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Labor and delivery for first-time moms
Are you getting ready for labor and delivery as a first-time mom or have questions as you prepare for your second or third baby? As an expecting mom, you may have a lot of questions about what happens from the minute you experience contractions to the moment you hold your little one in your arms. Hilary Simpson, RNC-OB, Labor and Delivery nurse at The Family Birth Center at Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center, shares her insight to help ease some of your worries and prepare you for what to expect during your labor and delivery process.
— Hilary Simpson, RNC-OB,
Labor and Delivery nurse
When you’re expecting a baby, one of the most important steps in the process is choosing the hospital where you will deliver. Sierra Medical Center is here to help you welcome the newest member of your family in a comfortable and caring environment.
We offer labor and delivery services that are designed to meet your specific needs and cater to your preferences for childbirth. We have options to support you before, during and after your baby is born.
What should my partner and I do to prepare for labor and delivery?
One of the most important things that you can do to prepare for your delivery is to communicate what your expectations, hopes and fears are to your healthcare team. Your healthcare team can answer any questions you have to help reassure and support you during the labor process.
It is also incredibly important to share your hopes, expectations and fears with your support person. They are an integral part of your team and there to support you, ask questions, and advocate for you and baby. This will help ensure that your wishes are being communicated to your healthcare team through your support person, if you cannot communicate at any point.
Prenatal Classes and More!
Welcoming a new little one? Sign up for one of our prenatal education classes! Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center welcomes expecting families to our prenatal education classes. All classes are free to attend.
Everyone experiences labor differently and there are unique guidelines to follow based on how far along you are in your pregnancy. If you think you are having signs of labor before 37 weeks, call your doctor or visit the hospital. If you have reached 37 weeks, you should be watching for contractions to get longer, stronger and closer together, typically about five minutes apart, before contacting your doctor or heading to the hospital.
While most people experience contractions before they go into labor, some contractions may not result in cervical change and do not increase the dilation of the cervix. These could be Braxton Hicks or early labor.
Labor contractions will take your breath away and most people find they cannot talk through them. If you think your contractions are getting longer, stronger and closer together, call your doctor or come to the hospital to get checked out.
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Labor and delivery is different for every person. Some women may come in concerned about labor pain, potential difficulties with delivery or anticipating a vaginal delivery that changes to a C-section.
Labor can be overwhelming for some, but it is important to know that you have the power to make your experience your own. Moms are encouraged to ask their healthcare team to explain everything they do before or as they are doing it to ensure clear communication.
For example, if you are concerned about labor pain, have a clear understanding before birth to set expectations. Pain is a natural part of labor, and it serves as a signal that your body is preparing for the labor process. However, there are things you can do before you reach the hospital.
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How do I know when it is time to
head to the hospital?
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After you recover for a couple of hours and move to a post-partum room, you will meet with various staff members to ensure you and your baby are healthy. While all our nurses are trained in lactation, you may also meet with a lactation specialist who will educate you about breastfeeding. The time after birth is a special time to meet and bond with your baby.
We encourage spending time skin to skin with baby, resting, recovering and getting to know your baby. You will meet with pediatric hospitalists (specialists who are taking care of your baby), your obstetrician, and lab techs who will run tests to ensure you and your little one are healthy.
While a vaginal birth may warrant a day or two in the hospital, you can expect a three- to four-day stay in the hospital if you have a C-section. If you have a C-section, you might need a little more help with lifting heavy items and performing some daily tasks, like cleaning.
What happens after I deliver?
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Level II NICU for Infants with Special Needs
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center’s 12-bed, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is ready to provide care to infants born at 32 weeks’ gestation or later who have needs or conditions that require specialized medical attention.
Our staff includes:
Our team will coordinate any necessary consultations with other specialists and communicate with local pediatricians prior to discharge. The unit is equipped with advanced medical technology, with direct access to the NICU from the labor rooms and operating rooms.
While the first weeks with your newborn can be a joyful time, it can also be emotionally taxing as you adjust to a new chapter of your life. It is important to be honest with yourself, your partner and your doctor if you are struggling.
The most common thing new moms struggle with during the first couple of weeks is their sleeping schedule. Learning to let people help you find a new balance in your life is important, as you do not have to do this all by yourself. So, sleep when baby sleeps and make sure to find the time to take care of yourself.
If you are struggling with breastfeeding, notice signs of depression or anxiety that is not resolving after a couple of days, or are concerned about abnormal bleeding in the weeks following birth, you should contact your doctor.
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Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing
Helen Lidholm
Chief Executive Officer, Northern Nevada Medical Center
Chris Loftus
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
©2023. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2345 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
6500 Longley Ln
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing
Helen Lidholm
Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Chris Loftus
Interim Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
©2023. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2345 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Northern Nevada Sierra Medical Center
6500 Longley Ln
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
Fall/Winter 2023
LivIng Well
Jamii Uboldi
System Director, Marketing
Helen Lidholm
Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Medical Center
Chris Loftus
Interim Chief Executive Officer,
Northern Nevada Sierra
Medical Center
Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. Models may be used in photos or illustrations. Any opinions expressed by an author whose article appears in this publication are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Northern Nevada Health System. Physicians mentioned in this publication are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Northern Nevada Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
©2023. All rights reserved.
Northern Nevada Medical Center
2345 E. Prater Way
Sparks, NV 89434
775-331-7000
Northern Nevada Sierra
Medical Center
6500 Longley Ln
Reno, NV 89511
775-799-7320
A Life Saved
On a Sunday in April, Valerian D’Souza’s day took an unexpected, life-threatening turn.
Read more about this life saved
Read more about labor and delivery
Ask The Provider
Are you getting ready for labor and delivery as a first-time mom or have questions as you prepare for your baby?
Read the remarks from Leadership
Letter From Leadership
We are proud to provide compassionate, quality care for all residents in the Reno-Sparks community.
Read more about FEDs
What is an FED?
Learn when to use a freestanding emergency department vs
urgent care.
Read more about FEDs
What is an FED?
Learn when to use a freestanding emergency department vs
urgent care.
Read the remarks from Leadership
Letter From Leadership
We are proud to provide compassionate, quality care for all residents in the Reno-Sparks community.
Read more about labor and delivery
Ask The Provider
Are you getting ready for labor and delivery as a first-time mom or have questions as you prepare for your baby?
Read more about this life saved
A Life Saved
On a Sunday in April, Valerian D’Souza’s day took an unexpected, life-threatening turn.
Fall/Winter 2023
LivIng Well