Preparing for childbirth

Planning Ahead Checklist

Preparing for childbirth

Tour the Family Birth Place

In-person tours are suspended due to COVID. We encourage you to watch a virtual video tour as an alternative.

Preregister

Fill out your preregistration form, available at your doctor’s office or at Englewood Health by calling Labor and Delivery Admissions at 201-894-3000, ext. 4115 or Admitting at 201-894-3015.

Sign Up for Classes

When you’re in your third trimester, we encourage you to join us for childbirth education classes, which include an introduction to the labor process, relaxation and breathing techniques, tour of the Family Birth Place, baby care basics, and group consult by an Englewood Hospital pediatrician.

Watch Videos on the Newborn Channel

Expectant parents can prepare in advance by watching videos from the Newborn Channel, a comprehensive online library. You’ll need a passcode, which you can request here.

Choose a Pediatrician

To find a pediatrician, search online or call 833-234-2234.

Check Out Integrative Medicine Services

The Graf Center for Integrative Medicine at Englewood Health offers unique services for expectant mothers, including prenatal massage therapy, yoga classes, and holistic nutritional counseling.

Come In for Blood Work (for scheduled C sections)

Two days prior to your scheduled C-section, please come to the hospital for blood work. No appointment is needed, but you will need an order from your obstetrician. The outpatient lab is open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Install a Car Seat

Bucket Car Safety Seat

Install the base of the bucket car safety seat three weeks prior to your due date to be sure you are prepared for the day you are discharged. On the day of discharge, bring only the bucket infant carrier into the hospital. Do not remove the base from the car.

“Go As You Grow” Car Safety Seat

At least three weeks prior to your due date, install the car safety seat. Once installed, do not remove it from your vehicle. It is not necessary to bring your “go as you grow” car safety seat to the hospital. If you are having difficulty, you may have it installed and/or checked by a certified child passenger tech (available by appointment through your local police station) or visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

Read your car seat manual to ensure proper usage. Any infant car seat should be fully functional and have all original parts. Car seats should be six years old or
less from the date manufactured.

Learn more about car seat safety

Prepare Your Go-Bag

We recommend packing your “go-bag” three weeks ahead of your due date or when your nesting instinct begins to set in. You may want to keep the bag in your car. However, if you have items that are sensitive to hot or cold temperatures (e.g., cord blood collection kit), you will want to keep the bag inside near your door.

Your Go-Bag Checklist

  • Comfort tools for labor (your favorite pillow, massage oils, music playlist, etc.)
  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
  • Cell phones with chargers
  • Comfortable going-home outfits for mom and partner
  • Going-home outfit for baby that is weather appropriate
  • Car seat (already installed in car) with instruction booklet

Your Purse Checklist

  • Driver’s license or identification card
  • Insurance card

What We Provide

  • Patient gowns
  • Sanitary pads
  • Postpartum underwear
  • Towels and washcloths
  • Breast pump
  • Formula, if formula feeding
  • Diapers
  • Diaper rash ointment
  • Blanket and newborn hat
  • Baby thermometer
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