| WHEN
TO COME TO THE HOSPITAL
Labor is different for every woman, and pinpointing when it begins is not really possible. Contractions occur at regular and increasingly shorter intervals, and become longer and stronger in intensity. How to time a contraction Call the department
(894-2242) or come to the hospital if:
ADMISSION
Top
PAIN
MANAGEMENT
BREATHING AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, WALKING AND HOT SHOWERS reduce painful sensations and help you to remain calm and feel relaxed. these techniques are especially effective in early labour. We support their use and encourage you to participate in this form of pain management with the help of your nurse and or labour coach (husband, relative, friend). These techniques are helpful at home as well. NARCOTICS are medications that ease the discomfort associated with contractions. Demerol is the drug used frequently during labour. It is usually given by injection into a muscle in your hip. Pain relief takes effect within 10 to 20 minutes and lasts from 2 to 4 hours. If this method of pain relief is working well for you, the injection can be repeated. Narcotics promote sleep, help to reduce anxious feelings and improve your ability to cope with painful contractions. However, they may not provide enough pain relief for a long enough period of time. Some women will experience dizziness, sedation and nausea. An antinauseant is often given together with Demerol to prevent nausea. When narcotics are given close to the time of delivery, a few babies will be sleepy at birth. A medicine (Narcan) can be given to the baby if necessary to counteract the effects of Demerol. NITROUS OXIDE is an anaesthetic gas. It is given together with oxygen through a face mask. You hold the mask and start inhaling the gas mixture just before a contraction begins. The nurse will show you how to coordinate your breathing with the contractions. Pain relief occurs within two or three breaths but will disappear 3 to 5 minutes after you stop breathing the gas. Because its effect disappears to rapidly, nitrous oxide is very safe and does not sedate your baby. Prolonged use can make some women feel dizzy and/or sleepy. Therefore, nitrous oxide is usually reserved for use during the last 2 hours before delivery. EPIDURAL ANALGESIA. Because sensations of childbirth come from a limited area of the body, a small amount of freezing (local anaesthetic) placed in the back can take away discomfort and cramping without affecting the rest of the body. Epidurals provide excellent pain relief with little effect on the mother or the baby. The anesthetist performing the procedure will ask you to sit or to lie on your side, with your knees drawn up. A small area of skin on your back is cleansed with antiseptic and numbed with a local anesthetic, then the epidural space is located with a needle. A thin plastic tube (catheter) is passed through the needle into the epidural space, below the level of the spinal cord. The needle is removed and the catheter is taped to your back. Local anaesthetic and/or narcotic is injected through the catheter to numb the pain nerves. An epidural infusion is continued throughout labour to keep you comfortable. It is normal to experience some numbness and weakness in the legs while the epidural is infusing. If strong concentrations of local anaesthetic are needed, bearing down for delivery may be less effective. Five to 10% of women have a temporary drop in blood pressure. Therefore, an intravenous infusion and frequent blood pressure measurements are standard practise with an epidural. Complications of this
technique are rare but should be considered. If the anaesthetic enters
a blood vessel in the epidural space, dizziness, ringing in the ears and
a metallic taste in your mouth could occur. If the anaesthetic enters the
fluid of the spinal canal, nerves above the uterus would be numbed, breathing
could be interfered with, and headache might occur. The anaesthetist and
the nurse will monitor your symptoms to detect and treat any problems.
EVENTS AT THE TIME OF BIRTH Immediately after birth, baby is given to the parents to hold. Special attention will be given to keeping the baby warm and dry. Warm blankets are used to dry the baby and sometimes baby needs secretions suctioned from his/her mouth. Parents can keep their baby with them as long as they wish. Baby’s weight and first bath is done in the nursery. Breastfeeding is encouraged as soon as possible after delivery as baby is alert and usually ready to feed at this time. NB Video recorders are not allowed in the delivery room. RECOVERY
CESAREAN
BIRTHS
SIGNS OF LABOUR:
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