Birth of Your Baby

St. Francis Women’s Hospital knows you have a choice when you give birth to your baby. Let us help you prepare for your special delivery. We offer several childbirth classes to meet your educational needs. These include: breastfeeding, sibling, a 6-week childbirth series, a one-day childbirth refresher, and an online childbirth course. Both the 6-week series and the refresher class will cover preparations for both vaginal and cesarean births. Please see the childbirth registration tab for more information about each class.

• If a vaginal birth is planned:
  • Be sure to take the childbirth preparation series or refresher class
  • Preregister online or at the hospital
  • Schedule a tour of our unit
  • Pack a bag for mom, dad, and baby
  • Remove jewelry and leave it at home before coming to the hospital
• If a cesarean birth is planned:
  • Be sure to take the childbirth preparation series or refresher class
  • Preregister online or at the hospital
  • Keep your scheduled pre-OP appointment ( the day before your scheduled surgery)
• We will draw blood and collect urine at the hospital
• Secure your blood band bracelet on your wrist (don’t remove until you are discharged home after delivery)
• Give you a special wipe to clean the surgical site before you come to have your surgery
• Your physician will give you a pre-op checklist. Please follow these directions:
  • Remove jewelry and leave it at home
  • Don’t eat or drink after midnight before your surgery
  • Arrive at least two hours before surgery (your physician's office will schedule surgery time)
  • One support person can be with you during the cesarean birth.

Thank you for choosing St. Francis Women’s Hospital for the birth of your baby. We look forward to you and your family being our guests. Please don’t hesitate to call your provider or us if you have any questions. We look forward to meeting you and celebrating the birth of your baby.