Top 11 Concerns of Labor and Delivery

According to the book, Birthing From Within, the following are the top 11 concerns of labor and delivery for pregnant woman.

1) Not being able to stand the pain

2) Not being able to relax

3) Feeling rushed, or fear of taking too long

4) My pelvis is not big enough

5) My cervix won’t open

6) Lack of privacy

7) Being judged for making noise

8) Being separated from the baby

9) Having to fight for my wishes to be respected

10) Having intervention and not knowing if it is necessary or what else to do

11) Pooping during labor

As you can see, it is apparently natural for women to worry about all sorts of things prior to giving birth. Most of this worry and concern comes from a sense of not knowing what to expect, and of course the worries that everything will work out as planned. We are conditioned to feel like we are in control of our lives, and the unknown (as well as the high stakes of labor and delivery) tamper with our sense of control.

The good news is that a little bit of worry and apprehension is okay. Your concern for what might happen stems from the love you feel for your baby. But rather than let your worries get the best of you, try these simple tips for regaining your sense of control.

First, make sure that you have a birthing plan that you go over with your family members and your doctors. Most birthing centers will have you fill one out when you visit the hospital. This gives you time to make clear decisions about your wishes during labor and delivery, and enables you to have some records on file so that doctors and nurses can make sure your wishes are followed. Plus, making a birthing plan ahead of time ensures that you won’t have to make snap decisions in the delivery room when your thinking wont be as clear.

Talk to other pregnant moms and family members and friends. You are not alone in giving birth. Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, and while many people will fill you with horror stories – others will reassure you that all will be well.

Another good piece of advice is to trust your body. Thoughts like “What if I can’t give birth,” or “What if my cervix won’t dilate,” are normal concerns. But trust in your body. Your body knows what it is doing, and as long as you listen to what it is telling you, you will fine. Plus, medical intervention has come so far today that there are very little things that could happen that a doctor won’t be able to help you with.

Remind yourself that your labor and delivery is a personal part of your life. YOUR LIFE. Who cares what others think? Who cares if you poop, or make noise, or if you cry? This is about YOU and YOUR family. The people who are there with you love you and if they respect you, then you should have no worries about being embarrassed or ashamed of ANYTHING that happens during labor and delivery.

Recognize that worrying about pain is normal. It does not mean you are selfish. And just because people tell you that you won’t remember the pain afterwards doesn’t mean that you can easily dismiss a fear of pain. Doctors today can make labor and delivery as comfortable as possible, and YOU ARE TOUGHER THAN YOU THINK!

When the worries get the best of you, just sit back and relax and breathe. Think about your future with your baby. Think positive thoughts and try to keep yourself busy. Find people to talk to about your feelings, and don’t hold anything in. Remember, YOU GOT THIS!

Written By Stef, Mom of 4 @Mom-Spirational

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Midwife or Doctor: How to Choose

When it comes to prenatal care, it is important to choose a practitioner who not only meets your needs, but one who is professional and respects your beliefs. Many women do not think about the type of prenatal care they want before they get pregnant; however, when the time comes to make a decision, it should be well thought out. Choosing to be cared for by a midwife or an obstetrician-gynecologist may shape how your pregnancy – and your childbirth – progresses. The last thing you need during pregnancy is to be dealing with stress or tension. That is why it is important to choose someone you are completely comfortable with.

Choosing a Practitioner

There are a few things that you’ll want to take note of when trying to decide between a midwife and an Ob-Gyn. Besides personal beliefs, some women prefer one practitioner over the other for medical reasons, experience, safety, etc. If there are specific things that you are concerned about or need special treatment for, the right practitioner will be essential for a healthy pregnancy.

Routine Approach to Pregnancy

Ob-gyns are well-equipped and take a routine approach to your pregnancy. They will answer your questions and ensure your safe progress during pregnancy. However, since they see many patients, time can be an issue. You may not necessarily get all your questions answered or concerns heard.

If you have certain pre-existing medical conditions, you may be considered high-risk during pregnancy and may need to be cared for by an ob-gyn. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, etc. are all considered serious medical conditions and may need more attention. An ob-gyn will have equipment and facilities available to monitor your pre-existing conditions throughout pregnancy.

