A cesarean section is a surgery done to deliver a baby. There are different reasons why a cesarean section may be needed, or chosen. Speak to your OBGYN to determine whether you may need a cesarean section or if you have any concerns.

Here are some of the reasons why you may need a cesarean section:

Multiple births may end up in a cesarean, depending on weight and position. Twins may be born vaginally, but triplets or more will likely be born via cesarean section.

Gestational diabetes may lead to a large baby, in which case you may have to resort to a cesarean section.

Breech position is when the baby is positioned with its bottom down rather than its head down. While a vaginal delivery is possible in some cases, there is a decreasing number of obstetricians who are experienced in these types of births. A cesarean is performed when baby is in distress or has a cord prolapse.

Cord prolapsed is when the umbilical cord slips through the cervix and comes out before the baby is born. This condition is dangerous to baby because as the uterus contracts it causes pressure on the umbilical cord which diminishes the blood flow to the baby.

The most common fetal distress is when the baby is not getting oxygen. This type of fetal distress is detected by fetal monitoring and will lead to an emergency cesarean.

If you have active genital herpes (an outbreak of genital herpes), you will deliver by cesarean section in order to prevent the baby from being exposed to herpes when passing through the birth canal.

It is normal to develop different fears during pregnancy, especially if it is your first pregnancy. After all, it is the first time you are growing a tiny human in your uterus, and everything is new. Though it is normal, and somewhat expected, there are fears you can avoid with a little research, which will actually help your pregnancy go smoother. Remember, fear can lead to stress, and stress is never good for you.

Many women are afraid of having a miscarriage. Though it does happen, you should know that most pregnancies end with healthy babies, and most miscarriages occur in the first weeks of pregnancy, sometimes before you even notice your missed period (in which case you don’t even know you miscarried).  You can lower your risk of miscarrying by avoiding smoking and alcohol, as well as cutting back on caffeine. Also avoid amusement park rides and ride a bicycle.

Fearing your baby will have birth defects is normal. It may help to know that the risk of your baby having birth defects is only 4%. Even if test results are abnormal, in many cases a follow up test result will return normal. If you have any general or specific concerns, speak to your healthcare provider. It is always helpful to be informed, and may reduce the stress and minimize your concerns.

Fearing childbirth is the most common fear, especially if it is your first pregnancy or if you have a difficult childbirth experience before. Taking childbirth preparation classes and learning about your options can help reduce the fear of the unknown.

An emergency cesarean section is something that many expecting moms fear. It may help to know that most cesarean sections are known in advance, even scheduled. If you will need a cesarean section due to breech baby, gestational diabetes or other complication, you will most likely know about it enough time in advance in order to get all the information you need.

Pregnancy is a miracle, though it can hold its share of fears. Knowledge is power, and will help you overcome some of the fears you may be facing. Speak to your spouse, your OBGYN and anyone else you feel can help relieve these fears. There is no shame in fearing the unknown or for your child’s well being, it only means you are realizing you are about to be a parent.

Congratulation!

In most cases, a breech baby automatically means a cesarean section. That is largely because of the lack of experience of obstetricians in a vaginal delivery of a breech baby.

Most women in this position have little if any choice when it comes to childbirth options. The majority of women with breech babies are offered an elective cesarean section, and most of which choose to go with a scheduled one, rather than waiting for the pregnancy to mature. A very small number of women actually wait for the contractions to start or their water to break. Either way, the majority of women with a breech baby end up having a cesarean section.

A successful vaginal delivery of a breech baby is completely possible with an obstetrician experienced in these types of births. In Frankfurt, Germany, there is a lot of experience in successful breech baby vaginal deliveries in recent years. Their experience shows success in such births especially with the women laboring on all fours. There are vaginal deliveries of breech babies with little medical interference, no constant monitoring, no epidural and no need for stitches.

While there may be circumstances beyond your control that lead you to deliver by a cesarean section, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of that happening over a vaginal delivery.

Your first step on the way to a vaginal delivery is selecting a care giver who is inclined towards vaginal deliveries. If you plan on staying with your OBGYN, check what his/her approach to childbirth is. If you are leaning towards a midwife, you are likely to have a vaginal delivery if no complications arise.

Unless your insurance restricts you to a specific hospital, check the rates of cesareans in hospitals in your area. If the hospitals do not publish this information, try to search the web for it, you may find it faster than you imagine.

If your pregnancy goes over 40 weeks, your healthcare provider may lean towards an induction. Try to avoid it for as long as you can, for if the cervix is not ready, jump starting labor may prove unproductive and lead to a cesarean section. An early epidural may also increase the chances of having a cesarean.

Labor at home for as long as you can. This way you will minimize the chances of being hooked up to fetal monitoring and having to go through other interventions that will keep you in your hospital bed and increase your discomfort as well as lead to a cesarean.

