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Labor and Delivery Tips
Why You May Need an Episiotomy
An episiotomy is a cut from the vagina toward the back passage, performed during the late stages of labor. It is usually done because the baby is distressed or there is a concern over a possible tear to the mother. Episiotomies are becoming less common as it’s now widely believed that it’s better to let the skin tear naturally than to cut it. This is because women typically experience more problems with healing after an episiotomy than they do a tear.
Most women say they don’t feel anything at the time of the episiotomy at all. If you are having a natural birth the area will be numbed with anaesthetic first so it’s unlikely you would notice the procedure being performed.
It’s when recovering from an episiotomy that you may experience some pain and discomfort. There are many ways to help yourself with recovery, including ice packs to the sore area, witch hazel tablets to help the skin to heal and warm baths. An episiotomy is done for a good reason and often causes no problems to a mother whatsoever.
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Labor Pain and How to Cope
There’s really no avoiding pain during labor, though there are some women who claim to have experienced little or no pain at all during their delivery. For most women contractions are painful; they will probably start mildly and feel like the pain associated with a menstrual cycle, but will steadily become more intense and more frequent. Back pain labor is very common and can be helped by a birth partner gently rubbing the small of the back during a contraction. Positioning yourself in whichever way is most comfortable can also be a help.
Labor pain management and the type of labor pain relief you would rather use needs to be thoroughly considered and decided upon before your labor begins. Labor pain can be managed in various ways depending on the individual. Using an epidural is really the only way to minimize the pain as much as possible.
Remember the result of labor pain: It is bringing you closer to the moment you will see your baby. Embrace it as a natural occurrence, breathe through your contractions and use the coping mechanisms you have been taught. But if it all gets too much don’t be a hero. There’s plenty of labor pain relief, so use it.
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Labor Preparation – What to Bring
Packing your bag for the hospital is an important part of labor preparation. You are physically putting things in place for the birth of your baby and it can help to relax you and focus your attention on something other than the unknown nature of your labor. Make a list and check items off as you prepare your bag. Here are some of the things you'll need for the hospital:
Baby clothes
Nursing bra and nursing pads
Bath robe, comfortable shoes and socks
Toiletries for yourself such as toothbrush, shampoo, hairbrush and make-up
Change of clothes for when you leave the hospital
Cell phone charger
Items that relax you: extra pillow, music, magazines, etc.
Have your bag packed and easily accessible at least four weeks before your due date.
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Signs of Labor
All expectant mothers want to know: What does labor pain feel like? There are a few signs of labor that let you know when labor has begun or is imminent.
For some women the first sign is when their water breaks (contractions usually begin soon after, and at this point you will officially be in labor).
For others labor begins gradually and contractions are more subtle, starting with pains across the back and abdomen and progressing slowly. Contractions are described differently by different women, but they will usually feel like menstrual cramps and will move in waves over the uterus.
Passing of the mucus plug is a common sign of labor. This happens when the cervix begins to open and a mucus discharge, either clear or bloody, appears. Although this usually means labor is about to start, it can take up to a few weeks for it to actually begin.
Another sign that labor is imminent is lightening, a term used when your baby settles into your pelvis.
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Inducing Labor – What to Expect
Inducing labor is usually done because a pregnancy has gone over the baby’s due date by more than two weeks or there is a medical reason to give labor a helping hand, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
If you are facing having your labour induced you shouldn’t worry. There are a few ways in which this might be done and all are relatively safe and pain free. Breaking the water of a pregnant woman is probably the most commonly used way of inducing labor. Other forms of labor inducing are a hormone to stimulate contractions, a hormone to ripen the cervix and stripping of the membranes (which may sound worse than it actually is). This procedure consists of a doctor inserting a finger into the vagina and separating the membrane which connects the amniotic sac to the wall of the uterus. The worst you can expect from any of these procedures is a little pain or discomfort.
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Why a C-Section is Performed
Cesarean sections, or C-sections, are more common now than they have ever been. This is probably due to the fact that it is a safe procedure today, and one which can be done either as an emergency or as a scheduled procedure.
Nobody should worry if it turns out they have to undergo a Cesarean section. Some women may feel disappointed and cheated of a natural delivery, but rest assured doctors would only perform a C-section if it is absolutely necessary. Others will worry about the procedure itself, but again, there shouldn't be cause for concern.
A C-section birth consists of an incision either along the bikini line or vertically from below the naval to the pubic bone, depending on the position of the baby and the reason for the C-section. In most cases the mother will be fully conscious throughout and will be able to hold her baby immediately after birth, just as she would after a natural birth.
An elective C-section birth is usually done because of pre-existing conditions which make it risky to give birth naturally. One of the things expectant mothers like about planning a C-section is knowing exactly when their baby will be born and being able to plan for that date. Emergency C-sections are slightly more likely to encounter C-section complications. But most are rare and C-sections continue to be a safe way to have your baby.
