Jennifer Memolo and her husband Sean are less than a month away from their delivery date. The first-time parents are taking a 10-week class to get ready.
Jennifer says, "When it comes to childbirth, you only see things on television and it's usually this horrific experience where people are screaming or yelling or some comedic experience. So this kind of helps you realize what really goes on and what your body goes through."
Certified Nurse Midwife Marilyn Lowe says not only do the classes get parents mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for labor and delivery, they ease some of the fear. Parents choosing natural childbirth also learn relaxation techniques and ways to cope during labor.
Marilyn says, "Birthing balls, walking the halls, position changes, the tub - there are so many things that we can use."
Whether you choose to have a natural childbirth or not, medical experts say every mom should have a plan detailing exactly what they want from their birthing experience.
"We have a large continuum from nothing over here to an epidural over here," said Marilyn Lowe.
Jennifer's plan is to experience the delivery medicine-free.
"It has been described as this beautiful, magical thing," Memolo said. "So I want to have the opportunity to see if that's actually true."
She also knows if she changes her mind, that's OK, too, "because," as Marilyn told us, "the ultimate goal is a healthy mother and a healthy baby."