A birth plan is a document that tells your health care provider what's important to you during labor and delivery. It is important to keep your plan flexible. You may have to adjust it if things change during delivery. Here are a few birth plan resources:
Each labor and delivery is unique. Your health care provider considers you and your baby’s safety first. Talking to your health care provider, ob-gyn, or midwife throughout your pregnancy helps you develop trust and understanding. You will feel like an active partner in your baby's birth, even if something unexpected happens.
Your physical and emotional health continues to change as pregnancy progresses. These and other symptoms can appear during the second trimester: 1
It’s important to be aware of your overall health throughout pregnancy. Here are some serious symptoms to be on the lookout for during the second trimester:
A Lamaze class is one of the many childbirth classes you can take during your pregnancy. Lamaze classes focus on coping strategies, breathing techniques, and other ways to keep yourself comfortable while giving birth. Most women take this class during their third trimester. It is a good idea to start thinking about it in your second trimester. You can research classes at UPMC and find the one that is right for you.
It’s all about preference. There are classes about caring for your baby, yoga classes to keep your mind and body at peace throughout pregnancy, classes to prepare you for childbirth, and more. Your health care provider, ob-gyn, or midwife should be able to give you information about classes that fit your needs.
Some health plans may require you to pay for these classes, then reimburse you for them. Our maternity care managers can discuss which classes are available for reimbursement and help you submit the proper form.
Prenatal visits during the second trimester will be similar to first-trimester visits, but you will have them more often—every four weeks2. Your doctor may see you more often than that if you have a health problem or high-risk pregnancy.
During these visits, your health care provider will: