Where Will You Give Birth?
Right now in most places, COVID-19 is kind of a nursing question for you if you’re planning a hospital birth. Wesley Medical Center/Birthcare Suites allows you to have a support person, usually your spouse/partner, and your doula. Via Christi has only allowed spouses/partners for the past few months and is only now allowing doulas again. Children are definitely not allowed due to coronavirus concerns – so until this is resolved or restrictions are eased, having your children is only an option if you choose a midwife-attended home birth or a freestanding birth center.
How to Prepare Your Child to Witness Your Birth
1. If you plan to bring your older child or children with you during the birth, start cultivating a habit of a normal birth environment from the beginning of your pregnancy. Answer all your child’s questions honestly about your body, the baby, how babies are made, how babies are born. Let them see the ultrasound and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Talk about how birth is a normal part of life, and it’s very hard work for you to do, but it’s just the way babies are born.
2. Explain that you may make loud noises, and you may throw up, and there may be some blood, but those are normal parts of the process and they don’t need to be afraid of those things. Remind them that the doctor or midwife will take care of you to make sure you are safe, no matter how painful or difficult it is.
3. Have someone assigned the job of taking care of your child, not just for feeding and bathing but also for emotional support. This must be someone other than your spouse/partner. It could be your doula sister, your mom, your friend, your nanny, etc. They should be a calm and approachable person who has at least some basic birth knowledge and can explain things at an age-appropriate level, as well as help. gauge if your child is struggling and needs to go to the other room or outside for a while.
4. Read books and watch videos about normal childbirth. Here are some child-friendly birth videos to help your child prepare to see you give birth.
