Open Accessibility Menu
Hide

Home & Personal Readiness

Whether you're a first time or experienced parent, a few tips for getting ready for your bundle of joy can't hurt. Here are a few pointers that can make your experience smoother. First and foremost, take care of yourself and your baby during pregnancy by keeping appointments with your OB/GYN provider, eating well, and avoiding certain activities.

Marshall has several classes about preparing for childbirth and parenting. For more information or to register for classes, click here or call 530-626-2990.

Educate Yourself with Books and Articles

There are many excellent books to consider to help you prepare for your birthing experience. We recommend:

  • What to Expect When You’re Expecting, by Eisenberg, et al
  • The Nursing Mother’s Companion, by K. Higgins

Prepare for Breastfeeding

If you plan to breastfeed your baby there are several things you can do to prepare for the best experience possible.

For questions or concerns about breastfeeding please call Marshall's Breastfeeding Support Services at 530-626-2835. If you have flat or inverted nipples, it is a good idea to contact Breastfeeding Support Services before your delivery.

We encourage you to ask questions. Talk to family members or friends who have breastfed, childbirth class teachers, lactation consultants, nurses and doctors. Talk to other mothers who have breastfed their babies successfully and they can help you understand what to expect.

Rest assured, when you're here with us, our experienced lactation consultants will help you every step of the way. We're proud to support Baby Friendly Hospital practices and have one of the best breastfeeding initiation and success rates in the state.

Logistics and Supplies

2 Months Before Due Date

  • Prepare your nursery with furniture, clothing, etc. - wash baby clothes so you don't have to later - you won't have time.
  • Plan your transportation to and from the hospital.
  • Purchase a car seat and learn how it works - you can't leave the hospital without one.
  • If you plan to breastfeed, you probably will want a breast pump. Now's the time to buy one and learn how it works.

1 Month Before Due Date

  • Install car seat in your vehicle. Many fire stations will do this for you to ensure proper installation.

Pack Your Bag for the Hospital

  • Clothing, including nightgowns, robe, slippers, nursing bras with good support, socks and underwear (for breastfeeding, plan on front closure clothing options)
  • Special toiletry items - we provide the basics, but if you want anything of your own, you may bring it
  • Eyewear and supplies - if you wear contacts, you may want to bring your glasses too
  • Hair accessories
  • A couple of personal items are okay - your own pillow or book
  • Maternity clothes for the trip home and comfortable shoes

Pack Your Baby's Bag

  • Prewashed clothing for going home
  • Bootie socks for hands and feet
  • Car window shade to block sun

Pack Support Person's Bag

  • Change of comfortable clothing
  • Toiletry items
  • Phone or watch with a second hand - for timing contractions
  • Tennis balls for back massage
  • Box for bringing home flowers and gifts received
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Cash/change for vending and food
  • Contact list for news sharing
  • Magazines, books or other reading materials
  • Hard candy to give mom during labor

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Marshall at 530-626-2638.

Related Reviews
  • My husband and I had a FANTASTIC experience at Marshall Birth Center. First, we decided to take a tour of the facility before our baby was born - when you go in, you’re greeted by a friendly admin staff. The center has spacious, private rooms with a pull out bed for your significant other to sleep in, a huge jetted tub to relax in (as much as you can) during labor, access to some basic food items (my hubby appreciated this), birthing and peanut balls to help assist with labor, and most importantly, the BEST nursing staff ever. We had to come in several times before the birth of our baby to do some NSTs to make sure our babe was doing ok, so we had the chance to meet a lot of staff and see a lot of the different things they do for a mom when she comes to the hospital. Melissa and Haley were the NST nurses we saw, and they were friendly and eased our concerns when we didn’t know what was going on. When it came time for the big event to happen, we checked in for an early induction and were cared for by Kristy, Mariam, Rachel, and Peyton. I don’t know if I could say enough good things about these 4 wonderful ladies. They made my 32 hour labor seem like a piece of cake- in fact, they had me laughing and joking most of the time (even between pushes). Not only were they extremely informative and kept me knowing what was going, but they comforted me when they could see I was stressed or in pain and they truly made it a pleasant experience. I would be friends with each of them outside of this experience, and I actually miss them now that I am not in the hospital! Not only did they completely cater to my needs and emotions, but they also really eased my husband’s mind and made this a “fun” and less stressful event for him as well, which helped me relax. My doctors, Dr. Cherry and Dr. Tobin-Williams were also wonderful; kept me informed of my options for pain managements and were friendly and familiar faces (since I had seen both of them while pregnant). Ariel, the anesthesiologist, was friendly and professional, and came in a day later to check on me and baby to make sure everything was going ok, which was very appreciated. Our two pediatricians, Dr. Rendla and Dr. Christiansen, were great with our baby, very informative, and both my husband and I feel incredibly comfortable with either of them treating our baby for the next several years of his childhood. Nanci, Katie, and Sharon were our postpartum nurses and were also very informative about what to expect when taking baby home (they all swaddled like pros!) and made sure our stay was as comfortable as possible. Jamie and Christine, were our two amazing lactation consultants. Jamie was SO sweet and helpful in the hospital, showing me how to get the proper latch, talking me through proper diet for someone in my situation (breastfeeding with PCOS), and she checked up on us before we left to make sure we had everything figured out. Christine called to check up a few days later to make sure everything was still going well and ask if I had any questions, and was so friendly and nice- I know that if I ever have any concerns, I can call them without any fear of judgement or being embarrassed. Also wanted to mention how appreciative we were for the friendly interactions with Lisa and Jessica, charge nurses, and the housekeeping staff (I didn’t catch their names) who brought my meals, took out garbage, and made sure we had enough clean linens and pillows. The smallest things made a huge difference. Thank you very much to everyone Marshall Birth Center!

    Kim K.
  • As a Douala, I have attended several births here. The staff is amazing and the setting is lovely! In-room tubs are wonderful for laboring -- a wonderful addition to the new Birth Center. Every person who enters the room is friendly, professional, and personal. I speak of highest recommendations to my clients birthing at Marshall Birth Center!

    L. H.