By Nada Arnot
ALL ABOUT LABOR AND DELIVERY
This is it – the finish line. You and your partner have been training for this event for the last 40 weeks and there is no turning back. Hopefully, you have registered in some sort of prenatal class (aka childbirth education class) to help prepare the two of you for labor and delivery. And if you haven’t already registered, then you should as soon as possible since spaces always fill up early in all cities. Very few couples, who are of sane mind, decide to face the delivery room experience without any preparatory training. That said, this article is not intended to be your sole resource on childbirth education, but rather, it is only a simplified version of what you can expect. You may use this article as part of your pre-prenatal education program or as part of your post-prenatal review. However you choose to use this article is entirely up to you, provided that you do not use it as your only information source.
Labor, like pregnancy, is divided into three parts: stage one, two and three. Stage one is then divided into three phases early labor, active labor and the transition period. Don’t worry if this doesn’t make any sense to you now or if you find it slightly boring, everything will become clearer after you read this article and take your prenatal classes. That said, you should be forewarned that childbirth education is a complicated topic. After all, it is about childbirth and the labor process is laborious for both your partner and yourself. And to make matters worse, the entire labor process is long, lasting an average 12-20 hours. Really. While the average length is about 15 hours for the first pregnancy, labor actually gets shorter with each subsequent pregnancy. Whatever you do, do not use this little piece of information as a way to console your partner while she is in her 18th hour of labor…she will be in incredible pain and is not in the mood to discuss future pregnancy plans. Enough said.
Now, let’s try to decode the stages of labor.
Stage One
Early Labor – At Home (Phase I): This is the longest part of labor, lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. This phase will begin by regular contractions (which are different from the Braxton-Hicks contractions your partner may have been experiencing irregularly over the last several weeks as her body began preparing for labor and delivery). These contractions are the real-deal and will intensify as your partner’s cervix begins to dilate. However, the contractions will be manageable and it is not necessary to go to the hospital yet. Your partner will also experience a small amount of spotting (i.e., blood).
Once this phase has begun, your partner should not eat anything, unless her doctor specifically says it is okay (Note: Drinking water is highly recommended throughout all stages of labor). You, however, should eat and drink as necessary. Remember, you will need the energy to help coach your gal through all of this.
Your role during this phase is simply to help keep your partner comfortable and relaxed. Go for a walk, watch television or take a nap.
Active Labor (Phase II): This phase is generally shorter (about 3-4 hours), but more intense that the first phase. The cervix continues to dilate, bloody spotting increases and the infamous “water” will break. This is the time to call your doctor and head to the hospital. Still, there is no need to panic and madly rush to the hospital. Despite all the cliché scenarios depicted on television and in movies, childbirth is a slow process.
Reassure your partner that you are there to help her and that you are willing to do anything she wants from you. This may mean massaging her, feeding her ice chips or just leaving her alone.
Transition Period – At the Hospital (Phase III): This phase lasts a few hours and is characterized by intense pain as your partner’s cervix becomes fully dilated. If your gal is going to ask for pain medication during labor, this will be the time. She’ll be tired, sweaty and exhausted, and she may even vomit from the pain. Despite the desire to begin pushing, your partner will be ordered to resist, which will only make her more irritable. Your job is to encourage her to breath, relax and not push. She will only prolong the birthing process and cause undue strain on her body if she begins pushing too early.
Your partner will need a lot of support and, given the incredible pain, will not likely be the nicest or most polite she can be. Thicken your skin and be a man. Don’t argue with her, don’t try to reason with her and don’t get upset if she swears at you. Just suck it up and continue to coach her through the labor process.
Stage Two
If you thought that the transition period was bad, wait until you get to stage two. The pain intensifies and the amount of blood increases. Fortunately, this is the shortest stage of labor and the most rewarding. Your partner will be given the green light to begin pushing. Listen to the doctors and don’t interfere with this process. Just continue to support your gal with words of encouragement and within about two hours, your baby will be delivered!
Stage Three
The contractions continue for another 30 minutes as your partner’s uterus tries to expel the placenta. Both your partner and yourself will be exhilarated as the reality of what just happened hits you. After 40 weeks and many hours of labor, YOU ARE NOW PARENTS. Congrats!
So, if there are any lessons to be learned here, it would be these three:
1. Know your stuff and be prepared for labor. This means enrolling in childbirth education classes and preparing a birthing plan.
2. There is no rush to get to the hospital. If possible, try to relax and rest in the comfort of your own home during the early labor phase of stage one. The remaining phases and stages will be at the hospital and will be intense.
3. Expect a lot of blood and other bodily fluids, including poop. Take a deep breath and go with it.
In addition to the stages and phases of labor, there are also different types of births. While you will learn about all the varieties in your childbirth education class, you should know about the three most common methods: vaginal birth with medication; vaginal birth without medication; and cesarean birth.
Vaginal Birth Without Medication
This is a fully natural method of labor. Instead of pain medication, relaxation and breathing techniques are used to ease the discomfort. Various birthing aids may also be employed, such as exercise balls, rocking chairs and tubs for soaking.
Vaginal Birth With Medication
With this method, narcotics are administered to help the woman cope with the pain and conserve her energy for the remaining stages of labor. Many women find that too much of their energy is wasted on dealing with the intense pain that they run out of steam later on in the labor process. Two common medications include nitrous oxide gas and epidural anesthesia.
Nitrous oxide gas is inhaled during contractions to reduce the intensity of pain, but not eliminate it. Epidural is administered using a needle and a tube to numb the lower body and completely block the pain during labor and delivery.
Caesarean Birth
This is a surgical procedure that is used when there are complications with the vaginal birthing method (e.g., the cervix may not dilate fully or the woman runs out of energy). A caesarean birth requires an incision in the lower skin and uterus to deliver the baby. Given that this is a surgery, recovery is longer than recovery from a vaginal birth with or without medication.
There are also instances that require a planned caesarean birth, such as placenta previa or a breeched position (i.e., the baby is not positioned head-first toward the birth canal).
You and your partner should discuss the pros and cons of these birthing methods with your doctor well before your partner goes into labor. This is the type thing you want to outline clearly in your birthing plan. Many couples do not want a caesarean birth, unless the baby or the woman is in danger. Again, make sure that you do your research about vaginal and caesarean births before you make your decision. Good luck!
About the Author: Owner and creator of http://www.thefunkystork.com - the only site for the modern expectant father.
Source: www.isnare.com
