Pregnancy and Preparation for Childbirth
Your birth plan
Preparation for childbirth should begin during your first visit to your doctor. As your pregnancy progresses, you can develop your "birth plan," an outline of your wishes for your labor and delivery. The birth plan choices include pain management, birthing methods, family involvement, and more. At Wesley, we do our best to follow your plan. We are here to care for you—and our main concern is what is best for you and your baby. Changes from your birth plan may occur if something unexpected happens during the birth process. Your birth plan will not be altered for our convenience.
Special pregnancies
Your doctor may suggest that some additional tests be done on you or your baby during your pregnancy. These are available at Wesley, as well as any follow-up care needed. Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Wesley cares for patients with known or suspected pregnancy problems, either in the mother or the baby. Included are an outpatient clinic and inpatient services, both staffed by a complete team of maternal-fetal specialists. This unique combination of services has led to Wesley’s being recognized as Kansas’ leading institution for perinatal care. Wesley’s Perinatal Testing Center is the largest in Kansas, with extensive experience in ultrasound and fetal heart rate monitoring. Your doctor will talk with you about any possible complications of your pregnancy and recommended care.
Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC)
Women who have had cesarean deliveries are encouraged to talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of a vaginal birth compared to a repeat cesarean. Mothers who have a successful vaginal delivery enjoy a shorter hospital stay and recover faster than mothers who undergo a cesarean delivery. However, a vaginal delivery is not an option for everyone. Some medical conditions make a VBAC too risky. Talk to your physician about the options available in your particular case.
Childbirth and parenting classes
Wesley provides a variety of childbirth and parenting classes. For a list of classes go to Family Life Education.
Choosing your baby’s doctor
Before birth, you should choose a doctor to care for your baby. You may want to get suggestions from your doctor or friends who have children. You can call the Physician Referral Service at (316) 962-7000. Some doctors will meet with you before the baby’s birth. If you feel the doctor is not the right one for you, make arrangements to visit another doctor.
Preadmission form
Please fill out a preadmission form so the admission process will be easier for you and your family. The information requested on the form is important and will help us prepare for your arrival.
Confidential admission
You may choose to be admitted "confidentially." Your complete privacy will be respected and enforced. In order for us to do this, you will not have mail or flowers delivered, and operators will not put calls through to you or give callers your room number. You may still have any visitors you contact directly.
Registering your baby’s birth
Your baby’s birth certificate is an important legal document that will be used by your child throughout his or her life. State law requires that a Certificate of Birth be filed with the Kansas state registrar within five days after birth, so it is helpful if you complete a birth registration form and send it to the Wesley birth registrar before admission. After your baby is born, you will be asked to provide further information, so you might want to decide on a name and spelling before birth.
If you are not married but both you and the father would like to have the father’s name and information added to your baby’s birth certificate, this can be done by signing a paternity form. Both you and the father need to sign the paternity form and have the signatures notarized. Arrangements for notarization can be made through Wesley’s birth registrar. For more information, call the Wesley birth registrar at (316) 962-2326.
After your baby’s birth certificate has been completed, the hospital will send it to the state registrar’s office, where the birth will be legally registered. While you are in the hospital, we will explain how you can obtain a copy of this certificate from the state registrar. If changes or corrections need to be made after the state registrar has processed the certificate, there may be a fee. Later changes may require a court order.
While in the hospital, you may also begin the process of obtaining a Social Security number for your child through the state offices of Vital Records and Social Security. You should receive a Social Security card for your baby approximately 12 to 13 weeks after filing.
