Birthing Classes: Preparing for Labor and Birth - Part II
Chapter 5: Banishing Labor Myths
1. Myth: "It will be the worst pain i've ever felt!"
2. Fact: Maybe - or maybe not! Be prepared for anything.
B. Myth #2 - Coping with pain
1. Myth: "Medication is the only way to ease labor pain."
2. Fact: Medication is the easiest way to dramatically reduce pain, but natural techniques help too.
C. Myth #3 - Pain medication
1. Myth: "There's no downside to using pain drugs."
2. Fact: Pain drugs are safe, but they can have side effects for you, your labor and your baby.
D. Myth #4 - Laboring in bed
1. Myth: "The best way to labor is lying in bed."
2. Fact: Laboring in bed isn't your only option. Staying upright and moving around can help labor along. In some cases, you'll need to stay in bed.
E. Myth #5 - Eating and drinking
1. Myth: "I shouldn't eat or drink during labor."
2. Fact: Drinking clear liquids is fine. Eating in early labor is okay, but talk to your caregiver about eating in active labor.
1. Myth: "I shouldn't soak in a tub after my water breaks."
2. Fact: It's safe to soak in a tub during the first stage of labor. Make sure you don't overheat or slip.
G. Myth #7 - Doctors and nurses
1. Myth: "My primary caregiver will coach me through labor."
2. Fact: Some caregivers will, some won't. It's wise to have your own support person: a loved one, a midwife or doula.
Chapter 6: Where to Labor and With Whom
A. Where can I deliver my baby?
a. Equipped to handle everything.
b. Most options for pain management, including epidurals.
c. Less personalized care.
d. More routine interventions.
a. An option for low risk pregnancies.
c. Minimal interventions.
e. Personal attention and support for drug-free birth, if you want one.
f. Doctor and hospital available in case of complications.
a. An option for low risk pregnancies.
b. Safe with a skilled caregiver.
c. Need backup plan for getting to hospital.
e. Greatest control over your experience.
a. Most U.S. births are attended by a doctor: an obstetrician or family physician.
b. High risk pregnancies usually require an obstetrician.
c. Doctors most available type of caregiver in a hospital.
d. Covered by health insurance.
e. May be busy, not with you until you're pushing.
a. More personal and holistic approach.
b. Can spend more time with you.
c. Focus on providing you emotional support.
d. Good coach if you want to avoid pain medication.
f. If your pregnancy is low risk, just as likely to have an excellent outcome with a midwife as a doctor.
a. Serves as a labor coach.
b. Provides personalized, one-on-one attention and support.
d. Can be main coach or work with your partner.
f. Can assist in hospital, at birth center or at home.
g. Doulas shown to improve labor experience.
a. Continuous support can help you feel more satisfied with your birth experience.
b. Think about whether a loved one can be there for you.
c. If you don't have support, ask about volunteers at the hospital.
d. Consider who you DON'T want in the room.
Chapter 7: Pain management
1. Contractions are intermittent.
2. Take them one at a time.
3. The most intense contractions last 60 - 90 seconds.
4. Relax between each one.
B. Little things can help
1. Create an environment that helps you through labor.
2. Think about the details you'd like to set the stage.
3. Setting things up to your taste can help you feel more in control and positive.
a. One type: slow, deep breaths.
2. May help distract you.
3. You can do them alone or with your partner.
4. Sends more oxygen to your baby and uterus.
b. Another type: patterned breathing
1. Your caregiver can help you try it.
a. You may feel the urge to move.
c. Can get your baby in a good position.
d. Movements and positions to try:
1. Walk, stand, sway, lean, kneel, rock, lie on your side or straddle.
e. Some can be tried near or in bed.
f. Certain positions can also help when pushing.
g. Your supports can suggest options during labor, or you might intuitively find what works for you.
h. Practice during pregnancy.
a. Physical touch can comfort.
b. Strong, sustained pressure against lower back or hips can lessen pain.
c. Massage on your face or head with all over relaxation.
c. Can work like a massage, ease pressure and relax muscles
e. Water shouldn't be too hot.
f. Tub is safe in first stage of labor, even after your water breaks.
5. Alternative techniques
D. Limits on natural pain relief
1. With an epidural or certain interventions, you may not be free to move around or get in water.
2. Will help you cope with pain, but won't eliminate it.
1. Systematic pain medication
b. Affects your whole body.
c. Usually delivered through IV or injection.
d. Doesn't require an anesthesiologist.
e. Many birth centers can offer it.
f. Commonly used is the U.S.:
g. Can make you sleepy or dizzy.
i. May have to stay in bed at first.
j. Unlike epidural, doesn't make other medical interventions more likely later or interfere with ability to push.
k. Many women start with these then use an epidural later.
l. 1 - 5 women who use drugs during labor use systematic narcotics.
a. Most common form of pain relief during labor.
b. Delivers continuous pain medication throughout labor.
c. Blocks pain in lower body.
d. How it works: numb your back, insert tiny tube and delivers medication through the tube.
1. Effective, long-lasting relief.
5. Little medicine reaches baby.
1. Lose sensation and strength in legs.
2. May need to stay in bed.
3. Will need IV and monitoring.
4. Can make pushing stage longer, make pushing more difficult and lead to assisted delivery.
5. May feel spotty pain relief and itchiness.
6. Rarely, leads to bad headache.
a. Blocks pain in lower body.
b. Takes effect within a few minutes.
c. Lasts only a few hours.
d. Easier to administer than epidural.
e. Good option if you're short on time.
f. Recommend if you're having a planned c-section.
g. Will need IV and continuous monitoring.
i. Can make pushing more difficult and lead to other interventions.
4. Combined epidural/spinal block
a. Blocks pain in lower body.
b. Swift relief of a spinal.
c. Long-lasting relief of an epidural.
d. Has drawbacks of both spinals and epidurals.
e. Not done at all hospitals, check with yours.
