Expectant Parent Resources

Our handbook offers a guide to your labor and delivery experience at Brookings Health System.

Download Handbook

Download a checklist of what to bring to the hospital. This checklist also includes information on when and where to come to the hospital at the time of delivery.

Download Checklist

Birth affirmations are a powerful, natural way to help manage pain and anxiety during labor. Recite the powerful statements to yourself to prepare for labor and use them during labor to help you stay focused, calm and in control while giving birth. 

Download Birth Affirmations

Write down your wishes for your labor and delivery experience at New Beginnings Birth Center. All options are available to parents who deliver with us, including freedom to move during labor, pain relief options and infant feeding support.

Download Birth Plan Form

Brookings Health System offers support and information on breastfeeding your child. Services include breastfeeding classes before your baby is born, teaching and support from staff and lactation consultants during your stay at the hospital, and free New Beginnings Baby Cafe breastfeeding support sessions after you leave the hospital. 

Learn About Breastfeeding Support

Regular movements and stretching help you to train for labor and delivery. Our Prenatal Positioning and Stretching Guide uses techniques taught by Spinning Babies to help make pregnancy more comfortable for you and your baby. The activities also help shorten labor length, reduce the chance of labor stalling, and decreases the change of a Cesarean section. 

Download Prenatal Positioning & Stretching Guide

You can also learn more about movements on our Physiologic Birth Support page.

Mindful preparedness before and during labor can help you to manage pain and feel empowered during labor and delivery. Breathing and guided imagery techniques can help you maintain mindfulness.

Download Breathing & Guided Imagery Guide

There are many positions in which you can labor and deliver a baby. We encourage mothers to try positions other than lying on their back so the pelvis can flex for the baby to move through the birth canal.

Download Labor Positions Guide