Take prenatal classes and learn what to expect, how to prepare your body for labor and how to handle labor pain. Write up a birth plan and don’t let the doctors force you into an un needed operation. At the same time, don’t fight them if an operation is needed to save your unborn baby.

During early, and sometimes also late pregnancy, you are so consumed with the excitement of the new life growing inside you, you may neglect to think about what’s to come after childbirth. You may also be so occupied with thoughts of the actual birthing experience or the baby and how life will change, you may put aside any thought of the postpartum period and what you may go through or need after birth.

Postpartum (also called postnatal) is the first six weeks right after birth. In this time, your body will be recovering from the pregnancy and birth. It will obviously take longer than six weeks to get back to shape and gain control over your new life as a mother, but the first six weeks after childbirth are a critical time in which your healthcare provider will prefer to see you rest and recover.

To ease the transition into motherhood from your life as a couple, or the transition from a family of three to a family of four, etc. you may want to plan a head just a bit.

What will you need right after delivery?

Baby care – if you had a baby shower, you may have most of the items you need for your newborn, but what about help caring for your newborn? If you have family in town, or close friends who offer to lend a helping hand, don’t think twice and take them up on their offer! Any help can make things easier on you!

Food – you may not think of it, but having to stand in the kitchen and cook right after you return from the hospital with your newborn can be challenging on different levels. You need your rest; your baby needs your attention and you NEED food, especially if you are breastfeeding, to keep you going. Either have frozen meals ready, send hubby to get take away or let anyone who offers cook for you.

Household chores – this is the time to accept any help offered to you! Take advantage of family members willing to help, friends with time on their hands, or your significant other – send them to do your grocery shopping, light cleaning, any household chores they are willing to take off your hands. Taking a newborn out to the grocery store can be a challenge, cleaning is best left for someone else (you need your rest!), and any other chore can either wait for a later time or be done by hired help!

Remember you have just been through childbirth. Your body needs the rest to recuperate, and your baby needs your love and care. Don’t hesitate to let anyone willing, help you!

If you are 37 weeks pregnant and do not have a hospital bag ready for the big day, it is time to get one ready, just in case you go into labor and need to go to the hospital in a rush. Even if you do not need to hurry, when the time comes, you may not be thinking as clearly with all the excitement. Why not put a bag together and be ready.

What will you need:

• Comfortable PJ’s, preferably ones with boob access if you are planning to nurse. Do not pack your favorite PJ’s, unless you are OK with blood stains.
• Your hospital may provide disposable underwear, but in case they do not, pack some from home. Not your sexy ones, but granny ones you do not care too much about, as you may have to throw them away.
• Most hospitals also provide sanitary pads, but just in case, bring some for postpartum bleeding.
• Socks! If it is winter bring slippers as well! You will be walking around on your hospital room floor before you are released.
• If you are the robe type, bring one!
• Clothes to wear when you are released from the hospital. You will most likely NOT fit into your pre pregnancy jeans. Maternity clothes will do just fine at this point.
• An outfit or two to take your baby home in. Consider bringing two different sizes – new born and 0-3 – you never know exactly how much your baby will weigh.
• Receiving blankets, burp clothes.
• Toiletries: body soap, shampoo, conditioner, tooth brush, tooth paste, deodorant, etc.
• Toiletries and a change of clothes for hubby (he may be spending the night in the hospital with you.)
• Snacks for hubby – chips, energy bar, etc. While you will not be allowed to eat during labor, hubby does not need to suffer with you.
• Your body pillow if you use one or any pillow from home. If you are at the hospital for a while, why not be comfortable.
• Cell phone and charger.
• Books and magazines. You cannot anticipate how long you will be in labor. Have something to help you pass the time.
• Camera!
• Cash for the vending machines.
• Car seat for the baby, already installed.
• Hospital registration forms, completed. You do not want to deal with paperwork when you get there.
• Birth plan, if you have one.
• Insurance cards.
• Your ID or driver license, for admission.

Happy delivery experience!

There are different ways in which a woman can give birth. Some are chosen while others are as a result of an emergency. A silent birth is a birth that takes place in complete silence. There are no words spoken, no doctors or nurses chatting or even giving directions to push etc. This type of labor and delivery allows the birthing mother to bring her child into a calm and loving environment.

The assisting staff has to learn to say nothing during the labor and delivery. There can be no loud comments, laughing remarks or even words of encouragement. Absolute silence must be maintained. No words can be spoken, but that does not mean the mother is silent.

The idea behind a silent birth, as explained by L. Ron Hubbard, is that “the hidden source of nightmares, unreasonable fears, upsets, insecurity and psychosomatic illness—the reactive mind. This part of the mind records all perceptions during times of pain and unconsciousness—which childbirth is for both mother and child. And words, in particular, spoken during these moments, can have an adverse effect on one later in life.”

A silent birth is not medically different, but is instead a spiritual approach, based on L. Ron Hubbard’s research into the mind and spirit.

