Research Checklist Ideas for Pregnancy/Birth/Postpartum

Looking for ideas on things to know about pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period but don’t really know where to start? Here is a thorough research checklist to give you a starting point for the things you should start researching!

Pregnancy

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• Teratogens

• Going the full 40 weeks

• Pregnancy Nutrition/Diet

• Supplements in/for Pregnancy

• Fetoscope/Doppler/Ultrasound

• Childbirth Education Classes

• Safe Exercise in Pregnancy

• Pelvic floor awareness and strengthening

• Alternative Medicine/Care Options (Chiropractic, Massage, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Naturopathic, Midwifery, Doulas, etc.)

• Optimal Fetal Positioning - Spinning Babies

• Rhogam Shot (if you have a Negative (-) blood type)

• Gestational Diabetes and Screening Options

• Group B Strep

• Fetal kick counts

• Membrane Sweeps/Stripping

• What Happens if You Go Past your 'Due Date'- It's really not an expiration date!

For Labor/Birth

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• Signs of labor, stages of labor

• Induction methods (Pitocin, Cytotec, foley catheter, other medications, etc.)

• Epidurals

• Natural Labor Pain Relief/Comfort Measures

• Vaginal Exams/Cervical Checks

• Labor Positions

• Fetal Monitoring methods

• What to Eat and Drink

• Waterbirth

• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

• Preventing Perineal Tears

• Pushing Positions

• Medications and Alternatives to prevent and stop postpartum hemorrhage

• Third Stage Management (Birthing the placenta)

• Neonatal Resuscitation

• Delayed Cord Clamping

• Immediate Skin-to-Skin and intitial bonding and attachment

For Postpartum

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• Newborn Vitamin K Shot

• Newborn Erythromycin Eye Ointment

• Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccine

• Placenta Services Options

• Cloth Diapers/Disposable Diapers

• Sleeping Options (rooming in, co-sleeping in bed, co-sleeper, sidecar, crib, etc)

• Breastfeeding vs. Formula Feeding

• Local Breastfeeding Support

• Breastfeeding Nutrition/Diet

• Postpartum Depression

• Circumcision

• Newborn Screening Tests (Metabolic Screening, Hearing Test, CCHD Screening)

• Baby Wearing

• Car Seat Safety

And HEY, let me know if you think I should add anything else to the list!