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Third Trimester - Planning for Your Delivery
Birthing Plan
You may control some parts of your delivery if you learn about your options and plan ahead. Consider these things:
- Do you want a "natural" childbirth or do you want medication to ease the pain?
- Do you want an epidural?
- Do you want to walk around during labor?
- Would you like to squat during delivery?
- Or lie in the bed? Be in a tub of water?
- Do you want to have an episiotomy?
- Do you plan to beastfeed?
- Do you want your partner to be first to hold your baby? Or would you like to?
- Would you like your partner to cut the cord?
- Do you want to have the baby "room-in" with you, or stay in the nursery and be brought to you for feeding?
There are no right answers to these questions. Talk about theses choices with your doctor/midwife. Write down what you decide. Don't be afraid to change your mind as your due date approaches.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
© 1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy Cesarean Delivery
Why Do Some Women Need A C-Section?
Most babies are born through the vagina. Birth through a cut in your belly is called a C-Section. Your doctor or midwife may decide that you cannot deliver your baby vaginally for several reasons such as:
- The baby is too big
- The baby's heartbeat is slowng down
- You are bleeding
- You have active herpes or other diseases that could infect the baby
- The baby is breech or in another unsafe position
What Happens During A C-Section?
You may be put to sleep during the delivery or you may be awake but numb from an epidural. Either way, you will have a needle in your arm and a small tube in your bladder during surgery. A cut will be made below your belly button so the scar won't be so easily seen.
Can I deliver Vaginally After A C-Section?
Even if you have a cesarean birth before, you may deliver vaginally this time. Vaginal delivery is less risky and you will recover quicker. Your doctor will help you decide if vaginal birth is safe for you.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy Options for Managing Pain
There are several ways to help you relax during labor.
- Sit or lie on your side with your eyes closed. Relax all your muscles, starting with those in your feet and work upward slowly through your legs, chest, neck and face. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply through your nose. As you breathe out, repeat the word "peace" (or any other smple word) to yourself. continue the deep breathing through your contractions.
- Have your partner or friend gently massage your shoulders and back between contractions.
- Imagine being in your favorite place - at a lake, the mountains or a garden. think of each contraction as a wave or waterfall.
- Arrange in advance for an epidural to numb your lower body and reduce pain during labor.
- Ask your doctor to give you medication to relieve the pain.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Helping Other Children Prepare for the New Baby
- Talk to your children about what they were like when they were babies. Explain that the baby will need care just like they did when they were born.
- Let older children help plan for this new baby.
- When you bring your baby home, ask someone else to carry the baby so your arms will be open to greet your children.
- Wrap a small toy or gift to give to your older child.
- Expect older children to go back to some babyish behavior.
- Older children can help by bringing diapers or toys or helping to care for the baby.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Am I in Labor?
False Labor
- Contractions are usually irregular.
- Contractions are short and don't get longer.
- Contractions are usually not very painful.
- Contractions may stop if you get up and walk or lie down.
- Cervix does not thin or open (dilate).
True Labor
- Contractions are usually regular .
- Contractions become stronger and last longer over time.
- Contractions become more powerful.
- Contractions become stronger if you walk and they do not go away if you lay down.
- Cervix thins or opens (dilates).
Frequency of contractions are timed from the begining of one to the begining of the next one. If a contraction begins at 12:00, another begins at 12:05, and another begins at 12:10, contractions are five minutes apart. The duration of the contraction is how long it lasts.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy When to Go to the Hospital
- If this is your first baby, go to the hospital when your contractions are about five minutes apart, last 40 seconds or more, and are regular for one hour. If you have had a baby before, go when the contractions are about 7 to 8 minutes apart.
- If your bag of water breaks.
- If you have any bleeding from the vagina.
If you are unsure, call your doctor or midwife.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
Things to Take to the Hospital
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Your birth plan, pregnancy passport, insurance or medicaid card.
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Nightgowns (if you want to wear your own instead of what the hospital provides.) Gowns that open in the front are easier if you plan to breastfeed. Good nightgowns may be ruined with blood stains.
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Nursing or firm bra support.
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Robe and slippers.
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Make-up and toilet articles such as toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and brush.
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A pair of socks (your feet may be cold during labor.)
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Telephone numbers of the people you want to call, including your home visitor.
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Change to pay for snacks and telephone.
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Loose, comfortable clothes to wear home. (Rememeber your figure won't yet be back to your pre-preganancy shape.)
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Baby clothes for trip home.
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Infant car seat.
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Other items that you might want: hard candy to suck on during labor, camera, magazines, or radio.
Don't forget to arrange a ride home!
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
What to Expect When You Go to the Hospital
If you're pre-registered (it's best if you have), hospital admission will be brief; if you're in active labor, your coach or partner can take care of it.
- Once you arrive at the hospital , you will be taken to a birthing room. Your family may be asked to wait outside while you are being admitted.
- A nurse will ask when the contractions started, how far apart they are, whether your bag of water has broken, and when you last ate.
- A nurse will check your urine, pulse, blood pressure, breathing, and tempreature; time your contactions;look for leaking amniotic fluid or bleeding; and hook up a fetal monitor to listen to the baby's heartbeat.
- A needle may be placed in a vein in your arm to give you extra sugar water.
- Your doctor/midwife may speed up labor with drugs or by breaking the bag of water if it is going too slowly.
- Your doctor/midwife may give you pain relievers or an epidural if you want.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
How Your Body Opens Up for Baby
Nature works miracles to help your baby be born! During Childbirth your baby must make the journey from your uterus through the cervix to your vagina. The opening of your vagina will change from being thick and firm, like your nose to being soft and thin like your lips. Contractions are nature's way of helping your cervix to thin (efface) and open (dilate).
Your baby is protected inside the uterus by a bag of waters. When the waters break it helps the baby move down the birth canal. This may happen several hours before labor begins or not until later during labor. Sometimes the doctor/midwife will gently break the bag of waters to speed up your labor.
Durng labor, contractions pull on the cervix to widen it. The doctor/midwife will examine your cervix during labor to check how much progress you have made.
When the cervix opens to 10cm (about 4 inches), it is fully dilated - open enough for the widest part of the baby's head to come through.
Partners for a Healthy Baby: Home Visiting Curriculum for Expectant Families
©1999 Florida State University Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy
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