Childbirth Options

As you are approaching the last few weeks of your pregnancy you will be getting quite anxious. This period can be traumatic, but you’ll be more at ease if you and your partner are prepared for this life changing experience. To follow are a few childbirth options on delivery and what to expect.

PLANNING AHEAD FOR CHILDBIRTH

It is advised to learn all you can about the birthing process. Most hospital and birth centres offer antenatal classes where they would go through the process, so take your partner along. These classes will teach you the different stages of labour and what to expect at each stage. At these classes and at your doctors visits it is important to ask questions, such as:

• When to go to the hospital?
• What to expect when you get there?
• What pain-relief options the offer?
• What the benefits or they have?
• What possible emergency situations may occur?
• What resources are available?
• When would it be necessary to have a caesarean section?
• What will happen directly after giving birth?

HOW LABOUR BEGINS

Although labour begins differently for each woman, there are definite signs that baby is on the way:

• Contractions (tightening of the muscles of the uterus that move the baby through the birth canal).
• The “breaking of water” is the rupture of membranes around the baby.
• You might also have “a show”, which is a vaginal discharge of blood-tinged mucus.

CHILDBIRTH OPTIONS

Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD)

Most women should be strong and healthy enough to cope with delivering their baby with an uncomplicated NVD. During delivery your doctor or midwife performs certain procedures such as:

Vaginal examination: performed regularly to monitor your progress.

Enema: may be given to empty the colon to prevent defecation (passing of stool) during labour.

Intravenous line: may be inserted into you arm to administer fluids or painkillers.

Foetal monitoring: an external ultrasound monitor is placed on your tummy to monitor baby’s well being if your cervix has not fully dilated. If your “waters have broken” an internal monitor could be used.

Here are some common procedures used to assist during delivery when nature needs a little hand:

Inducing labour: contractions are stimulated by using medication or by amniotomy (breaking of the waters by making a tear in the amniotic membrane by using a small plastic hook). Reasons for inducing labour could be post-term pregnancy, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes mellitus, previous stillbirth or premature rupture of membranes.

Episiotomy: a small cut, done under local anaesthetic, is made to enlarge the vaginal opening when the baby’s head is crowning to prevent the muscles from tearing.

Vacuum extraction: used to assist the mother if she becomes too exhausted or if the baby shows any sign of distress. A small cup is placed on the baby’s head and a slight suction is applied.

Forceps: instruments used to guide the baby’s head out of the birth canal.

If these methods are applied and fail and the mother is still struggling or the baby is in distress then a caesarean section may be necessary.

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