Health Tips

Hey mummies! If you’re a first-time mum-to-be, you’re probably wondering what will happen during childbirth. After 9 months of carrying your baby, are you excited to finally meet your little one?

Here are some helpful tips on what to expect.

1. Have a delivery plan, but do not stress about it

This include options like where to deliver (hospital, birth centre), pain management, type of birth, and induction or augmentaion of labour. However, bear in mind that it may not go as planned. What is best for you and your baby at that moment may not be in your birth plan.

Expect the unexpected

2. Pack your bag and baby's stuff beforehand

Whether you are planning to have your baby in the hospital or at a midwifery unit, you may start packing your hospital bag at least 2 weeks before your due date. Make a list on the necessary items (see example below).

Note: 

• Check with the hospital or birthing centre what is needed to bring
• Find out about visitor's waiting hours and waiting rooms

3. Prepare your body

Giving birth is a laborious process (pun intended), so it is important that your body is prepared for it. Exercise during pregnancy can be a great way to de-stress. For example, a short walk each day or even pregnancy yoga class can be helpful.

4. Have a great support around you

A good support will make you experience a positive birth. Your birth companion (spouse, partner, family member or close friend) plays an important role during labour. He/she can:

• Keep you company and help pass the time during early stage of labour
• Hold your hand, wipe your face and give you sips of water
• Massage your back and shoulders and help you to change position
• Comfort you as your labour progress
• Support your decisions, and repeat words of encouragement
• Help to explain to the doctor or midwife what you need and vice versa
• Tell you what is happening as your baby is being born

Let us now proceed to the three stages of labour, and learn some useful tips on how to cope at each stage.

Stage 1

During early labour

• At this stage, your contractions are mild and at irregular intervals, occuring  5 to 30 minutes apart and lasting less than 20 seconds.
• Time your contractions. If they get stronger and occur 10 minutes apart for at least 1 hour, follow your doctor’s instructions on going to the hospital.
• Go to the hospital immediately if your water breaks or you pass out bloody mucus plug (show).
• You may be sent home if you are in early labour. If this happen, you may try resting, walking, showering or change positions.
• Distract yourself with activities, such as reading or watching TV.
• You may eat light snacks and drink clear fluids.

During active labour

• In active phase, your contractions will gradually increase and become more intense and frequent.
• If you are giving birth for the first time, this period can last 12 hours or more. In subsequent births, this period usually last about 8 hours.
• Change positions and use controlled breathing during contractions.
• Practice visualizations (think relaxing thoughts).
• Your birth companion is encouraged to give you a massage and encouragement.
• You may start having lower back, abdominal or thigh pain.
• Fret not, pain is a natural part of labour and every woman has different level of pain tolerance. You may request for epidural (pain blocker applied to the spine), pain medication (pethidine given intramuscularly) or pain-relieving gas (Entonox).
• At this stage, your baby's heart rate will be monitored using an electronic monitoring device (cardiotocograph).

Stage 2

• At this stage, your cervix will dilate fully (10cm) .
• You may feel a strong urge to push or bear down, with pressure in the rectal are almost like you are about to pass motion. In addition, there may also be stinging in the vaginal area as the baby's head moves down the birth canal.
• You should NOT push - Your doctor or midwife will tell you when to push.
• Prepare to get messy; you may vomit, poop, sweat and even cry.
• For first time mummies, an episiotomy (an incision made between the vagina and the rectum to widen the vaginal opening) may be done at this stage.
• You may be asked to push as the rest of the baby's head and body emerge. 
• Finally, with one last strong push, your baby is out in the world!

Stage 3

• Hooray, say hello to your baby! Following this, you will continue to experience mild contractions again as your body is preparing to deliver the placenta
• The placenta is usually delivered in 5 to 30 minutes.
• Once done, all that's left is to see if there is any perineal or vaginal tear. The tear with be stitched. Same goes for episiotomy, it will be repaired with sutures.

Happy labouring and may it be a memorable one!

References:

1. First baby: What to expect | Cedars-Sinai
2. What to take to hospital - checklist | Health Direct Australia
3. Tips for your birth partner | NHS
4. 5 positive ways to prepare for labour | Tommy's

Image credit:

1. https://pixabay.com/photos/bebe-child-pregnant-woman-boy-1910305/
2. https://bit.ly/311nR6k
3. http://media.healthdirect.org.au/images/inline/original/hospital-checklist-650-20fe50.jpg
4. https://www.babycenter.com/ims/2015/12/iStock_65783905_wide.jpg
5. https://mom.girlstalkinsmack.com/image/122011/Partners%20at%20the%20birth_1.jpg
6. https://img.medicalexpo.com/images_me/kwref/kwref-m2/2/1/112.jpg
7. https://pregnant.sg/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2743251993_bd1275df32_o-600x3411.jpg

Written by

Dr Amirah Ekhsan