THINGS TO CONSIDER DURING LABOR
Position Changes
Many women will change positions often during labor to improve their comfort. Sometimes, they will walk, change from lying down to sitting up, get on all fours, or switch from side to side while lying down. Try to relax muscles as much as possible.
Breathing Techniques
Take slow, steady breaths through the nose and out the mouth. Save energy for when the pushing begins.
Back Pain
Try changing positions as often as necessary for comfort. Massage the lower back and/or apply warm or cool packs to the lower back.
Eating
Do not eat solid foods. Munch on ice chips to keep your mouth moist. You may need a Cesarean section if complications arise.
Support Person
Early in your pregnancy, consider identifying a person to assist you and stay with you during labor. This person can help with back rubs and emotional support.
What if I need a Cesarean Section?
The doctor will determine the need for a Cesarean section (C-section) based on whether continued labor is a threat to the baby's health, or a threat to the health of both the mother and baby.
Some reasons for C-sections include, but are not limited to:
- Failure of labor to progress in a timely manner.
- Cephalopelvic disproportion-when the baby's head is too big to pass through the mother's pelvis.
- The baby's heartbeat may become too slow.
- The baby may be in a breech presentation.
What happens during delivery of the baby?
A very important consideration for delivery is the position of the baby in terms of the "presenting part." The presenting part refers to the part of the baby located nearest the cervix during the onset of labor.
At term, the vast majority of babies are born head first and the rest of the body follows. The baby's head "engages" or settles deep into the mother's pelvis. So, when she begins pushing during the second stage of labor, the baby is forced down and out through the vaginal canal, head first.
The usual sequence of appearance of body parts during delivery is:
Head
Anterior shoulder (closest to mother's belly)
Posterior shoulder
Body and buttocks
Legs
Sometimes, the presenting part is NOT the baby's head. When this situation occurs, the doctor will determine whether a vaginal delivery is safe for the mother and baby. A Cesarean section may be considered.
Sources for the entire Pregnancy Section:
Scott JR, Di Saia PJ, Hammond CB and Spellacy WN. Danforth's Obstetrics & Gynecology, 8th Edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 1999.
Benson MD. Obstetrical Pearls, 2nd Edition. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company, 2000.
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