Resources for Moms and Moms-To-BeResources for Moms and Moms-To-Be Below are several educational and informational resources that moms and moms-to-be may find helpful:
- MotherToBaby Texas TIPS: A free, confidential service providing information about exposures related to pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Texas Health Steps: Provides free medical and dental checkups, as well as case management services for children and young adults. Texas Health Steps ensures necessary care to support your child’s growth and development if a health issue is detected during a checkup.
- March of Dimes: Offers valuable resources for parents-to-be, including videos, learning tools, and supportive content for parents of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit.
- Childbirth Connection: A trusted source for evidence-based information on pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum care. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective, and satisfying maternity care for all families.
Making choices about your health can be overwhelming, especially with a new baby on the way. To support birthing families, we have created a resource titled "Questions to Ask Your Provider During the Birthing Process.”
This resource was made to help you feel more informed and confident when talking to your provider during pregnancy, birth, and after the baby is born. Whether you're having your first baby or not, the questions will help you express your needs, understand your options, and ensure you receive the right care for you and your baby.
Our goal is to give you a helpful guide for talking with your healthcare providers to make your birthing journey positive and supportive.
- What are the potential direct and indirect effects, risks, and hazards to me and my child because of the drug or specific procedure you’re administering?
- What are the benefits, risks, and alternatives to treatment?
- What are the risks and benefits of breastfeeding?
- If breastfeeding is not recommended for me, can you tell me why?
- What options do I have for my birthing procedure?
- What are the pros and cons of each of them?
- How many people can come with me for labor support?
- Am I free to walk around the floor while in labor ?
- Are there any reasons that you would recommend that I be separated from my baby?
- What pain management options do you offer?
- Will I be able to use nitrous oxide for pain management?
- If I have questions about my pregnancy or health, how can I contact you, and how quickly should I expect a reply?
- What are my options for an out-of-hospital birth?
- Would you partner with a homebirth midwife?
- Do you accept homebirth transfers?
- What is covered by my insurance?
- Are there any routine visits you are no longer doing?
- Are you providing or conducting any visits by video?
- Can my support person come with me to my prenatal visits?
- If not, can they join by phone or video during the visit?
- What will change for me once I am admitted?
- What will happen if I delay getting admitted?
- Have your c-section and induction rates changed since the COVID-19 pandemic?
- Can I eat or drink during labor?
- What kind of foods, exercises, and supplements can help improve my chances of having a healthy delivery?
- Will any of my current health conditions and/or medications affect my pregnancy?
- What resources do you offer after delivery if I experience postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety?
- What resources like birthing, meditation, and parenting classes can you provide for my pregnancy?
- What risks do I need to look out for during my pregnancy?
- What kind of visits are covered by my insurance? If visits are not entirely covered, what is my co-pay or total cost of each visit?
Click to download the Questions to Ask Your Provider checklistCreating a birth plan is an important step in preparing for your baby's arrival. It helps you communicate your preferences and expectations for labor and delivery to your healthcare team, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
While it's important to remain flexible, as births can be unpredictable, having a birth plan provides a clear outline of your wishes and helps guide conversations with your provider. This tool supports you in advocating for yourself and your baby, aiming for a positive and well-supported birth experience. With "A Guide to Creating Your Best Birth Plan," we encourage you to use your plan to outline your desires and work collaboratively with your care team to ensure a safe and fulfilling birthing process.
A Guide to Creating Your Best Birth Plan
- Key Considerations for Your Birth Plan
Start by learning the routine policies of your birth setting and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Use this information to shape your birth plan, including sections for uncomplicated birth, postpartum care, and potential complications. Consider questions like:
- Who do you want present during the birth?
- Do you want a doula or other children/siblings present?
- What are your pain management, fetal monitoring, and hydration preferences?
- What are your preferences for your baby’s care and immediate postpartum period?
- Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Review your birth plan with your provider, using positive terms like “birth preferences.” Familiarize yourself with the labor and delivery environment to feel more prepared.
