Labor and delivery is both an exciting and scary time for expecting mothers. Therefore, knowing what to expect can give you the knowledge you will need to prepare for this special time.
Cervical Dilation and Effacement
The cervical plug that developed at the beginning of pregnancy will fall out at the end of the third trimester. The cervix will then start preparing for birth, and this is known as cervical dilation and effacement.
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Are Immunizations Started in the Hospital?
If mom and dad have agreed to have baby immunized, the vaccination process will be started in the hospital, but with only one vaccine. The only vaccine currently given at birth is Hepatitis B.
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Braxton Hicks Contractions And False Labor
Braxton Hicks contractions aka false labor pains are the body's way of preparing for birth. For new moms and seasoned mothers-to-be alike, it can be difficult to know if labor is beginning or not.
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Labor Contractions
Labor contractions are the body's way of saying, 'Let's get ready tohave a baby!' and are caused by hormones in the body. Labor contractions come in three forms: false, practice and activelabor.
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When Should I Head To The Hospital?
The first stage, when mom starts feeling real labor pains, can last
between 10 and 14 hours. Once through this first stage, it is time for
mom to head off to the hospital.
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Does Sex During Pregnancy Cause Labor?
Sex is often one of the first tactics pregnant moms will use to bring about the start of birth.
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Where is My Baby? Post Labor Questions
After labor is over and the umbilical cord is cut, your baby is taken to a warmer in the delivery room. The initial Apgar score is given, baby is given a bracelet that matches yours and prints are made for security.
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Can My Partner Attend My Delivery?
If you simply want your partner in the delivery room you can address her
as your birth coach and no one will ask another question.
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Should I Have Advanced Directives (Living Will) in Place?
Advanced directives are legally binding documents that outline how you want to be cared for and who should make choices about your care should a medical emergency arise and you cannot make health care choices for yourself.
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Labor Support: What to Bring to the Birth
The labor support person or team is elected to be the main caregiver, outside of doctors and nurses. The support role is important during the entire birthing process.
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Grandparents and the Delivery Room: Yes or No?
You may love your grandma and grandpa with all your heart, but are they
the perfect people to have in the delivery room? Before making the final
decision, ask these five simple questions.
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Hospital Security Policies: What You Need to Know
You can be certain that all hospitals will have a different set of rules
and methods in place to ensure optimal security, but here are a few
policies common across the board.
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Baby: The First Hours After Birth
You've made it through labor and met your baby for the first time - now what happens? Baby will be taken to the weighing station where mucus and fluid is sucked from the mouth and the initial Apgar score is noted.
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Alternative Pain Management During Labor
You've set your mind to having a pain medication-free labor, but that doesn't mean you have to approach labor without any pain management techniques in mind.
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Is My Baby Allowed in the Room for My Entire Hospital Stay?
Barring any complications
during labor and delivery, infants are allowed and encouraged to stay
in the room with mom during the entire hospital stay. Having baby nearby
is crucial to early bonding and breastfeeding, if applicable.
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What Classes Can Prepare Me for Labor?
Labor classes like Lamaze are available for women who want to ease labor pain and learn techniques for self control and self awareness during the birthing process. Other birthing classes include the Bradley method, Leboyer method and breastfeeding classes.
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Are Partners Allowed to Stay the Night in the Hospital?
Hospital rules regarding partners, coaches or spouses staying the night
of the birth vary by hospital. Some hospitals encourage partner support.
Staff will setup a bed and even bring meals to your partner as a guest.
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Benefits of Having Family in the Delivery Room
Family is all about support and love and there is no better time to
have tons of both than the time you spend in the delivery room. Discuss
your feelings about immediate and extended family being part of the
delivery with your partner early in the pregnancy.
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Changing the Birth Plan After Labor Starts
A birth plan can help guide the birthing process with basic instructions, wishes and expectations outlined for labor coaches, nurses and doctors.
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Can I Use My Own Linens on the Bed?
There are few hospitals that refuse women the right to change the bed linens to a personal set during labor. However, the bed linens should fit the hospital bed snugly for safety reasons.
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How To Deal With Delivery Room Guests
Guests in the delivery room are a topic couples should discuss well
before labor begins. How many people do you want around during labor? Is
there a difference for you between labor guests and guests who you want
to experience the active pushing phase?
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Can Children Spend the Night in the Hospital?
The definition of the term children is important when answering this question. If your children are older and can take care of themselves (teens and older) the hospital may allow children to stay overnight in place of your partner.
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Should Your Mom Be in the Delivery Room?
Before labor begins, you may have to deal with the idea that someone
other than you and your partner want to attend the birth. Should your
mom be in the delivery room or should this event be kept between you and
your partner? Here are a few things to consider.
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How Many People are Allowed in the Delivery Room?
The number of people allowed in the delivery room will vary by hospital.
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Will I Know When My Water Breaks?
