Hospital Birth
Even though more and more women are choosing to deliver their babies in birthing centers, most babies are born in a hospital. The majority of women opt to give birth in a hospital, either because they are encouraged to do so by their medical advisers or because it’s their preference. Most hospitals are now paying much more attention to the mother’s wishes, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy giving birth to your baby in a hospital setting.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The hospital surroundings will be unfamiliar, and this can make you feel anxious, but here are some tips to help you make yourself more comfortable. You’ll probably have been told to leave all valuables at home, but when you get to the hospital, you may be asked to remove any remaining personal items such as jewelry. If this worries you, ask if you can keep your personal belongings with you in a bag. If you wear contact lenses, ask about the hospital’s policy beforehand-they may prefer you to bring your glasses instead.
After admission, When you arrive at the hospital, you’ll need to go through brief hospital admission procedures. Your midwife or doctor will ask you about how your labor is going-how often you’re having contractions and whether your water has broken, for example. Then she will examine your abdomen to confirm the situation, feel your baby’s position, and check your baby’s heart. Your blood pressure and temperature will be taken, and you’ll be given an internal examination to see how far your cervix has dilated. They will probably ask you to wear a fetal monitor for about 20 minutes, but afterward you should be able to move around as much as you wish.
Giving birth
If you’ve decided that you prefer to manage without drugs for as long as you can during labor, the midwives will usually be more than happy to help you cope using other methods of pain relief. Bear in mind, though, that drug relief is available if you want it, and you can ask to start with smaller doses if you don’t feel you need the full measure.
Once your baby is descending, you may be helped into a semireclining position. If you’re in any danger of tearing, you may need to have an episiotomy when your baby’s head is crowning. If forceps have to be used, an episiotomy is more likely. Your baby will be delivered onto your abdomen, and while you take your first look at each other, you’ll be given an injection of Syntometrine into your thigh. This is to make sure that your uterus will contract firmly, reducing the chance of severe bleeding after the delivery of the placenta. Your baby will then be given the Apgar tests while you are cleaned up. If you need to have stitches, these are usually done at this point, either by the midwife or the doctor.
THE ADVANTAGES
For some mothers, a hospital birth gives the best chance of a successful and happy outcome. Having your baby in the hospital is the safest option if you suffer from a medical condition such as heart disease or diabetes, if you’re expecting twins, if your baby is known to be breech, or if, as a first-time mother, your obstetrical history just presents too many unknown factors.
Should anything go wrong during the labor and birth, emergency medical assistance is on hand right away, and there’s a wide range of pain-relief medication readily available should you want it. You may feel happier knowing that your baby can be given treatment in an intensive care unit if the need arises.
By staying in the hospital after the birth, you may get more rest than you would at home, especially if you have other children.
THE DISADVANTAGES
Once you’re in the hospital, it’s easy to feel overpowered by the atmosphere, although some are getting more relaxed about childbirth. Bear in mind that hospital staff have to follow rules and routines, and you’re going to have to fit in with them. But that doesn’t mean that you should have to do anything you aren’t happy about. Your partner may feel a bit awkward and separate from the birth of his child, so try to include him in whatever way you can. It helps to find out as much as you can about the hospital procedures and setup beforehand so that you’re more prepared once you go into labor.