 An amazing experience!
Soon, you will experience the amazing process of childbirth! It is important to know
the signs of labor and learn about the different options available for giving birth so you
feel confident and comfortable with your experience.
View the printable version of Childbirth
Signs of Labor
Remember the signs of true labor, so that you will know when you are having the
"real thing:"
Contractions at regular and increasingly shorter intervals that also
become stronger in intensity.
Lower back pain that doesn't go away. You might also feel premenstrual
and crampy.
Your water breaks (can be a large gush or a continuous trickle) and is
accompanied by contractions.
A bloody (brownish or blood-tinged) mucous discharge. This is the mucous
plug that blocks the cervix. Labor could be at any time, or days away.
Your cervix is dilating (opening up) and becoming thinner and softer
(also called effacement). During a pelvic exam, your health care provider will be able to
tell if these things are happening.
Birthing Options
You may have several options available for where you will have your baby, including at
home, in a birth center, or at a
hospital. Birth centers usually can administer intravenous fluid, pain medications, and
oxygen, and are able to repair episiotomies.
They also have basic equipment to start emergency treatment if it is necessary. Hospitals
have more advanced medical equipment to care for a baby whose health or life is in danger,
and will be able to provide a cesarean section
or epidurals, if necessary. If your pregnancy
is considered to be at high risk (as in women who smoke, or use drugs, or have medical
complications due to a known condition), home births are not recommended.
You also can choose what type of health care provider you would like to deliver your
baby. An obstetrician (OB) is a medical doctor who specializes in prenatal care and in
delivering babies in a hospital. A certified nurse-midwife
(CNM) also specializes in prenatal care and labor and delivery, and can deliver your baby
at the hospital, in a birth center, or at home. There are other types of midwives as well.
Some women also choose to have a doula assist with labor and delivery. A doula is
a professional support person who helps give physical support, such as advice on
breathing, relaxation, movement and positioning during labor. Doulas also give continuous
emotional support and comfort to women and their partners during labor and birth. Doula's
and midwives often work together during a woman's labor.
You may also be interested in taking childbirth preparation classes, such as Lamaze, which emphasizes minimal medical
intervention, teaches coping methods for labor and delivery, and helps guide new parents
in the many decisions they will make before and during the birth process.
Managing Pain
One of the things you may be most concerned with is the amount of pain you may have
during labor. Childbirth is different for all women, and no one can predict how much pain
you will have. During the labor process, your health care provider should ask you if you
need pain relief, and will help you decide what option is the best for you. Your options
may include a local or intravenous analgesic
(pain relieving drug), an epidural (injection which blocks pain in the lower part of your
body), spinal anesthesia (used when the delivery will require forceps, or a pudenal block (numbs the vulva, vagina and anus during the second stage of
labor and during delivery).
Your progression through the different stages of labor and delivery will determine how
quickly the baby is coming, and whether you have time to get to the hospital, birth
center, or back home to deliver. Having information about your choices for birthing will
help with some of the stress you may feel during labor.
The following resources can help you learn more about the options you will have
in the birth of your baby:
This page last updated: June 2003 |
