Your doctor may require you to have an unplanned cesarean delivery for several reasons - labor is not progressing, contractions are too weak, the umbilical cord is pinched or wrapped, abnormal heart beat is detected in the fetus, there is an issue with the placenta, the baby is too large, or the baby is breech. Understanding what to expect with a cesarean birth will help you better prepare in the event you require this procedure.
To learn more about the risks and benefits of a cesarean delivery, watch the Elective Primary Cesarean video. You can save time on delivery day by filling out forms in advance.
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Carrying Your Baby Full Term. Childbirth Videos. Going Home. Mom Care. Baby Care. Lactation Program. Postpartum Depression. Your practitioner may suggest other tactics to ease your discomfort first, like sitting in water before you start pushing, getting a massage, or changing positions. If you do want an epidural, your anesthesiologist will get an IV going. Be prepared for other interventions as necessary.
ACOG guidelines call for fewer or delayed labor interventions in low-risk women who are progressing normally through labor. Use the toilet periodically. Continue to urinate regularly: A full bladder can slow down your progress. During the third and final phase of labor, called transitional labor, your cervix will dilate to 10 centimeters as you experience strong contractions about every two to three minutes, though it can vary. Very strong and painful contractions.
Because they're spaced only about two or three minutes apart, it may seem like you barely get to relax before the next contraction begins. Full dilation. Your cervix will dilate from about 7 to 8 centimeters up to the final 10 centimeters — when it will be time to deliver your baby. Bloody show will increase, as capillaries in the cervix rupture. Pressure in your back and abdomen.
General discomfort. You may feel sweaty, chilled, shaky or achy. One or both legs may be completely numb if you've had an epidural. And you may have other forms of discomfort too, though you may not experience any of these symptoms. Fatigue and drowsiness. This last phase of labor can be physically demanding and draining, but it can also be exhilarating.
You may feel impatient — or elated. Hang in there! Resist the urge to push. Pushing before dilation is complete could cause your cervix to swell, which can postpone delivery. If you feel the urge to push, ask your practitioner or doula for guidance. Try to relax between contractions with slow, deep, rhythmic breathing. Speak up. Ask for an epidural, if you want one. Your birth team will tell you when it's no longer possible to have one. Be prepared to wait some more.
Keep your eye on the prize. That bundle of joy will soon be in your arms! Some moms may begin to experience early labor symptoms such as dilation and effacement days or even weeks before labor starts in earnest, while others may only have noticeable early labor contractions for two to six hours. Active labor may last anywhere from about two to 24 hours though the average is two to three-and-a-half hours , while transitional labor can last anywhere from 15 minutes to about three hours.
At a certain point, your practitioner may rely on interventions to get things going or speed things up. How many times you've given birth. The position of your baby. Having certain complications or other issues. The three phases of labor are the first part of a larger picture: The three stages of childbirth.
Pushing and delivering your baby. Most women push for 30 minutes to an hour, although the pushing stage may last for a few hours — at which point your practitioner will reassess whether other interventions are necessary. Delivering the placenta. Once your baby is delivered, your practitioner will still need to deliver your placenta , a process that usually takes about 20 minutes.
Your doctor may help things along by pulling on the umbilical cord or pressing on your abdomen while asking you to push. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
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Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. In addition to intense, closely spaced contractions, you may feel pain in your back, groin, even your sides or thighs, as well as nausea.
What's happening : Intense pain is eclipsed by major pressure as you feel a great urge to bear down and push your baby out—some women describe it as "like pooping a watermelon or bowling ball. When the baby's head crowns , or becomes visible, you may experience a burning, stinging sensation around the vaginal opening as it stretches.
What's happening : This stage tends to be relatively easy, as mild, crampy contractions ease the placenta out. At this point you're focused on your newborn anyway. Some women feel guilty if they opt for labor pain medication, as though they've somehow failed or put their babies' or their own well-being at risk. In fact, epidurals and other pain-relief drugs are quite safe, says William Camann, M. What's more, the benefits of epidural may last long after your baby is born.
According to Gilbert Grant, M. Even if you opt for an epidural or other medication, using relaxation techniques can boost your ability to handle the pain, says Leslie Ludka, C.
Rhythmic breathing, visualization, meditation, self-hypnosis, and other relaxation strategies taught in classes such as Lamaze , Bradley Method, or HypnoBirthing may help keep your mind calm and your muscles loose. Other effective techniques include massage, walking, taking a bath or shower, and applying ice or heat. Whether you plan to use labor pain medication or go natural , try to be flexible. While medication can take much of the pain out of giving birth, delivering naturally can give you a great sense of accomplishment.
Here's her advice: "Differentiate between pain and suffering. Pain can be managed, but if it becomes overwhelming, medication may prevent suffering. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team.
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