what you can say when you’re admitted to l&d in the hospital: communication tips

Walking into the hospital can feel like crossing a threshold—from your comfortable and known home environment to a sterile and unfamiliar one, or the feeling of going from waiting to doing. It’s a big moment. And while you're focusing on managing contractions and staying grounded, it can help to have a few key phrases in your back pocket to navigate the early part of hospital admission with confidence.

Below are some common things you might hear from hospital staff—and ways you can respond if you want to honor your birth preferences, maintain autonomy, and feel more like an active participant than a passive patient.

What you might hear:

💬 “Go ahead and put on this gown.”

👩‍🍼 What you can say:
“I brought this robe/dress from home that I’d prefer to wear.”
💡 Why this matters:
Wearing your own clothes can help you feel more comfortable, grounded, and like yourself. Labor isn’t a medical emergency—it’s a natural event. Feeling like an active participant (not just a patient) makes a difference.

💬“Go ahead and lie down” or “Take a seat in the bed.”

👣 What you can say:
“I’d like to stay upright so I can keep using movement to work through contractions. Is there a good place near the bed where I can be?”
💡 Why this matters:
Movement helps manage the intensity of labor and can support baby’s position. Staying upright—walking, swaying, using a birth ball—can be a powerful tool, especially if you’re going without or delaying pain medication.

💬 “Let’s get you admitted!”

🕰️ What you can say:
“I’m planning to wait until active labor before being admitted. I’d like to come back once contractions have picked up more.”
💡 Why this matters:
If you’re still in early labor, or maybe your waters broke and you’re waiting for contractions to begin, being admitted too soon can lead to unnecessary interventions. You can be assessed without committing to staying just yet.

💬 “Let’s get you hooked up to the monitors.”

📡 What you can say:
“I discussed using intermittent monitoring with my provider and would like to stick with that. If possible, I’d also prefer wireless monitors so I can move around freely.”
💡 Why this matters:
Intermittent monitoring is evidence-based for low-risk pregnancies and non-medicated labors. It allows you more freedom to move, rest, or walk the halls without being tethered to a machine.

💬 “Let’s get your IV in and fluids started.”

💧 What you can say:
“I’d like a saline lock for now. I’m drinking water regularly and would prefer to wait on IV fluids unless they’re necessary.”
💡 Why this matters:
A saline lock keeps the IV access available but doesn’t require you to be hooked up to fluids or an IV pole right away. This keeps your hands free, your body mobile, and your labor feeling less clinical—while still leaving room for medical support if needed.

It’s all about your preferences! But if a suggestion, request, or direction comes up that isn’t aligned with your preferences, these little conversations can make a big difference. You’re not being difficult or “high maintenance” by asking questions or expressing your preferences—you’re advocating for your experience. And you don’t have to memorize a script! That’s what doulas are for: to help hold space, remind you of your options, and offer gentle guidance in the moment.

Your birth matters. Your voice matters. And you’re allowed to take up space.