What to Expect In Labor - Childbirth Series

Summary

This video explains what to expect during labor, including how contractions progress, how the cervix dilates, and the importance of support during childbirth. It highlights the role of a birth attendant in monitoring your health and your baby's well-being, offering guidance with respect and care. The video stresses the importance of movement, staying hydrated, and having a trusted companion for support. It also emphasizes your right to privacy and consent during labor. By understanding these steps, labor can be safer, smoother, and less stressful.

Takeaways

• 🤰 Labor starts when contractions come regularly, get stronger, and occur closer together.
• ⏳ The cervix gradually thins and opens until it’s fully open for pushing the baby out, which can take many hours.
• 🩺 Birth attendants monitor the mother’s and baby’s vital signs to ensure labor is progressing safely.
• 🙌 The birth attendant should be kind, respectful, and communicate clearly about each step, ensuring consent for procedures.
• 🔇 Laboring mothers should have privacy and a calm, quiet environment to make the process easier.
• 🤝 Constant support from a trusted person helps the mother relax and manage pain better during labor.
• 🚶‍♀️ Staying upright and moving during labor can help speed up progress, while lying on the back may slow it down.
• 💆‍♀️ Touch and massage, especially on the lower back, can help reduce pain and tension during contractions.
• 🥤 Drinking fluids regularly during labor helps maintain energy and prevent exhaustion.
• 🚽 A full bladder can slow labor, so urinating every few hours is important.

Q & A

What are the main signs that labor has started?

Labor starts when contractions come at regular intervals, becoming longer, stronger, and closer together. The cervix begins to thin and open slowly, eventually preparing for the baby to be pushed out.

How long does labor typically take?

Labor can take many hours, as the cervix gradually thins and opens fully. The length of labor varies from person to person, with some labors being quicker or slower than others.

What is the role of a birth attendant during labor?

The birth attendant monitors the labor, checking the mother’s pulse, blood pressure, temperature, and the baby’s position and heart rate. They also check the frequency and strength of contractions, and perform gentle internal exams to assess the progress of labor.

How should a birth attendant treat a laboring woman?

A birth attendant should treat a laboring woman with kindness, respect, and explain everything in clear, simple language. They should ask for permission before any procedure and respect the woman’s privacy throughout the process.

Why is having a companion during labor important?

Having a trusted companion during labor can help the mother relax, feel supported, and experience less pain. Emotional support from someone who cares can make labor more manageable.

Why is movement encouraged during labor?

Staying upright and moving, such as walking or squatting, helps labor progress faster. It also helps reduce the pain of contractions. Lying on the back may slow labor and increase pain.

How can touch and massage help during labor?

Touch and massage, especially rubbing the lower back or pressing on the base of the spine, can help a laboring woman relax and manage back pain during contractions.

Why is it important to drink fluids during labor?

Labor uses up a lot of energy and water in the body. Drinking fluids, especially water or high-energy drinks like tea or fruit juice, helps prevent exhaustion and keeps the labor progressing smoothly.

What should a woman do if her bladder is full during labor?

A full bladder can slow labor, so it's important to urinate every few hours. If the woman doesn't want to walk, she can urinate into a container near her.

What are the signs that labor is progressing normally?

In a normal labor, contractions will become longer, stronger, and closer together, and the cervix will continue to open. The waters may break, and there may be a strong urge to push when the baby is ready to be born.