- Maintain Confidence and Control
Your birth plan can help you stay focused and calm. Prepare for unexpected changes by planning for different scenarios, such as a cesarean.
- Focus on Positivity
Design your birth plan with a positive outlook. Focus on what you want and use phrases like “we hope to” rather than “we don’t want.” This helps set a supportive tone for your birth experience.
Click to download the complete Guide to Creating Your Best Birth PlanChoosing the right birth team is one of the first and most important decisions in your pregnancy journey. Your team will set the tone for your care, guide you through each step, and support you in welcoming your baby into the world.
Start by exploring the types of providers available to you—midwives, family physicians, obstetricians, or maternal-fetal medicine specialists—each with their own expertise. Finding someone you trust who understands your needs and respects your preferences is essential. Your birth team might include a mix of these professionals and support like doulas or care coordinators.
Think about what matters most to you, whether it’s convenient appointment times, shared cultural background, or a supportive practice environment. Involve your partner or loved ones in the decision-making process and ask questions to ensure your provider aligns with your values and goals.
Remember, it’s YOUR pregnancy, and you deserve care that feels right. If your needs or preferences change, don’t hesitate to revisit your choices and find a team that makes you feel confident and supported.
MIDWIFE
- Training Focus: Wellness-centered care, specializing in vaginal birth.
FAMILY PHYSICIAN
- Training Focus: Broad medical care for the whole family; not all offer obstetric services.
OBSTETRICIAN/GYNECOLOGIST
- Training Focus: Comprehensive care for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and gynecological health.
MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE DOCTOR (PERINATOLOGIST)
- Training Focus: High-risk or complicated pregnancies.
DOULA
- Training Focus: Emotional and physical support during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum.
Click to download the full guide to Types of Providers
Click to download Your Guide to Making Pregnancy and Birth Decisions
Traveling with baby formula, breast milk, and baby food can be straightforward if you know what to expect at security. Here are some helpful tips to ensure a smooth screening process for you and your baby’s essentials.
- Carry-On Bags: You can bring formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food in quantities over 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on. These are considered medically necessary liquids and don't need to fit within the quart-sized bag limit. This includes cooling accessories like ice packs and gel packs. Your child doesn't need to be with you to bring these items.
- Checked Bags: You can also pack formula, breast milk, toddler drinks, and baby food in your checked luggage.
- At Security: Inform the TSA officer at the start of the screening process that you carry more than 3.4 ounces of these items. Remove them from your bag for separate and additional screenings.
- For Faster Screening: Use clear, translucent formula and breast milk bottles instead of plastic bags or pouches. While your milk may undergo additional screenings, TSA should never open, test, or pour out any of the milk provided.
- X-Rays: Let the TSA officer know if you prefer your formula or milk not to be X-rayed. Alternative screening methods will be used, which may involve extra procedures.
- Cooling Accessories: Ice packs, freezer packs, and gel packs are allowed to keep formula or milk cool. If they're partially frozen or slushy, they'll go through the same screening process.
- Be Prepared: Before you travel, take screenshots of the TSA Policy and Procedures on traveling with milk. Having these ready to go allows you to be informed of your rights while traveling.
Visit the TSA website for more information.
As you prepare for your baby, knowing the key terms related to birth and labor can make a big difference. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help you feel more confident and prepared when it comes time for labor and delivery.
This section breaks down essential terms and definitions to help you navigate your birth experience more easily. Whether you’re discussing your birth plan with your provider or making informed decisions during labor, this guide will help you understand the language used in the birthing process. Let’s dive into these important terms to ensure you’re well-prepared for every step of your journey.
Birth and Labor Terms and Definitions
- Abruptio Placenta (Placental Abruption): The placenta starts to separate from the uterine wall before the baby is born.
- Amniotic Fluid: The protective liquid surrounding the fetus, mostly made up of fetal urine and water.
- APGAR: A quick test to check how well the baby is doing right after birth. It measures five things: Appearance (color), Pulse (heartbeat), Grimace (reflexes), Activity (muscle tone), and Respiration (breathing). Scores are given at 1 and 5 minutes after birth, ranging from 1 to 10.
