Whether you’re a newbie mom or giving birth to your third child, you can ward off labor jitters by knowing what to expect. Arm yourself with knowledge, know who to ask, and find health experts you can trust.
Here are some issues most moms-to-be are usually anxious about, and here’s how you can address those fears.
How will I know it’s time to give birth?
Even if you know your due date, given by your OB Gynecologist and backed by details from your ultrasound, it would still be hard to predict the day of your baby’s birth, unless it’s a scheduled Ceasarian operation. So to help you know if it’s D-day, remember this acronym: CBF.
The onset of labor involves any, not necessarily all, of the following: C for contractions (usually painful and increasingly unbearable); B for bleeding or “bloody show,” which could mean the detachment of the cervical mucus plug; and F for fluid (water-like) from the vagina which signals the breaking of amniotic sac, which protected your baby in your womb. If you spot any of these, immediately go to the hospital. Don’t forget the baby bag!
In some cases these three are absent but you’re nearing 42 weeks, contact your doctor ASAP.
Will I be able to handle the pain of giving birth?
Think of it this way: when you’re in active labor, painful contractions will still have intervals so you’ll have time to rest. Expect pain to increase with every cervical dilatation, which is measured by centimeter (10 centimeters at time of birth).
There is help for the pain, though. Epidural, a pain reliever commonly used during childbirth, will help you bear the pain but you will still feel uncomfortable—and for good reason! You need the pain of labor to encourage you to flex those vaginal muscles to push the baby out during a normal delivery.
In cases of Ceasarian births, the OB Gyn will use either spinal or epidural anaesthesia. According to World Health Organization (WHO) both of these safely provide effective pain relief. The risk of hypotension (low blood pressure), however, increases with spinal anaesthesia.
I want to follow a birthing plan!
Whether you want a normal delivery (Lamaze, water birth), or Caesarian, your baby’s safety should always be the top consideration.
While you had 9 months to plan for the big day, your OB Gyn will still know what’s best for you so it’s important to establish trust during your pre-natal check-ups. And in case a different OB Gyn will attend to you when you give birth, make sure that your companions can tell the new doctor about your medical history. Your pre-natal book will also come in handy.
Remember that even in the delivery room, emergency measures—for example, an emergency C-section—may have to take place. A Caesarean section, says WHO, will only be a necessity when “vaginal delivery might pose a risk to the mother or baby – for example due to prolonged labor, fetal distress, or because the baby is presenting in an abnormal position.”
How long will it take for my body to recover?
Giving birth is no ordinary feat, and it’s called ‘labor’ for a reason. With nature and science on your side, recovery should be easy but not rushed. According to a suggestion by WHO, all mothers and newborns need at least four postnatal checkups in the first 6 weeks, as this phase is a “dangerous time for both mother and newborn.”
For the first 24 hours after birth, health experts must monitor your vaginal bleeding, uterine contraction, fundal height, temperature and heart rate (pulse). Beyond 24 hours, you must be observed for the following: urination and urinary incontinence, bowel function, healing of any perineal wound, headache, fatigue, back pain, perineal pain and perineal hygiene, breast pain, uterine tenderness and lochia. On top of these, you should initiate breastfeeding, for your and your baby’s well-being.
A Caesarian delivery may mean a longer recovery period but recent studies suggest that women post-partum must strive to move as normal as possible to speed up recovery. Breastfeeding will also help; it releases the milk-inducing hormone oxytocin, which makes the uterus contract, reducing post-partum blood loss.
Apart from physical recovery, you must also be given support for your emotional health. Post-partum depression affects 19.8 percent of women after child birth. In extreme cases, they die by suicide.
“All women and their families/partners should be encouraged to tell their health care professional about any changes in mood, emotional state and behavior that are outside of the woman’s normal pattern,” WHO suggests.
Giving birth is just one of the many unforgettable moments you will experience as a mom. It may be difficult, painful, and risky, but all so worth it.
This article does not provide medical advice, it is intended for informational purposes only. The article is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.
