don’t, what to look for — and look out for — and why it matters. Topics include a wide variety of products, including: * Pacifiers * Sleep sacks * Exercise balls * Cribs * Car seats * Baby monitors * Strollers

Next Episode

Delivery: the real-deal and stuff no one tells you about

Learn why Rachel’s delivery room scene on “Friends” qualifies as “the most unrealistic birth ever.” Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist joins co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to guide you through the reality of labor (vaginal or C section), including: * Why you should expect to get an IV * Why your birth team may include up to 10 people in scrubs * Whether it’s okay to eat and drink during labor * Why things get messy (vomiting, pooping) and that’s actually fine * How you can prepare for effective pushing * What to do to prevent vaginal tearing