Labor is that moment when the pregnancy stage ends and parenting begins; it is when we finally meet the baby and can interact with them directly. Labor is a kind of border zone that divides two key stages for a mother, and if you want, it would also be fair to speak of it as a stage — fleeting, yes, but undeniably fundamental.
Sometimes, women may need some help, since labor does not have a specific difficulty level and can vary in complexity depending on many factors.
Assisted labor
An assisted vaginal delivery is one in which the doctor uses special instruments, usually a vacuum or obstetric forceps, to help the baby exit the birth canal. Its use is usually limited to difficult deliveries. The doctor may recommend using it if you have been pushing for a long time and are exhausted, or if the baby is almost out but the heart rate is not reassuring and the doctor believes it is not advisable for the baby to remain longer in the birth canal. Depending on the instrument used, we can talk about a vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery or a forceps-assisted vaginal delivery. Although it may cause you fear, you should know that an assisted vaginal delivery in experienced hands is safe as long as the baby’s head is low enough in the birth canal and there are no other complications. In any case, if your doctor tries an assisted delivery and cannot safely and timely deliver the baby, a cesarean section will be necessary.
- Vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery: This is when the doctor uses a vacuum device to help the baby come out of the birth canal. The doctor places a flexible and rounded vacuum cup on the baby’s head, which is in the birth canal. The vacuum is connected to an electric suction pump or a small hand pump to generate pressure via a vacuum system, allowing the cup to adhere well to the baby’s head. Then the mother pushes while the doctor helps the baby descend and exit the birth canal. The risks of this technique are not very high. However, babies born with vacuum assistance are more likely to develop a hematoma on the top of the head, although this can happen to any baby. The hematoma usually disappears within a few weeks but can take longer. It is quite rare for the baby to have more serious complications.
- Forceps-assisted vaginal delivery: This is when the doctor uses obstetric forceps to help the baby exit the birth canal. The doctor inserts the forceps into the vagina and places them on either side of the baby’s head. During contractions, the doctor firmly holds the handles and gently helps the baby descend and come out of the birth canal while the mother pushes. The baby may have slight bruising caused by the forceps, but this usually disappears within a few days. Sometimes a blister forms on the scalp where the forceps gripped the baby’s head. These blisters are unpleasant but heal within a few weeks. The risk of the baby having more serious problems is quite low. However, the rise of neonatal care schools and increasing concern for newborn health have caused the use of forceps to decline, with obstetricians preferring cesarean deliveries in most cases to avoid risks. Forceps use is now mostly limited to cases where the baby is already very low, close to the end of labor, and a cesarean cannot be started.
Fear of labor
In general, there is sometimes a mistaken idea of labor that resembles more a horror movie than reality; we hear that contractions are unbearable, that if you use epidural anesthesia you run a very high risk of becoming paralyzed, or that you will become unconscious and miss the moment your child is born. Fortunately, these are just urban legends. Whether our labor will be painful or not is impossible to know; each labor is different, even for a mother who has given birth multiple times. Pain depends on who experiences it — some find contractions bearable, others do not. Generally, the first labor is harder and lasts longer, although this is not a rule.
As the due date approaches, anxiety grows and you may even experience conflicting feelings between wanting your baby to be born and fear of labor. Therefore, it is important that the mother is well informed about labor to feel more confident, which reduces anxiety, frees her from tension, and helps better pain management. You can take a prenatal class, clear all your doubts with your doctor, and visit the hospital or clinic where you will give birth. Tour the facilities and the delivery room — all this builds trust and security.
Contractions cause the cervix to dilate so the baby can exit. Initially, they feel like discomfort, then pain in the back, then the abdomen, and finally in the uterus and lower belly. The contractions intensify as dilation progresses, which must reach 10 centimeters for the baby to be able to come out. At this point, contractions are more frequent and last longer.
Today medical science has advanced greatly. Modern prenatal diagnostic equipment is available, delivery room equipment for emergencies, and epidural anesthesia is another alternative. It is widely used, and the anesthesiologist knows how much to administer so there is no risk of losing motor coordination, reflexes, or consciousness.
Postpartum advice
The birth of a child is perhaps the most important event in a woman’s life and can awaken feelings of anxiety and fear. To go through this unique moment without fears or anxieties, it is essential that you feel supported. The most important event in a woman’s life, such as the birth of a child, can bring about feelings of fear and anxiety. One of the greatest concerns of the expectant mother is returning home after leaving the hospital, since from that moment on begins the stage of mutual acquaintance and baby care. Often the new mother feels alone facing this great responsibility. To navigate this unique moment without fears or anxieties, it is essential that the woman feels accompanied. Nowadays, there is a new form of care focused on the mother, her child, and the environment, which allows her to experience this moment with much tranquility.
While the baby sleeps, the mother rests
Newborn babies do not distinguish between day and night, so the mother should try to rest while her child sleeps. It is necessary for the mother to adjust her schedule to the baby’s so that she can not only sleep but also promote breast milk production. This adjustment period may last a month or a little longer.
Proper nutrition
The body needs to recover from the effort of labor, so it will require calories and an adequate intake of nutrients for breastfeeding.
Breast care
In the first days, milk let-down begins, causing the breasts to become sore and engorged. It is important to perform daily circular massages on the breasts to prevent nodules and mastitis. For nipple care, calendula cream is good as it prevents cracks.
Delegate household tasks
Mothers should allow themselves to be helped by a grandmother, friend, or trusted person. Although it is not easy to delegate tasks, if the mother does so, she will feel more relaxed and have more time for herself and her baby.
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