Your labor and delivery experience will be unique to you. Whether you are in labor for a long period of time or only a few hours, the WMCHealth labor and delivery team provides a safe, comforting, and caring environment to make this life-changing experience positive and healthy, for both mom and baby.
Signs of Labor
It can be difficult to know when you’re officially in labor. As you near your due date, it’s common to experience false labor, or what is called Braxton Hicks. These are irregular contractions that don’t follow a pattern and usually stop after a short time. You can be sure your labor is truly starting if:
- Your water breaks
- Your contractions happen at regular intervals
- Your contractions become more frequent, last longer, and become more intense
If you experience signs of labor, contact your doctor.
Coping During Labor
While labor can be painful, it has a purpose. Every contraction is working to prepare your body for delivery and brings you one step closer to meeting your baby.
WMCHealth provides many ways to support you and reduce pain during labor. People experience labor pain differently, so discuss with your doctor what might work best for you. This may include medications such as:
- IV pain relievers called analgesics
- Local anesthesia to a small area of the body
- Pudendal block such as lidocaine to relieve pain during delivery
- Epidural—the most common method—which blocks sensation from the waist down
There are also many coping strategies other than medication, including:
- Massage
- Aromatherapy
- Dimmed lights
- Soothing music
- A birthing ball
- A warm shower or bath
- Distractions, such as television
Delivery
Babies are delivered vaginally or through a surgical procedure called a Cesarean, or C-Section.
Vaginal Delivery
Once the cervix has dilated to 10 centimeters and your contractions are 60-90 seconds apart, you will begin to push. It can take just a few minutes up to a few hours for you to deliver your baby. After the baby is delivered, the placenta must be delivered.
Cesarean (C-Section) Delivery
There are a few reasons a baby could be delivered by C-section, including:
- Baby is breach or in an abnormal delivery position
- Baby is exhibiting signs of distress
- Labor has stalled
Sometimes, a C-section is planned because it may be the safer option, including for women with certain underlying health conditions or complications. WMCHealth experts have ample experience with both types of deliveries. Our OB/GYNs will support you with family-centered care and have access to any medical interventions necessary for a safe delivery.
Inducing Labor
If labor doesn’t begin or progress how it naturally should, your doctor may induce labor by:
- Administering IV medications
- Breaking your water
- Separating the membrane from the uterine wall
- Softening your cervix with medication applied directly in the vagina
After Baby Arrives
If there are any complications during delivery, WMCHealth has the most advanced care available. Whether your baby needs the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or other pediatric services, we can provide comprehensive care for mother and baby.