If you\’re approaching your due date, I\’m sure worries about inductions, forceps, and cesareans are starting to weigh on you. So, let’s find out together.
1. The amniotic fluid breaks before delivery, which is the first sign of delivery.
Most women\’s water breaks during the first stage of labor, when the cervix is almost fully dilated. However, premature water breaking is also the first sign that labor is imminent in about 15% of women. It may come out a lot at once or just a little, so even if you\’re not sure if your water broke, it\’s best to call your doctor or get tested right away.
If your water breaks prematurely and you have no other symptoms or problems, your doctor will usually recommend waiting 48 hours. Giving birth within 48 hours of your water breaking can reduce the risk of infection because once your water breaks, the protective barrier between your fetus and vaginal bacteria is gone. You can\’t wait too long.
Don\’t worry, most women will choose to wait after their water breaks, and natural contractions will usually begin within 48 hours. However, some expectant mothers have their water break prematurely and need artificial help. If there are no signs of labor within 48 hours, labor will need to be induced.
There are many ways to induce labor. Some hospitals will insert a gel or suppository containing prostaglandin-like gel or suppository into the mother\’s vagina to induce labor. It can promote cervical ripening and stimulate uterine contraction. Your doctor may also be able to induce contractions by injecting synthetic oxytocin.
2. Adjusting the fetal position before delivery is beneficial to delivery. The ideal position for the fetus during delivery is \”cephalic position\” – head down, with its back to itself. If the baby\’s chin is hidden in your arms, it is more conducive to a smooth delivery than if the baby\’s head is straight. In the last few weeks of pregnancy, doctors can determine the position of the fetus by feeling the mother\’s belly. If the fetus is in breech position, that is, the buttocks are facing down, the doctor will teach you a set of gymnastics to adjust the fetal position. The success rate of this method is about 60%, but if the fetal position has not been adjusted by the time of delivery, a cesarean section may be required.
3. Prenatal uterine opening, the first stage of delivery
The first stage of labor, that is, the cervix is very slow before it opens three fingers, but it is not as simple as simply opening. The cervix becomes thinner as it opens, from thick to thin, as thin as paper. If you\’re in the first stages of labor and your waters haven\’t broken yet, your doctor will usually recommend waiting. This may weaken your will, but surgery may ultimately be needed if your doctor intervenes.
However, if the expectant mother has entered the second stage of labor (cervical opening is more than 3 fingers) and the speed of uterine opening is not stable enough (normally it should be 1 finger per hour), the doctor will first understand why the cervix is not opening. Is it because the fetal position is incorrect, the uterine contractions are not strong enough, or the expectant mother’s posture is incorrect? Sometimes doctors give oxytocin to speed up labor.
4. Prenatal physical and mental relaxation can reduce uterine contraction pain. Most expectant mothers worry about this issue. shrinkThe pain and fatigue can be unbearable. You can find something to help you relax or fall asleep. There are many ways, but the important thing is that your surroundings make you feel comfortable. Also, just don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If you feel pain, say it out loud and allow your body and mind to relax as much as possible. As pressure decreases, so does sensitivity to pain.
5. Prenatal monitoring to know whether the fetus is abnormal
During delivery, doctors will regularly monitor the fetal heartbeat. If the heart rate drops, the doctor will connect an ultrasound Doppler fetal monitor for continuous monitoring to record the speed of the fetal heartbeat and the intensity of uterine contractions. Signs of an abnormal fetal condition also include decreased movement or the presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid.
Many things can cause fetal discomfort, such as the heat of hot water and paracetamol, or fetal hypoxia, although hypoxia may simply be temporary discomfort caused by the fetus temporarily resting on the umbilical cord. But if the delivery process is too fast, it will cause discomfort to the fetus.
Although fetal discomfort does not usually lead to an emergency cesarean section, doctors need to understand its causes. If the cervix has been dilated to 4-5 fingers, the doctor will draw blood from the fetus\’ head for testing. Don\’t worry, this test will not cause discomfort to the fetus.
If the doctor is worried that the fetus is in danger, he or she needs to use tools to deliver the baby immediately, or perform a cesarean section to remove the fetus.
6. Emotional stability before delivery helps smooth delivery
By the time it\’s time to express your baby\’s milk, you may be very hungry, frustrated, and exhausted. Don\’t worry, doctors and midwives will be able to help you on a case-by-case basis.
Pregnant mothers need to pay attention to not crying, actively cooperate with the doctor, let them exert force when they need to, and take time to rest when they cannot. Pay attention to the adjustment of breathing pattern.
Most expectant mothers make it to the end. If you really don’t have the strength, the doctor will also consider using a negative pressure suction device to assist in delivery or caesarean section.
It is best for expectant mothers to make a delivery plan in advance and fully communicate with their partners. In this way, when a problem or difficulty arises, if you cannot express it and the doctor asks about the family\’s wishes, you can ask your partner to tell the doctor your thoughts.
Under normal circumstances, doctors will not force mothers to do what they want. Therefore, you can tell the doctor your thoughts and listen to the doctor\’s advice. After all, this is a professional opinion before making a decision.