Labour and Delivery
Childbirth
When you are ready to have your baby, you'll go through labor. Contractions let you know labor is starting. When contractions are five minutes apart, your body is ready to push the baby out.
During the first stage of labor, your cervix slowly opens, or dilates, to about 4 inches wide. At the same time, it becomes thinner. This is called effacement. You shouldn't push until your uterus is fully effaced and dilated. When it is, the baby delivery stage starts. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. The placenta that nourished the baby follows.
Mothers and babies are monitored closely during labor. Most women are healthy enough to have a baby through normal vaginal delivery, meaning that the baby comes down the birth canal without surgery. If there are complications, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section.
Types Of ChildBirth
- Spontaneous vaginal birth—the baby is born through the vagina, usually with only guidance and assistance by the doctor or midwife.
- Vacuum-assisted vaginal birth—a suction (vacuum) device is placed on the baby's head to help the baby's body transit the birth canal.
- Forceps-assisted vaginal birth—instruments called forceps are placed around the presenting part (usually the baby's head), allowing the doctor to complete a difficult delivery.
- Cesarean birth (abdominal delivery)—a major surgical procedure requiring anesthesia and a recovery period. About 20% of births in the United States are accomplished using cesarean birth. The cesarean rate in other parts of the world varies greatly.
Pain Relief During Child Birth
- Seek early prenatal care if you suspect you are pregnant.
- Maintain a healthful diet and exercise plan approved by your doctor.
- Do not use tobacco, alcohol, or any illegal drugs.
- Use the educational resources available through your doctor to learn as much as possible about the process of pregnancy, labor, and the methods of delivery.
- Get plenty of rest as your due date approaches. Labor and delivery may be lengthy and tiring.
Pain during labor is caused primarily by uterine muscle contractions and somewhat by pressure on the cervix. This pain manifests itself as cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as a tired, achy feeling all over. Some women experience pain in their sides or thighs as well.
Other causes of pain during labor include pressure on the bladder and bowels by the baby's head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina.
Although labor is often thought of as one of the more painful events in human experience, it ranges widely from woman to woman and even from pregnancy to pregnancy. Women experience labor pain differently - for some, it resembles menstrual cramps; for others, severe pressure; and for others, extremely strong waves that feel like diarrheal cramps. In addition, first-time mothers are more likely to give their pain a higher rating than women who've had babies before.
The intensity of labor pain isn't always the determining factor that drives women to seek pain management - often it's the repetitive nature and length of time the pain persists with each contraction.
Preparing for Pain
There are a variety of ways to reduce pain during labor, some of which you can start doing before or during your pregnancy.
Regular and reasonable exercise (unless your health care provider recommends against it) can help strengthen your muscles and prepare your body for the stress of labor. Exercise can also increase your endurance, which will come in handy if you have a long labor. The important thing to remember with any exercise is not to overdo it - and this is especially true if you're pregnant. Talk to your health care provider about what he or she considers to be a safe regimen, given your prepregnancy fitness level and the history of your pregnancy.
If you and your partner attend childbirth classes, you'll learn different techniques for handling pain, from visualization to stretches designed to strengthen the muscles that support your uterus. The two most common childbirth philosophies in the United States are the Lamaze technique and the Bradley method.
The Lamaze technique is the most widely used method in the United States. The Lamaze philosophy teaches that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process and that women should be empowered to approach it with confidence. Lamaze classes educate women about the ways they can decrease their perception of pain, such as through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, distraction, or massage by a supportive coach. Lamaze approach takes a neutral position toward pain medication, encouraging women to make an informed decision about whether it's right for them.
The Bradley method (also called Husband-Coached Birth) emphasizes a natural approach to birth and the active participation of the baby's father as birth coach. A major goal of this method is the avoidance of medications unless absolutely necessary. The Bradley method also focuses on good nutrition and exercise during pregnancy and relaxation and deep-breathing techniques as a method of coping with labor. Although the Bradley method advocates a medication-free birth experience, the classes do prepare parents for unexpected complications or situations, like emergency cesarean sections.
Some other ways you can handle pain during labor include:
- hypnosis
- yoga
- meditation
- walking
- massage or counterpressure
- changing position
- taking a bath or shower
- distracting yourself by counting or performing an activity that keeps your mind otherwise occupied