Hospital Birth Myths Debunked

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Sometimes parents believe that they will need to go to the hospital with gloves on, ready to fight for their ideal hospital birth. As your doula, Amanda will support all of your birth choices whether you give birth at home, a birth center, or a hospital.

Hospital Birth in Chattanooga

If you are considering giving birth at one of the two Erlanger hospital locations, you are in good hands. They are one of the first Baby-Friendly accredited hospitals in Tennessee. Erlanger Women’s East has been voted Chattanooga’s #1 place to have a baby for 8 years in a row. Erlanger Baroness Hospital downtown has the highest level of neonatal intensive care in the region.

But if you find yourself worrying about your upcoming hospital birth, here are four hospital myths debunked:

1. Hospital births are cold and clinical

There are lots of ways to make your room more comfortable. Bring your own clothing to wear during labor. Consider a robe or a dress tailored for labor like this. Bring your own blanket. Prepare a playlist for the day. Or place LED candles around the room.

2. Hospital staff won’t respect my birth wishes

Birth plans can be extensive, so let’s break it down into smaller parts, and see what a labor/delivery nurse at Erlanger had to say:

I won’t be able to eat or drink

The hospital has no policy on eating/drinking during labor if you are laboring without an epidural. Your labor nurse will refer to your doctor or midwife. And there are certainly care providers in the area who will encourage you to eat or drink during labor.

I will have to get an IV

Again, your labor nurse will refer to your doctor or midwife on this one. You can labor with a saline-lock instead of an IV as long as your care provider gives approval.

I will have to stay in bed

It is hospital policy to monitor a baby’s heart rate and contractions (NST) for 20 minutes out of every hour for a woman laboring without an epidural. But even on the monitor, your doula can help hold the monitor in place if need be so that you can move around near the bed. When not on the monitor, do what works for you: sway, walk, shower, spend time on the toilet, hands and knees, lay on your side. The hospital also has labor balls and peanut balls available. 

3. Breastfeeding will be harder to facilitate

Erlanger in downtown Chattanooga is one of the first accredited Baby-Friendly hospitals in Tennessee. Therefore, many policies are in place to help you with breastfeeding. Amanda will be by your side to immediately help with breastfeeding . A certified lactation consultant is at the hospital to help you. You will not be given any formula samples. Finally, there are breastfeeding support groups that meet at the hospital for after you come home.

4. My baby will be taken away

Because of the Baby-Friendly accreditation, your healthy baby will stay in your room throughout your stay. If you ask, often newborn procedures can be done in your room or even while you are holding your baby.

Care Provider Dependent

The labor/delivery nurse from Erlanger repeated “care provider dependent” often. Generally speaking, your nurse is on your side and will try to be as accommodating as possible, but they will be bound by your doctor or midwife’s orders. Talk often with your care provider during pregnancy about your birth wishes. Find someone who you feel confident will help you achieve the hospital birth you hope for. And hire a doula to hep guide you every step of the way.