Most births are natural experiences, and the physicians at Women First want you to have as natural a birth experience as possible. We also view pregnancy and delivery as a cooperative endeavor between physician and patient to provide a healthy outcome for both mother and baby. The following guidelines for a typical birth help you bring your baby into the world safely and naturally.
- Presence of husband or significant other at all times through labor and delivery
- Presence of baby’s siblings if appropriately prepared
- No shave prep
- No enema
- Saline lock rather than continuous IV fluid
- Labor positioning as you desire
- No episiotomy unless necessary for delivery of your baby
- Option to use nitrous oxide for pain relief during labor
- Intermittent fetal monitoring after 30 minutes when a normal fetal heart rate is documented
- Wireless telemetry
- Spontaneous delivery of the placenta
- Ambulation in early stages of labor provided fetal heart rate is checked
- Ice chips, popsicles and sips of clear liquids
- Kangaroo Care (skin-to-skin holding of newborn baby)
- Delayed cord clamping
At Women First, we believe in helping you champion your own birthing experience so that it is all you’ve ever imagined it to be. Our birthing plan guide is designed to help you consider your personal preferences for the childbirth process. If you are interested in customizing your birthing options, please download the Women First Birthing Plan PDF here, select your preferences, and bring them to your 36-week appointment to review with your physician. You will also need to bring a copy with you to the hospital to give to your labor and delivery nurse on the “big day”!
As much as we want to help you experience a natural childbirth, some births require a little extra help. That may mean that your first preference for your birthing plan is not possible—to ensure your safety and that of your baby. If that should happen, we’ll keep you informed of your new choices and work closely with you to achieve your birthing goals in a safe and nurturing delivery environment.
The following interventions may be used if needed for your baby’s or your wellbeing.
- Pitocin IV to assist contractions and to prevent hemorrhage
- Rupture of membranes
- Oxygen administration
- Continuous fetal monitoring by internal monitors
- Cesarean section
- Manual delivery of placenta should hemorrhage occur
Each birth is unique to that mother and child, and the guidelines and procedures shown here certainly don’t make up an exhaustive list of what can happen during labor and delivery. We encourage you to talk with your doctor about your wishes for labor and delivery, share your Birthing Plan guide selections at your 36-week visit, and bring us any questions you have at any time. Your Care Team wants to have a positive relationship with you, based on mutual respect and a true partnership for the benefit of you and your baby.
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What People Are Saying
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Lauren Hayes25 September 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Ultrasound tech, Emma, was phenomenal! She was so compassionate and took her time to make our experience great. We really appreciate the care she took during our ultrasound.Posted on Google
Sidney12 August 2026Highly recommend! From the moment I walked in to the moment I walked out, my care was thoughtful, caring, and the furthest thing from feeling dismissed at a doctor’s office. Ellie did a wonderful job making me feel heard, comfortable and validate what I had been experiencing. For a first visit, I left feeling reassured and grateful that I chose this office.Posted on Google
Charisa McMahon21 July 2026I highly recommend Audrey Fenwick. She truly takes the time to listen and never makes me feel rushed during my appointments. I always feel like my concerns are heard and taken seriously. What I appreciate most is that she’s willing to explore different treatment options rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. She works with me until we find a plan that we’re both comfortable with, and I always leave feeling confident that I’ve received thoughtful, personalized care. It’s refreshing to have a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and genuinely invested in helping her patients feel their best.Posted on Google
Amy Curry26 June 2026Dr. Shannon was a great provider during my last pregnancy with twins! She answered every question I had, kept me in the loop on all the clinical decisions and options I had available, and made me feel safe and heard during all of my interactions with her and her staff. All of the staff at Women’s first always took great care of me and my babies no matter what concern I had at the time.Posted on Google
Rhonda Eichenberger20 June 2026They are always all so nice and welcoming. I just love Brook McAfee, APRN, she is awesome!Posted on Google
Robin12 June 2026Dr Grider is the best Doctor. Very thorough, kind and personable!Posted on Google
Cathy Carter4 June 2026I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the services provided by Dr. Anne L. Oliphant and the staff at Women First of Louisville. Dr. Oliphant and staff exhibit outstanding professionalism, punctuality and courtesy. I highly recommend Dr. Oliphant based on the fact that she is an exceptionally skilled and compassionate physician who truly takes the time to listen to her patients. Throughout my appointments, she and the staff made me feel completely at ease. She thoroughly explained my diagnosis and patiently answered all my questions without ever making me feel rushed. I had to do bloodwork during my last appointment. The clinicians and staff were especially friendly and professional as well. Dr. Oliphant’s, and the staff’s, empathetic bedside manner and clear communication elicit standout medical providers in the specialized field of menopause medicine. I believe that Dr. Oliphant has really listened to my concerns and has taken the time to support my health journey. I highly recommend her and the staff to anyone seeking personalized and highly effective care.Posted on Google
Nancy Nance3 June 2026I have been a patient here for over 25 years. The best of care for any need I have had ! Simply the best !Posted on Google
Kim Goff12 May 2026The care I've received at Women First of Louisville has been outstanding for over 15 years. It is amazing that such a large practice can be so efficient, organized, and caring all at the same time. For my annual checkups, I am able to schedule my mammogram and provider visit together. Pre-check in means I simply sign in and within a minute or two I'm called for my mammogram. Another 2-5 minute wait and I'm with a friendly, knowledgeable technician who completes the mammogram with a smile and a caring attitude. In 10 minutes, I am back in the waiting area and immediately called back for vitals by another friendly professional assistant. Within 5-10 minutes I am in the exam room and my provider, Heather McLennan, arrives. Here is where the appointment is less about efficiency and more about the care she provides to me. Heather always takes the time to speak with me...asking questions about my life, my health and my concerns. These are not just a check list. She listens. She smiles. She looks me in the eyes and participates in a conversation with me that makes me feel like she cares and understands. Her exam is gentle but thorough. I often have a question about recent research or options and she gives me her honest opinion based on facts. I completely trust her and the other women in all aspects of this practice. **A few years ago I did have a less than stellar experience with an assistant who took my vitals. She was dismissive and sloppy and made me feel uncomfortable when I didn't understand her questions. After I shared this experience with the check out staff, the office manager called me the same day for details, an apology and guarantee that the practice would address this as a training issue that would hopefully correct it. I've not seen or heard anything like it since. I am 100% satisfied with the care I receive at Women First of Louisville. I highly recommend you consider them for your healthcare needs.Posted on Google
Carly Garcia11 May 2026Dr. Lauren Lewis is fabulous! She is extremely kind and patient, and she genuinely cares about those in her care. I felt very comfortable during my first appointment with her and have already recommended her to a friend!
