Standard Hospital Practices
When You Arrive to Labor and Delivery
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Finally - the time you have been dreaming of and possibly fearing a bit - you
are in labor and have arrived at the hospital. If you are in later stages
of labor, you may be offered a wheelchair. If you are in early labor, try
to walk as much as you can. Always let nature take it's course - the
weight of the baby on your cervix as you walk will dilate you quicker than
anything else, resulting in a shorter labor.
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When you arrive, you will be signed in and taken to your room.
Give your birth plan to the nurse and explain any concerns or wishes you have.
Your nurse will ask you questions about your labor and your birth plan. He
or she will check your vitals and attach a belt around your belly. This
belt holds a doppler or electronic fetal monitor. Your baby's heartbeat
will be monitored with this device, as well as your contractions. You can
view both of these on a printout near your bed. You will receive an
internal examination to see how dilated you are. If you are planning on an
epidural, the anesthesiologist will visit you to determine when it will be time
for the procedure. If you are positive for
Group B Streptococcus, you will be given an
antibiotic intravenously.
Women in America are more often than not "tied to their bed" during labor -
connected to gadgets and wires. In this position, the baby literally has
to move "uphill," slowing labor and making it more difficult to give birth.
Staying upright, walking, standing or using a birthing ball can reduce the
length of your labor. If you are going to have an epidural, you will be
required to stay in your bed once it has been administered. The
anesthesiologist will let you know when it is time to return to your bed for
your epidural.
Remember, when you are in labor you may feel out of control and cannot speak
for yourself. Your doula, birthing partner or midwife is there to speak
for you. Be sure they know exactly what your wishes are during labor and
make sure they are willing to fight for it. Having a first baby can be
scary and intimidating. It is easy to allow the medical staff to take over
and do what is easier for them rather than what is best for you as an
individual. Be sure your labor partner is ready to take charge when you
are most vulnerable.
If you are planning on a natural birth without pain medication,
notify your nurse as soon as you arrive. It is usually standard hospital
policy to immediately place a heartbeat monitor on your belly to determine your
baby is not in distress. Once this has been established, it is important
to get out of your bed and begin walking. If your contractions prevent you
from walking outside of your room, ask for a birthing ball to sit on. This
is basically a large exercise ball and can be extremely valuable during a
drug-free labor. As you sit on the ball you will feel some relief from the
pressure of your baby's head. Sit on the ball and hold on to a chair or
bed with help from your birthing partner. As you feel a contraction,
gently bounce up and down on the ball while breathing. You will find this
rocking or bouncing comes naturally. Your position on the ball enables
nature to take it's course, using gravity to open your cervix as the baby's head
moves down.
