1 Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels (1 inch or lower). 2  Lift with your knees, not your back!  Use sturdy shoes with a good tread. All the weight will be on your legs, which are strong muscles, and by extension on your feet. Good shoes will help to prevent accidents.
A birth doula is a trained labor coach who assists you during labor and delivery. She provides you with continuous emotional support, as well as assistance with other non-medical aspects of your care. Doulas charge several hundred to a thousand dollars for their services, which are seldom covered by health insurance.
Free-standing birth centers are licensed health care facilities that perform low-risk deliveries following a low-risk pregnancy by a licensed health professional. A low-risk pregnancy is a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy. A free-standing birth center is not a hospital or licensed as part of a hospital. All free-standing birth centers must be accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers (CABC).The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issues licenses for free-standing birth centers.