Don’t get caught by hospital “surprises.” Know what to expect before labor!
Planning for a natural hospital birth means understanding how to navigate labor AND the L&D floor. With our Navigating Hospital Birth Guide, you’ll know what to ask and what to look for in the hospital so you can plan confidently & strategically.
Behind-the-scenes with Doula Gabrielle Daniels
Natural birth in the hospital is absolutely possible—But it rarely happens by chance…
As a doula, it’s always my goal to help first-time and experienced mamas prepare for their natural hospital births intentionally, based on their values and vision.
When I work with mamas who have already had a hospital birth before, they often tell me the common “surprises” they faced:
They thought they had prepared ahead.
They thought they had asked the right questions.
But even with the best intentions, they still felt swept into a process at the hospital that felt fast, clinical, and confusing.
Not because they weren’t strong or committed to their birth plan. But because they didn’t know how to navigate the system before labor started. Common examples of this have been:
They planned to move in labor—but no one told them all their options for monitoring.
They wrote a birth plan—but didn’t know what to do when it was being questioned based on hospital “policies”.
They trusted their medical team—but learned later that there were other questions worth asking.
And when labor is intense and decisions are coming quickly, it’s hard to think clearly or advocate in the moment if you’re not already grounded in what matters to you.
You don’t need to be an expert — you just need to be equipped.
When you understand how the hospital environment works, you don’t have to be afraid of it—you can plan wisely within it. That might look like:
Asking the right questions during prenatal visits so you’re not surprised later
Understanding your hospital’s common practices—and how they align with your preferences
Knowing your rights around interventions, monitoring, movement, and more
Preparing your support team to speak up when you need a moment to breathe or regroup
This isn’t about being confrontational. It’s about being clear—on your philosophy, your choices, and your voice so you can have the natural hospital birth experience you value and prepared for ahead of time.
It’s easier to birth on your terms in a space you know how to navigate.
Your natural birth journey doesn’t have to be full of stress once you get to the hospital. And you don’t need to have every answer in advance. You don’t even need to control all the uncontrollables.
But you can show up informed, steady, and ready to work with your care team from a place of confidence! And that can make a huge difference in your birth satisfaction overall, especially in a hospital setting.
That’s why I created the Navigating Hospital Birth Guide for mamas.
This guide was built from the very real questions, conversations, and challenges I walk through with my own birth clients and mamas who’ve shared their stories with me.
It’s not just about having a plan—it’s about knowing how to use that plan, ask the right questions, and prepare for the hospital without losing your vision for a natural birth.
Let’s get you equipped—so you can walk in ready. Get your guide below 👇
Use these 10 must-ask questions to make wise hospital choices!
When it comes to the hospital you choose, knowing what you’re walking into (literally) is essential to being prepared! Our Navigating Hospital Birth Guide provides must-ask questions for you to assess your hospital of choice and know what to expect for your natural birth plan there.
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