Usually, midwives take on pregnancies that are not complicated, to ensure the safety of the mother and the baby. Most midwives have the back-up of a doctor for referral if a condition develops during pregnancy or birth.

Holistic Approach to Pregnancy

If you’re looking for someone who can give you time and gets as involved as you want, you may prefer to have a midwife take care of you during your pregnancy. Midwives generally have time to answer questions you may have and can ease you in your pregnancy by helping you along the way, both physically and emotionally. A midwife is able to talk to you about specific birth plans and talk you through your options.

Check List

Before you choose either an ob-gyn or a midwife, go through your checklist and decide how you want to proceed in your pregnancy. Decide on things such as where do want to give birth: in your home or in a hospital? Do you want to try a new birthing experience, such as water birth? Do you have medical problems or have a family history of diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes? Will your medical insurance cover all your needs with this practitioner? Interview doctors or midwives if you have to until you find someone you are comfortable with.

Were there any specific ways you chose a practitioner when pregnant? Let us know your experience with either practitioner.

Written by Manal, first time mom, rearing an infant.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

Is This Labor?

It’s the middle of the night, you’re in your 39th week and all of a sudden you feel a strong tightening in your abdomen. The first thing you think is, Am I having contractions? Is this labor? For first time parents, one of the most crucial parts of pregnancy is to know when you’re actually having contractions, and when it’s time to pack up and head on over to the hospital. Not to worry, though, false contractions are very normal. If you end up making a few trips to the hospital and they tell you you’re not ready, you don’t need to worry. Many women have been through false alarms during pregnancy.

How To Know It’s Not Time Yet

Contrary to what we may watch on television shows or in movies, actual labor does not start suddenly; there is a general progression of events that happen prior to that. When you go into labor, your body has been preparing itself for weeks before it’s time for the baby to arrive. More often than not, first time mothers in their third trimester can trigger false contractions due to stress or hormonal changes, even dehydration. Even when you go into labor, it can be hours before you have your baby.

Signs of Labor or False Alarm?

There are several events that happen which are associated with labor. When these start happening to a woman, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to grab your overnight bag and jet to the hospital. It may be a false alarm, or it may be very early labor. These signs include:

  • Lightening

Lightening is when your baby settles down lower into your pelvis, getting ready to make his or her arrival. When the baby moves further down, it helps you breathe easier, and an added bonus is if you suffered from heartburn throughout your pregnancy, this may be a temporary relief. However, the increased pressure on the uterus will mean more frequent trips to the bathroom. Lightening might happen right before labor or weeks before; there is no exact time.

  • Passing of the Mucus Plug

The mucus plug is a seal that shuts off the cervix during pregnancy. When the cervix starts widening during the end of the third trimester, the mucus plug may be dislodged. This discharge might be clear or slightly bloody. In many cases, discharge can occur even a week or two before you go into labor.

  • Contractions

Contractions are one of the most common false alarms that women experience when in the later stages of pregnancy. False contractions are usually known as Braxton Hicks. They tend to cause the abdomen to tighten up and relax but don’t continue on at regular intervals. These contractions are quite different from actual labor contractions, which come in more regular intervals.

Signs of Actual Labor

The best way to tell whether you are in actual labor is to time your contractions. Keep in mind they usually start slowly and build over time. Time from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next – this is how often they are happening (frequency). The length from the beginning to the end of a single contraction (duration) is important, too. If you call your healthcare provider, he or she will want to know both the duration and the frequency of the contractions, as well as how intense they feel to you. Once your contractions are coming every 4-5 minutes and they have been that way for about an hour, it may be go-time.

The other sign that labor has started is the rupture of your membranes, sometimes referred to as your bag of waters breaking. If you think your waters have broken, note the time, amount, color and odor (remember the word TACO), and notify your healthcare provider. Most of the time, contractions start soon after your water breaks; but, for some women, it could take as much as 12-24 hours.

In the end, those few extra trips to the hospital won’t hurt. When it’s time for labor and you see your precious baby, everything will be worth it.

If you have any fun labor stories to share, or can share some tricks to know what is a false alarm, let us know!

Written by Manal, first time mom and writer

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice.  All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2017. All rights reserved.