Labor and Birth Articles

Some women who have delivered previous babies by c-section would like to have their next baby vaginally. This is called vaginal delivery after c-section or VBAC. Women give many reasons for wanting a VBAC. Some want to avoid the risks and long recovery of surgery.

A growing number of women are asking their doctors for c-sections when there is no medical reason. Some women want a c-section because they fear the pain of childbirth. Others like the convenience of being able to decide when and how to deliver their baby.

Most c-sections are unplanned. So, learning about c-sections is important for all women who are pregnant. Whether a c-section is planned or comes up during labor, it can be a positive birth experience for many women.

The doctor will make 2 incisions. The first is about 6 inches long and goes through the skin, fat, and muscle. Most incisions are made side to side and low on the abdomen, called a bikini incision. Next, the doctor will make an incision to open the uterus.

You will be moved to a recovery room and monitored for a few hours. You might feel shaky, nauseated, and very sleepy. Later, you will be brought to a hospital room.

Cesarean delivery, also called c-section, is surgery to deliver a baby. The baby is taken out through the mother's abdomen. Most cesarean births result in healthy babies and mothers.

Your doctor might recommend a c-section if she thinks it is safer for you or your baby than vaginal birth. Some c-sections are planned. But most c-sections are done when unexpected problems happen during delivery.

Sometimes, a doctor or midwife might need to induce (bring about) labor. The decision to induce labor often is made when a woman is past her due date but labor has not yet begun or when there is concern about the baby or mother's health.

While you're in labor, your doctor, midwife, or nurse should ask if you need pain relief. It is her job to help you decide what option is best for you. Nowadays women in labor have many pain relief options that work well and pose small risks when given by a trained and experienced doctor.

Many natural methods help women to relax and make pain more manageable. Things women do to ease the pain include: trying breathing and relaxation techniques, taking warm showers or baths.

In waterbirthing, a woman remains in the water for delivery. The American Academy of Pediatrics has expressed concerns about delivering in water because of a lack of studies showing its safety and because of the rare but reported chance of complications.

Labor occurs in three stages. When regular contractions begin, the baby moves down into the pelvis as the cervix both effaces (thins) and dilates (opens).

The first stage begins with the onset of labor and ends when the cervix is fully opened. It is the longest stage of labor, usually lasting about 12 to 19 hours. Many women spend the early part of this first stage at home.

The second stage involves pushing and delivery of your baby. It usually lasts 20 minutes to two hours. You will push hard during contractions, and rest between contractions. Pushing is hard work, and a support person can really help keep you focused.

The third stage involves delivery of the placenta (afterbirth). It is the shortest stage, lasting 5 to 30 minutes. Contractions will begin 5 to 30 minutes after birth, signaling that it's time to deliver the placenta.

Virtually all women worry about how they will cope with the pain of labor and delivery. Childbirth is different for everyone. So no one can predict how you will feel.

As you approach your due date, you will be looking for any little sign that labor is about to start. You might notice that your baby has "dropped" or moved lower into your pelvis. This is called "lightening." If you have a pelvic exam during your prenatal visit, your doctor might report changes in your cervix that you cannot feel, but that suggest your body is getting ready.

Many women, especially first-time mothers-to-be, think they are in labor when they're not. This is called false labor. "Practice" contractions called Braxton Hicks contractions are common in the last weeks of pregnancy or earlier. The tightening of your uterus might startle you.

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When you have low milk supply, try to breastfeed your baby often and long each time he wants to. You can offer both breasts at each feeding. Let the baby stay with the 1st breast as long as he is sucking and swallowing and then switch to the 2nd breast when he stops.

During the early stage of breastfeeding, you will feel that your breasts larger, heavier, and tender. And this feeling is normal. However, if your breasts become very hard and feel painful, you might have developed engorgement.

Naming your baby - the thoughts and ideas. How to name a baby.

The day has arrived, quicker than you could ever imagine, your baby’s first birthday! You want to make this first celebration of life fun, significant and memorable for both your little one and your guests, but how? We suspect you still find it challenging to shower and dress by noon, let alone plan an elaborate complicated party.

One of the most important decisions that new parents have to make is naming their new baby. For some people the decision is easy because they have had a name picked out for many years.

Hindu baby names are based on the various facets of art and culture of India, including its colorful celebrations, music, dance and the rich, ancient cultural heritage. Birth of a Hindu child is a religious activity and naming him/her is associated with rituals, feasting and social gathering.

When you first find out you are pregnant one of the first things that comes to mind is naming your baby. In the past you may have considered going to library to research various names, or perhaps purchase a baby name book.

There are still the traditional ways of selecting your baby's name. The first, of course, is using a name that has been in the family for years - perhaps the name of an aunt or uncle, or a grandparent.

Some women who have delivered previous babies by c-section would like to have their next baby vaginally. This is called vaginal delivery after c-section or VBAC. Women give many reasons for wanting a VBAC. Some want to avoid the risks and long recovery of surgery.

A growing number of women are asking their doctors for c-sections when there is no medical reason. Some women want a c-section because they fear the pain of childbirth. Others like the convenience of being able to decide when and how to deliver their baby.

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In waterbirthing, a woman remains in the water for delivery. The American Academy of Pediatrics has expressed concerns about delivering in water because of a lack of studies showing its safety and because of the rare but reported chance of complications.

Breastfeed early and often. Breastfeed as soon as possible after birth, within the first hour of life. If you had a vaginal birth you can hold your baby and breastfeed right away.

EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention) programs are located in states and territories and are designed to identify infants with hearing loss. Infants identified with hearing loss can then be enrolled in an early intervention program.

How it feels is more important than how it looks. The latch feels comfortable to you, without hurting or pinching. Your baby's chest is against your body and he or she does not have to turn his or her head while drinking.

Health professionals agree that human milk provides the most complete form of nutrition for infants, including premature and sick newborns. But, there are rare exceptions when human milk is not recommended.

Breast milk has disease-fighting cells called antibodies that help protect infants from germs, illness, and even SIDS. Infant formula cannot match the exact chemical makeup of human milk, especially the cells, hormones, and antibodies that fight disease.

There are still the traditional ways of selecting your baby's name. The first, of course, is using a name that has been in the family for years - perhaps the name of an aunt or uncle, or a grandparent.

Most c-sections are unplanned. So, learning about c-sections is important for all women who are pregnant. Whether a c-section is planned or comes up during labor, it can be a positive birth experience for many women.

If you smoke tobacco, it is best for you and your baby if you try to quit as soon as possible. If you can't quit though, it is still better to breastfeed since your baby is at higher risk of having respiratory problems and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Labor occurs in three stages. When regular contractions begin, the baby moves down into the pelvis as the cervix both effaces (thins) and dilates (opens).

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