Many women, near the end of their pregnancy, start wandering how they will know if labor has started and what contractions will feel like. Do they really hurt and how will they handle the pain of contractions and childbirth.

Labor contractions are the periodic tightening and relaxing of the uterine muscle. They are often described as a cramping or a tightening sensation that starts in the back and moves around to the front in a wave-like manner. Some women report that contractions feel like pressure in the back. During a contraction, the abdomen becomes hard to the touch.

Many expecting mothers describe early labor contractions as similar to menstrual cramps or as severe gas pains, which may be confused with flu symptoms or intestinal disorders. Imagine your contractions as a wave. Each contraction will gradually increase in intensity until the contraction peaks, then slowly subside and disappear. As your body does the work, during labor, the time between contractions will decrease.

As the strength of each contraction increases, the peaks will happen sooner and last longer. There should be some regularity or pattern when you time your contractions. Persistent contractions that have no rhythm, but are five-to-seven minutes apart or less should be reported to your physician or midwife.

A typical labor for a first time mother is eight-to-fourteen hours, and is usually shorter for a second or subsequent birth. For many women, rocking in a chair or swaying back and forth, during a contraction, assists them with this relaxation.

You can check for contractions by feeling your uterus tightening and softening. Lie down and use your fingertips to feel the uterus. During a contraction your abdomen harden, then become soft again.

In this day and age, with medicine taking over the miracle of childbirth, a woman giving birth may feel secondary in the process. After all, the doctors know better, so do the nurses, they are all more experienced. And the expecting mother finds herself following directions rather than listening to her instincts.

The process of childbirth is a natural one and until the 1900’s it was done with midwives at home. It has only been in the last century that childbirth has found its way into the hospitals. Even now, many women around the world still choose a natural childbirth, even in the western world. After all, hospitals are for the sick and they are healthy.

Before you decide to dive into this amazing experience of natural birth, it is important to ask yourself why you want a natural birth and how far you are willing to go for it. It is not for everyone and you need to consider whether it is the right thing, for you. Childbirth may not go as you planned, at home or the hospital. While in the past everyone gave birth at home, you cannot ignore the fact that some women died giving birth. Sometimes the wonders of modern technology and advanced medicine should not be overlooked. There is no guarantee that one way is better than the other, therefore your own intuition is important – listen to it!

If you choose to pursue a natural birth, take the time to learn the process and make sure you understand it and that it is indeed right for you. Listen to yourself, your beliefs, and your inner wishes. Do not hesitate to ask questions and consult everyone you can. Knowledge is power and will help you to prepare for the experience.

First and foremost you should embrace the fact that this experience is the realization of something that is natural to your body. The birth does not have to take place at home, it can be anywhere you feel comfortable. The birthing process is natural, with no foreign intervention.

In a natural birth, you choose who will be present and where you will give birth, as opposed to a hospital birth, where the staff cannot be handpicked. A natural birth should revolve around the desires of the expecting mother, who can choose what environment her baby will be born into. What will be the first sights, smells and sounds her baby will be exposed to at birth.

While pregnancy is a time of excitement and anticipation, it can sometimes also be filled with unknowns, worries and concerns. While pregnant, you are more aware of your body as you follow the changes it is going through.  If this is your first pregnancy, you may be wondering how you will know when labor has begun. You may also wonder what, of all the new symptoms you are experiencing, is normal. You may wonder how your baby is developing, is he doing well or is there a reason to be concerned.

A healthy, low risk pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks. If you go into labor after the 37^th week, it is considered a full term pregnancy and there is no reason to be alarmed. However, if you go into labor before the 37 week mark, it is considered a preterm labor.  A baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered premature and can be at risk with regard to health problems.

Preterm labor is usually common in pregnancies with multiples, women with previous premature birth experience and women with certain uterine or cervical abnormalities.

Warning signs that you may be experiencing premature labor include 6 or more contractions an hour, leakage from your vagina indicating your water broke, cramps in your lower abdomen, back pain that comes and goes, pelvic pressure and/or an increase in vaginal discharge.

If you think you may be experiencing preterm labor call your healthcare provider immediately. To help prevent preterm labor, take these precautionary actions – lie on your left side, avoid lying on your back (it can cause contractions to increase), empty your bladder, drink plenty of water (dehydration can cause contractions) and count your contractions per hour.

If symptoms continue or worsen, go to triage. At the hospital you will be checked for the frequency of the contractions and your cervix will be examined to see if it is dilated. If your cervix is opening premature labor could be starting.

To stop or prevent premature labor, magnesium sulfate is given, via IV, at the hospital. If birth is unavoidable or seems to be near, corticosteroid is given to help mature the baby’s lungs and brain. While it is usually better for the baby to stay in the womb longer, birth is sometimes unavoidable. In these cases the baby may be admitted to the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for special care.