Things You Need To Know About Childbirth, Cont'd
Babble just published my Top Ten Things You Need To Know About Birth. Have a look if you’re heading in that direction– I hope it’s helpful. It was hard to whittle it all down to ten things. Especially since I can seriously talk all day on the subject (and often do).
My main goal here was to get to some big truths and dispel some common myths. But there were a few other things I might have included were the list to go on… and on. And here they are:
11. You don’t have to lie on your back in labor. In fact, the “supine” (back-lying) position is not as gravity friendly for labor or pushing as leaning forward, squatting or getting on your hands and knees. It’s fine to lie down if you want to, but many women left to their own devices don’t choose this option. Lying down (or at least being less active) does become necessary when medications are introduced as monitoring is required.
12. Episiotomies are should be a thing of the past. Once most women got an episiotomy– a small cut through the skin *and muscle* between the vagina and the anus. This was thought to be “cleaner” than a messy tear. But now we know that most tears don’t go all the way through the muscle. There’s no reason to preemptively cut. But some doctors haven’t caught up with this reality, and don’t adhere to the recommendation from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) that episiotomies not be routinely performed.
13. Eating and drinking in labor is a fine idea. That is, if you’re hungry and thirsty. Some hospitals and birthing centers have changed their guidelines on this issue, but many still require mom only suck on ice-chips during labor. The average length of a first time labor is about 24 hours. And the uterus is a muscle. This means 24 hours of muscular activity. Maybe you’d like some nourishment along the way?
I’m not talking about chicken parm in the hospital bed, but more like a really nice meal in early labor and then some Gatorade or snacks in active labor. Most women don’t really want to eat once the hard contractions come on, but being able to sip water between them or eat if you are in need of an energy boost, is so helpful. A lot of hospital nurses and doctors are happy to let a little small sipping and snacking go unnoticed– some even support it.
14. Good labor support really can help. I kind of covered this in one of my bullet points on the list; but it’s worth emphasizing. Doulas or women who have given birth and who trust birth can be a great help to both the laboring mom and her partner if she has one. Research has shown that birthing with a doula lowers the odds of a c-section, other interventions and can even shorten labor. How about that? (Every woman should have a doula and we shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for them but that’s another story.)
Alright. I’ll end it there for now. I may be back though! Feel free to ask me any questions about this stuff in the comments section so we can continue the dialog. Or throw in your own advice, if you’ve got some–we all do!
Here’s the original post of the top ten “things.”
photo: gregoryrallen/flickr
I thank my lucky stars each day that my mother-in-law is a well respected, experienced doula!
That smells you normally like may make you feel physically ILL to your stomach.
That having a sense of humor can save your sanity
That since you’re in labor, YOU get the remote at the hospital. Not hubby.
Something I think is important to share (and i know everyone is different but anyone i’ve talked to has agreed on this) is that the contractions are actually the hardest part. I was so afraid of the part where the baby actually comes out (the size of a baby and my woman parts just didn’t add up in my book) but by the time I got there, I felt the worst was over. It’s important not to let yourself get psyched out about it. I had an unmedicated birth for the record (not saying it is the only way, just sharing my experience).
Siobhan, I know what you mean. The actual head coming out can seem just too unbearable but it is often easier than the contractions preceding. It’s so different for different women/labors but I think in general, yeah, that piece of information is important b/c it comes as a surprise to some moms.
Also, Plumblucky, the smells can be so dodgy– beware the scented oils! They may be absolutely horrible when in labor. Women in pregnancy can be pretty sensitive to smells anyway– this can continue well through labor and post birth. Anyway, I suggest to women that if they want some nice aromatherapy to use something that is easy to get rid of in a pinch. Oils and heavy scented body products or room sprays can hit a foul note. And then you’re stuck with them. (I mean I guess you could take a shower but you know…)
I had a homebirth and I don’t even remember what the head coming out felt like, but man do I remember the contractions – especially right around transition! But I also remember the complete and utter relief and abrupt end to the pain as soon as he was out . . .