Do's and Don'ts

Labor - the Final Delivery

There are different pushing techniques your childbirth educator may have reviewed with you. Each works differently in helping bring your babyÕs head into the birth canal.

An upright position supports normal gravity to improve your pushing efforts. Other positions that help maximize your pushing efforts include squatting, lying "curved" on your side, or in a semi-upright position. Your legs may be placed in foot rests, stirrups or you may choose to have someone hold your legs in a position that supports pushing. If you have an epidural and are unable to support your legs, supports for your legs (in the calf area) may be used.

If you have a history of arthritis or joint pain, talk to your clinician about which positions may work best for you.

I want to try the following pushing technique(s):
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Seeing Your Delivery

Many women want to see their miracle of birth! A mirror may be used so that you can see your baby pass through the birth canal. If you are interested in using a mirror, check with your hospital to see if they have them available or if you need to bring one to the hospital.

Another option may be to photograph or videotape your delivery. Your hospital may have certain policies regarding photos and videotaping during delivery. Check with your clinician or the hospital staff about the hospital's policy.

My hospital's policy is:
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If okay, I want this person to do the photographing or videotaping:
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Delivering Your Baby

If the baby's head is too big for the vaginal opening, it may naturally tear the tissue surrounding it. Your clinician may alternatively perform an episiotomy, which is an incision to widen the vaginal opening.

Both a natural tear and an episiotomy have pros and cons. Ways to help avoid a tear are applying warm soaks to the perineum (the area between your rectum and vagina) and gentle massage at the vaginal opening to help stretch and relax the perineal tissue. Perineal massage may be initiated prior to labor and during the pushing stage of labor.

Ask your clinician if perineal massage is right for you. Be sure to also discuss any preferences you may have for procedures during delivery.

Forceps and Vacuum Delivery

Forceps and vacuum are tools used to help the baby's head come through and out of the birth canal. They may be applied to the baby's head during pushing and may be necessary with prolonged pushing or if a quick delivery is required. They may cause the baby's head to look slightly misshaped following birth (this will go quickly away as the baby's head forms). It is not unusual to see slight bruising on the face or head from forceps or vacuum delivery.

Cesarean-Section (C-Section)

A Cesarean-section is a surgical incision made through the abdominal wall and uterus to deliver a baby. Surgical births are performed most commonly for breech positions (bottom first) or sideways lying fetus, maternal or fetal complications requiring rapid delivery, and failure of labor to progress.

If you have an unplanned or planned cesarean section, your support person may remain with you unless you have general anesthesia.

You may have the opportunity to bond with your baby in the operating and recovery rooms. Be sure to talk with your clinician about any concerns you have about cesarean-sections.

I have these questions/concerns about cesarean-sections:
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