Pregnancy - A Lifetime Beautiful Journey - A Way to Labor Room

Hello All,
So, all set for the D-day!!!

This is it, the first question comes to mind - "How will I know I am in labour"? Surely you will know, Almighty made us like that!

In the week or so before labour you may notice the following:
- An increase in vaginal discharge
- The appearance of the 'show', the jelly like plug of mucus that seals the cervix during pregnancy
- A need to get things finished and ready - the so-called nesting instinct
Feeling quite emotional; crying for no real reason as your hormones get to you
- A sense that you don't want to be far from home
- An upset stomach with a need to go to the loo often. This is natures way of clearing out your lower bowel before labour begins
- Braxton Hicks contractions that feel like tightenings or period pains.

When you go into labour you may notice:

The 'show' (if it has not come away earlier) Low back pain as the baby settles well down, which may turn into. Regular contractions that could feel like period pains or tightening pains across your bump. The waters breaking, either in a gush or a gradual trickle. In the last 3 to 4 weeks of pregnancy, your stomach might get hard and then get soft at irregular intervals. These irregular contractions are called false labor pains, or Braxton-Hicks contractions.

In true labour contractions occur at intervals and get closer and closer together, get worse when you move around and start in the back and come round to the front.

Hmm!!!Warning Signs -

If any of the following happen, irrespective of pains go to the hospital immediately:

- You have bright red bleeding from the vagina, of any amount
- A large amount of dark, menstrual-type blood.
- You have constant severe pain. Do not wait for a whole hour to check your contractions.
- Your water breaks, even if you are not having any contractions.
- Decreased movements of baby


Stages of labor

First stage: The cervix opens and thins. By the end of the first stage, the cervix has dilated fully to 10 centimeters (cm), or about 4 inches. The cervix needs to open this much for the baby to be able to pass through the birth canal.

Second stage: The baby moves through the birth canal and is born during the second stage of labor. This is when you push the baby down the birth canal. You will be given a lot of help and encouragement for this pushing from the midwives and doctors. It is of great benefit to you if your husband or mother / sister / close family member stays by your side throughout the process of labor and delivery.

Third stage: The placenta passes through the birth canal and is delivered during the third stage of labor. This usually happens within 30 minutes after the birth of the baby.

Yes, the baby is in your hands, Your bundle of joy, a product of 9 months, an outstanding achievement in life, Womenhood turns to Motherhood subsequently Parentinghood!!!

The first few hours after delivery are called postpartum recovery

How are problems in labor identified?
Ensuring that your labor is normal requires skill, experience, and careful monitoring by your doctor. Two important issues to identify in labor are:
Is it progressing normally? Are the contractions of uterus opening the neck of the womb in an adequate manner?

Is the baby able to withstand the stress of labor pains well?
Your vital signs, your uterine contractions, and your baby's heart rate must be checked throughout labor. These checks can be done manually or with an electronic monitor. They help detect problems and take appropriate action.

Someone once said of the pain in labor "I realize why women die in childbirth - it's preferable"

Epidural Analgesia

Some women cope with labour using relaxation techniques, breathing and massage. Many others find that they need something to reduce the pain, as the strength of the contractions increases. Using a TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) machine also helps some women.

If you are struggling to cope, getting very tired but still have a long way to go, you may want to use a stronger form of pain relief.

Pethidine injection can help you relax and distance yourself from the pain. Epidural anaesthesia can give you complete pain relief, which can be a wonderful feeling if you have been getting distressed.

However both Pethidine and epidurals have their disadvantages. You need to discuss this with your obstetrician.