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How long will labour actually last? Is my baby doing all right? How bad
is the pain going to be? Will I really be able to make it through this
experience?
You can't know the answers to these questions in advance. But there are
certain procedures you can learn about now that can help prepare you for
what lies ahead.
It helps to understand the medical routine that will follow your admission
to a hospital or birthing center before the process of childbirth is underway.
It's a good idea to tour the medical center to become familiar with its
facilities.
Print these general guidelines and review them with your health-care provider
to ensure that you understand what to expect once you arrive at the hospital
or birthing center.
When you get to there, you will probably follow these steps:
•
You'll be admitted. ( It is a good idea to have booked into the facility
in advance and to have notified your medical aid of
your plans)
• You'll be taken to an examination room or your
birthing room.
• You'll be interviewed by a nurse to assess
which symptoms you're feeling.
• You'll sign
consent forms and other routine documents.
• You'll be given
an initial pelvic exam by a physician or nurse to determine how
much your cervix has dilated and effaced.
• You'll be hooked
up to various monitors to ensure close monitoring of you
and your unborn baby--keeping you both safe during this crucial period.
• An IV may be started. The purpose of the IV is to provide
hydration if needed in the later stages of labour, and
to allow intravenous medication if it's needed suddenly.
An IV is necessary if epidural anesthesia is used.
• Your physician or nurse will discuss with you the possibility
of rupturing your membranes if they have not already
ruptured.
• You'll be invited to rock in a chair, walk around
with your labour coach, or possibly take a warm shower.
The key is to relax and communicate with your labour
coach and medical staff so they can help make you as comfortable
as possible.
• The labour nurse and physician will monitor
you to note your progress (or lack thereof) and also
will monitor your baby's vital signs, but they may leave
you alone with your coach. If you want to talk with your nurse or
doctor, don't be shy about calling for them.
• You'll be kept
well-hydrated during your labour and you'll be encouraged to
urinate frequently. You may also have a catheter inserted to remove urine
if labour isn't progressing as expected.
As labour progresses, you and your physician will discuss your progress,
as well as any necessary interventions (should the need for them develop).
You should discuss use of pain medications or monitors with your care
provider well in advance. Also write down your wishes or birth plan and
let your labour partner remind your health-care provider of these. Then
you'll have the added peace of mind that comes from sharing clear communication
with your health-care provider and understanding what you can expect from
the staff during the birthing process.
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