If you’re about to have your first child, then the birth itself might be a source of some apprehension. The more you know about what can happen, the better you’ll be able to prepare for it. Let’s take a look at how birth happens. (Disclaimer: This article contains spons0red content, meaning we may receive compensation from the products or services mentioned.)
Stages of Labour
Labour unfolds over three distinct phases. Before the labour itself, however, is what’s called the latent phase. Your contractions will gradually get faster and stronger until eventually your cervix dilates to around four centimetres.
This is where labour itself actually starts. Your cervix will dilate until it reaches around ten centimetres – which is enough for the baby to actually come out. This is called ‘fully’ dilated.
Then comes the second stage of labour, where you’ll be actually giving birth. You’ll feel an urge to push. When the baby’s head is coming out, your midwife will instruct you to take a few breaths, and stop pushing briefly, to minimise the chance of a tear during this delicate phase.
Finally, there’s the third stage of labour, which involves the womb contracting to its normal size, and the placenta coming out.
The Birth Plan
Before you head into labour, it’s a good idea to make your decisions about various pain-reduction options and techniques. You might take an epidural, which is a kind of anaesthetic injected directly into the spine. There are also less invasive pain medications, including entonox (a mixture of nitrous oxide gas and oxygen known as ‘gas and air’).
You should also think about where you’ll be having the baby. Will you give birth in a hospital, a birth centre, or at home? In the latter case, you’ll need to discuss with your doctor whether the home environment is suitable. It might make you more comfortable, but you won’t have access to the equipment and personnel present at a specialised facility.
Not all births go smoothly. In some cases, the delivering midwife, or a doctor, might have to intervene to make things easier. This might mean making an incision (called an episiotomy), or using forceps to help pull the baby out.
After the delivery, you might need additional care, too. You might need assistance with breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact during the immediate aftermath of the birth.
Addressing concerns
If your birth doesn’t go as well as you’d hoped, it might be that you can claim compensation. This tends to be the case where the medical personnel, or organisation, failed to deliver the required standard of care. You might seek compensation for maternity negligence via a specialised solicitor.
Importance of a Skilled Birth Team
In the modern era, several kinds of medical professionals contribute during the birthing process. These are the midwife or obstetrician, who guide you through both pregnancy and delivery, and a doula – a non-medical professional there to offer emotional and physical support. For the most part, these are not employed by the NHS, and so you’ll need to hire one yourself. Your partner will also ideally be present in a supportive capacity.
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