Chances are you will know when your water breaks because it will happen in the hospital. Some estimates claim that around 75% of women don't have the Hollywood experience of their water breaking in the middle of dinner with close friends.
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Do Hospitals Allow Alternative Birthing Choices?
Yes, some hospitals offer alternative birthing choices like water, chair, and squatting births. Other hospitals require women to lay down in a bed and push in a more traditional method.
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Doctors Group OKs Warm Water Soak During Labor, Not Delivery
A warm water soak in the early stages of labor are likely to prove beneficial to the mother but they find no evidence that giving birth underwater benefits either mother or baby.
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What Happens When Dad Doesn't Want to Attend the Delivery?
Not all men are created equal and not all men should be there when the baby is born. There are some very real reasons why a man would want to skip his baby's delivery but there are also some fake fears, if you will, born in the imagination thanks to Hollywood.
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Labor and Delivery: Natural Delivery
Natural birthing techniques are non-invasive procedures that help
women accept pain while in labor.
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Childbirth: Hypnobirthing
The majority of women hold some sort of fear about the birthing process. That fear can lead to stress and stress leads to tension. Hypnobirthing may help relieve some of the stress and tension.
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Can My Labor be Photographed or Filmed?
Filming or photographing the birth of your child is an extremely personal choice, but not all hospitals, birthing centers or obstetricians allow YOU to make that choice.
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Your Dad in the Delivery Room - What to Consider
However, some dads are excited by the idea of experiencing the birthing experience with their daughters. Before saying yes or no, think about all aspects of the birthing process and how you truly feel about dad being there.
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How Do I Know: True Labor vs False Labor
As the end of your pregnancy approaches, you will notice contractions from time to time. These contractions are often referred to as Braxton Hicks or practice contractions.
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Cervical Changes in Labor
The cervix is the gateway to baby. During pregnancy, a plug covering
the cervix works like a cork holding the umbilical sac and fetus in
place in the uterus. As labor approaches, hormonal changes cause the
plug to release starting the beginning stages of labor.
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Does the Hospital Offer Breastfeeding Classes?
Most hospitals offer breastfeeding classes and consultations at the time
of birth for mothers interested in learning about breastfeeding
methods. Classes are typically held before birth, but a lactation
consultant may be available to talk with you after birth.
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Choosing the Best Labor Coach
All 40 weeks of pregnancy boils down to one moment ' labor. A laborcoach is someone who's there to keep mom on track, get dad's head out of the clouds and even help keep family members informed and appeasedduring the birthing process.
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Is it Okay to Have Siblings in the Delivery Room?
If you're talking about your brother and sister or your partner's brother and sister, discuss relationships and personal space and make that decision as a couple.
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Why Duchess Meghan May Prefer Pregnancy Care in the U.K.
The world was elated last week when news broke that Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry are expecting their firstborn this spring. While the world is enthralled with Meghan’s pregnancy, the American born Duchess may just prefer the state of labor and delivery in the U.K. over her native U.S. Here's why!
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How Do You Know You Are In Labor - Early Labor Symptoms and Signs
As the pregnancy comes to an end, there are early labor symptoms and signs that mom will need to look for in order to recognize the beginning of labor.
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The Bishop Score - Assessing Success of Induction
Doing the 'Bishop score' will help determine your chances of having a vaginal delivery.
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Umbilical Cord Around The Baby's Neck
It's usually not until the delivery of a healthy baby that the diagnosis of an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's neck is made; most of the time nobody knew about it before the delivery.
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Can An Orgasm Induce Labor?
The topic of orgasm during pregnancy is actually quite controversial and in the past, it was thought that orgasms could trigger preterm labor.
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Interventions on Labor & Delivery
Most of the time labor and delivery goes smoothly, but sometimes interventions are necessary to ensure the safety of mother and baby.
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Labor And Delivery: Calculators, Timers, And Tools
The Big Day
The nine long months of pregnancy all come down to one momentous event: the day you go into labor! You will soon meet that little bundle you have been growing and protecting all this time, and while it is so incredibly exciting, the thought of labor can also be a little intimidating.
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Vaginal Delivery and Birth
A vaginal birth remains the number one method for baby delivery, though in many countries cesarean section rates are approaching or even exceeding 50% of deliveries.
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Premature Labor - Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of premature labor
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Premature Labor - Risk Factors
The following are risk factors for increased risk of premature labor and premature births.
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Does Sex Bring On Labor?
It's unlikely that sex is is going to cause you to go into labor. But many doctors tell their pregnant patients to go ahead anyway when they are past their due date. It's worth trying.
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Brachial Plexus Injury Shoulder Dystocia Erb's Palsy
A brachial plexus injury is caused by damage to the brachial plexus nerves. Symptoms may include a limp or paralyzed arm; lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist; and a lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand.
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Shoulder Dystocia
Shoulder dystocia is an emergency situation during a delivery that occurs when the baby's head has been successfully delivered, but the shoulders appear to be stuck.
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