What Should You Expect in Labor & Delivery?

By Caitlin Goodwin, DNP, CNM, RN

This article is a sample of the kind of content I get paid to write as a nurse writer. Educating, describing, and writing, all things nurses are good at. And yes, birth content like this pays the bills.

Generating Income from Obstetric Health Content

You already know labor & delivery like the back of your gloved hand. You’ve pushed through potty breaks, squeezed hips through double hospital gowns, charted through contractions, and called out for the warmer when it was go-time.

But what if you could take all that knowledge and turn it into a flexible, meaningful career outside the hospital?

Here is an example of a patient-facing labor & delivery educational blog post, written for an audience of expecting parents, by a nurse who’s been there. I’ll walk through epidurals, birth options, and pain meds, just like I would at the bedside. But now, I’m doing it from home, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, in yoga pants, with my own coffee, and minimal bodily fluids.

What to Know Before Heading to Labor & Delivery

Pregnancy can feel like information overload.
One person tells you to eat dates, another warns you about preventing vaginal tearing, and someone else casually drops a C-section horror story in the cereal aisle.

Let me be clear: Their story doesn’t define your birth.

You’re growing a human. That alone is extraordinary.
And you deserve honest, evidence-based information, without the fear tactics.

What is the best way to give birth to my baby?

I’m a Certified Nurse-Midwife with more than a decade of experience in birth. I’m also a mother who gave birth to four babies in very different ways. I’ve seen birth from every angle: natural, medicated, surgical, and unexpected. There’s no one “right” way to give birth.

What should you expect in labor & delivery?

Now it’s time to get acquainted with the real story and try to alleviate those pre-birth jitters. Let’s explore the various methods of giving birth and discuss what to expect during labor and delivery.

Unmedicated Birth

Unmedicated birth appeals to many because it offers more control and fewer interventions. I encourage you to find a birth provider who shares your views. It’s the best way to ensure you feel empowered, listened to, and supported.

• Prepare for childbirth physically and mentally with movement, hydration, and effective coping strategies.
• Hire a skilled doula to reduce interventions and boost overall birth satisfaction.
• Change your mind at any point. Your birth experience is yours, not a checklist.
• Midwives consistently deliver exceptional outcomes and compassionate care, making them a trusted partner in your birthing experience.

🩺 Caitlin Note: This tip seems simple, but it’s exactly what healthcare brands and parenting platforms hire nurse writers for. It fosters trust while maintaining a warm, clear, and confident tone.

What Is Epidural Anesthesia?

Epidural anesthesia is the most common form of pain relief during labor. A nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist places a catheter into the epidural space in the lower spine. Once it’s in place, medication is continuously delivered to reduce pain in the lower body.

Most people can’t walk after an epidural and will need help changing positions or emptying their bladder with a catheter. But it doesn’t make you unconscious — you’re still alert and present. And for many birthing people, it offers profound relief during an intense physical process.

🩺 Caitlin Note: Use plain language and avoid jargon, such as “neuraxial.” Keep the focus on the reader’s experience. Tone matters as much as accuracy.

Other Pain Meds

• Opioids (like Stadol or Nubain): IV options used early in labor; reduce intensity but don’t erase pain
• Nitrous oxide: Self-controlled, fast-acting, and out of your system in minutes

Cesarean Birth (C-Section)

There are planned, urgent, and emergency C-sections. Each comes with different considerations, especially if you’re exploring VBAC options. If you have a breech baby or multiple babies, you may be offered an external version or a scheduled surgery.

Birth doesn’t always follow your plan. Mine didn’t.
But being heard, supported, and educated made all the difference.

Whatever your labor is, natural, medicated, or surgical, you’re still powerful, still informed, and still the right parent for this baby.

Becoming a Nurse Writer

You already have the knowledge. You’ve spent years helping people through the trauma, healing, and heartbreak.

Nurse writers do more than type words. We translate critical information into something understandable and clear.

These articles are the kind of content clients need, and it’s the kind of work nurses are uniquely good at.

I am Dr. Caitlin Goodwin, a certified nurse-midwife with nearly twenty years of experience in health care.

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The content on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. While I draw from my experience as a nurse and midwife, nothing here is intended to replace professional medical, legal, or career advice. Please consult with the appropriate licensed provider for individual guidance. Always call 911 or seek emergency help if you are experiencing a crisis.