- Birthing Person: The individual who is giving birth. This term includes anyone who is pregnant and delivering a baby, regardless of gender.
- Breech Presentation: When the baby is positioned with its head up so that it will be born feet or buttocks first.
- Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD): When the baby is too large to fit through the mother's pelvis.
- Cervidil: A medication used to help the cervix soften and open before labor starts.
- Cesarean: A surgical procedure where the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdominal and uterine walls. It's also called a C-section or abdominal delivery.
- Colostrum: The thin, white fluid produced by the breasts in the last weeks of pregnancy before milk comes in.
- Complete Breech: When the baby's buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are bent up, making vaginal delivery difficult.
- Contraction: The tightening of the uterus that helps push the baby down the birth canal.
- Crowned/Crowning: When the baby’s head has come through the birth canal and is visible at the vaginal opening.
- Dilation: The process of the cervix opening up in preparation for childbirth, measured in centimeters. Full dilation is 10 centimeters.
- Effacement: The thinning of the cervix before birth, measured in percentages. 100% effaced means the cervix is fully thinned.
- Engaged: When the baby’s head (or presenting part) settles into the pelvic cavity, usually in the last month of pregnancy.
- Epidural: A common form of anesthesia during labor, inserted through a catheter into the space near the spinal cord.
- Episiotomy: An incision made in the perineum to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
- Fetal Distress: When the baby is not getting enough oxygen or is experiencing other problems.
- Fontanelle: The soft spots on a baby’s skull that allow for some flexibility as the baby passes through the birth canal.
- Forceps: A tong-shaped instrument used to help guide the baby’s head out during delivery.
- Frank Breech: When the baby’s buttocks are presenting at the cervix, and its legs are extended straight up towards its head.
- Incontinence: The inability to control urination, which can happen when the baby puts pressure on the bladder.
- Induced Labor: When labor is started or sped up using methods like prostaglandin gel, an IV of oxytocin (Pitocin), or breaking the water bag.
- Jaundice: A condition where the baby’s skin turns yellow due to the liver not yet processing red blood cells efficiently.
- Labor: The regular contractions of the uterus that help open the cervix and prepare for childbirth.
- Lightening: When the baby drops lower into the pelvis in preparation for delivery.
- Meconium: A greenish substance found in the baby’s bowels, usually passed after birth.
- Neonatologist: A doctor who specializes in the care of newborns.
- NICU: Stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where critically ill or premature newborns are cared for.
- Nubain: A synthetic narcotic pain reliever used during labor.
- Oxytocin: A hormone that helps start contractions and the milk-eject reflex. Pitocin is the synthetic form used in labor.
- Perineum: The area of muscle and tissue between the vagina and the rectum.
- Phenergan: A sedative that also helps control nausea and vomiting.
- Placenta: The organ that connects the mother and baby, providing nourishment and removing waste.
- Placenta Previa: When the placenta covers part or all of the cervix.
- Posterior: When the baby is facing up during delivery. The normal position is face-down (anterior).
- Postpartum: The period following childbirth.
- Post-Term: When pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks.
- Preterm: Babies born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
- Prostaglandin Cream: Medication used to help soften and open the cervix before labor starts.
- Provider: A healthcare professional who provides care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. This can include obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners, or family doctors.
- Ruptured Membranes: When the fluid-filled sac around the baby breaks, which can cause a gush or a slow fluid leak.
- Speculum: An instrument used to widen the vagina slightly so the cervix can be seen more clearly.
- Timing Contractions: Measuring the time between the start of one contraction and the start of the next.
- Transverse: When the baby is lying sideways in the uterus. If the position cannot be corrected, a cesarean will be needed.
- Umbilical Cord: The cord that carries blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the placenta to the baby.
- Vacuum Extractor: A device that attaches to the baby’s head to help guide it out of the birth canal during delivery.
Click to download the Birth Terms and Definitions List