Ready for labor?

You're expecting your first baby. Congratulations! You've probably heard plenty of stories about labor and delivery, some encouraging and others intimidating. While it’s natural to plan and prepare, childbirth doesn’t always follow a script.

"One of the most important things any expectant parent can prepare for mentally is that you don't have very much control," said Jade Pizarro, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist with Women's Care Florida who delivers at Baptist Medical Center Clay. "You can do all the preparation and make all the plans, but ultimately your birth experience may not go exactly as expected. In the end, our goal is to make sure both mom and baby are safe."

4 ways to prepare yourself for labor

Here are four things Dr. Pizarro wants soon-to-be parents to know before experiencing childbirth.

1. Prepare for the unexpected.

"Prepare to be unprepared," Dr. Pizarro said. "Sometimes the baby takes the lead, sometimes the mother does." While having preferences and a birth plan can be helpful, flexibility is essential because labor and delivery can change quickly.

2. Keep an open mind.

Rather than viewing a birth plan as a rigid set of instructions, Dr. Pizarro encouraged patients to focus on what matters most to them while remaining flexible.

"I prefer to call them 'birth preferences,'" she said. "Write down what's important to you and talk through those preferences with your care provider." Understanding the reasons behind different recommendations can help parents make informed decisions and adjust when circumstances change.

She also reminds patients that it's OK if preferences change during labor.

"You are allowed to change your mind, especially when you're experiencing something you've never been through before," she said.

3. Know what to expect.

Learning about labor ahead of time can help reduce anxiety and build confidence. Childbirth classes can provide practical guidance on the stages of labor, comfort techniques, pain-management options and ways a support person can help.

Dr. Pizarro also recommended talking with people you trust who have experienced childbirth and seeking information from reliable sources rather than relying solely on online stories. "A lot of times on the internet, people share the disasters and not the many routine births that go smoothly," she said.

When it comes to labor pain management, parents should understand that there are a variety of options available, ranging from unmedicated childbirth techniques and breathing methods to IV medications and epidurals. Each approach has benefits and considerations that should be discussed with a provider before labor begins.

4. Get the facts.

Talk to your physician or midwife and ask questions. Nothing is too small when you're preparing for labor and delivery.

Dr. Pizarro encouraged expectant parents to gather information from trusted health care professionals and people in their own circles.

"Talk to real people in your life about what happened, what they liked, what they didn't like and what they wish had gone differently," she said. "Get a wide variety of experiences so you understand what is possible."

Above all, she encouraged parents to stay present and embrace the journey.

"Childbirth is one of the biggest things you'll ever do in your life," Dr. Pizarro said. "Try not to just get through it. Really enjoy each step along the way because there's always a next step."