My First Childbirth

Childbirth can be a painful yet rewarding experience for mothers. After over nine months of pregnancy your baby is finally ready to meet you and the feeling of holding your baby in your arms will relieve you of all your labour pain. Let’s take a closer look on the process of childbirth:

 

 

 

 

 

Stages of Labour Condition Labour Experience General Hospital Procedures 1st Stage Cervix dilates from 0 -3 cm Contractions interval of 5-20 minutes Menstrual-like cramps, backache, indigestion, diarrhoea and slight bloody discharge. Exercise deep breathing and relax. You will remain in the labour room at this stage. Periodical checks on cervix dilation. Cervix dilates from 3 -7 cm Contractions interval of 2-5 minutes More intense pain. Get into comfortable position. Exercise breathing technique like Lamaze. Foetal monitor will be strapped on to determine baby’s heartbeat & contractions of uterus. Cervix dilates from 7 -10 cm Contractions interval of 1-2 minutes Cervix is widely dilated, baby is almost there! This is when you will experience rupture of membrane. 2nd Stage Cervix dilates up to 10 cm Baby is ready to be born! Doctor will place you on your preferred delivery posture. Doctor will prompt you to push. Baby’s head crowning. Keep pushing and breathing as instructed by your doctor. You will already be in the delivery room. You might still be attached to a monitor to access your condition. 3rd Stage Delivery of placenta Congratulations! You’ve made it! Doctor will assess if you need further medical treatment. Doctor will massage your lower abdomen to deliver the placenta. Suture will be done (if needed). Mums will be cleaned up, given maternity pads and moved to their respective room to rest.

Now, let’s take a look at the medical procedures that are available during childbirth. This information will give you a better understanding on whatever procedure that you or your doctor might choose for you during childbirth:

No. Medical Procedures Pain Relief Procedures 1. Ecbolic Agent An agent that induces childbirth by stimulating contractions Intravenous (I.V) Medication Mainly used during early labour via an injection to the vein or muscle to help dull the pain. IV might not eliminate the pain completely. 2. Episiotomy A cut of the perineum skin downward towards the anus to enlarge vaginal opening Helps shorten the pushing phase, prevents oxygen deprivation for baby and ragged perineal tears Local Anaesthesia Injected to the vaginal and rectal area during delivery. Provide numbness in a small area (normally administered during episiotomy). 3. Vacuum Extraction Used when baby is not progressing down as quickly as it should be Epidural Anaesthesia Injected at the back lining of the spinal cord. Provides pain relief for vaginal delivery or allows the mother to stay awake during C-Section. Not recommended for women with low blood pressure or bleeding placenta. It, however has some possible side effects and complications such as: 1. If not administered at the right spot, only part of the body is numbed – requiring more injection. 2. Due to lack of sensation, a urinary catheter must be inserted. 3. Can lengthen the labour period. 4. Possibility of having natural birth is greatly reduced. 5. Baby will have to be delivered by forceps, vacuum or C-Section as mom can’t feel their muscle to push. 6. Some mothers will experience headaches or migraines immediately after the procedure. 4. Forceps Extraction A set of metal tong-like apparatus used to help pull baby out of the vagina 5. Cervical Ripening Agents Use of ripening agent called Pitocin that softens, effaces (thins) and dilates the vaginal opening.

Apart from the Medical and Pain Relief Procedures mentioned above, one of the major procedures performed during childbirth is the Caesarean Section or better known as C-Section. C-Section should be considered as the last option and should be performed only during complications:

C-Section involves 2 types of incisions:

1. An incision through the abdominal wall; and
2. An incision through the uterus (to deliver the baby)
   
   
   

No. Conditions that require C-Section (opt) Conditions that require for an Emergency C-Section 1. Placenta Previa Placenta partially or completely covers the cervical opening to birth canal. Prolapsed Cord A condition where the umbilical cord drops into the vagina during labour before baby is delivered. 2. Breech Birth Baby is positioned in reversed position (buttocks or feet first). Abruption Placentae The placenta partially or completely tears away from the uterus before birth. 3. Multiple Pregnancies Delivering twins or usually performed for delivering three or more babies. Cephalopelvic Disproportion Baby is either too large or is not aligned properly to the birth canal. 4. Maternal Illness Complications such as heart disease or diabetes. Foetal Distress Abnormally persistent foetal heart rate during labour that is life threatening to the baby. 5. Preclampsia and Eclampsia (toxema of pregnancy) Symptoms such as severe high blood pressure, protein in the urine and seizures. Preclampsia and Eclampsia (toxema of pregnancy) Symptoms such as severe high blood pressure, protein in the urine and seizures.