Delivering a baby is one of the highlights of a mother's life, along with other friends and family members who are patiently awaiting the new arrival. Baby delivery isn't always as easy as it seems, there are several things that come into play and must be considered in preparation for a baby to be born. Talking with your obstetrician, gynecologist or OB/GYN is the first step in assuring a successful delivery.
Labor
One of the first signs that a baby is soon to be delivered is that the mother will begin to go in labor. Not all pregnancies start off with a natural labor. In some cases, labor may have to be induced. Drugs used to induce labor include pitocin and dinoprostone. Women who have prearranged cesarean sections may not experience labor pains at all. Labor can last anywhere from several minutes to several hours. Some women experience false labor pains called Braxton-Hicks contractions. The difference between these and true labor is true labor will have more steady and consistent contractions as opposed to less frequent.
Locations
There are different locations in which a mother may choose to have her baby. Having the baby at home with the care and supervision of a midwife is becoming increasingly popular. Some moms choose to give birth in a small pool of water or bathtub. The most common location is a hospital. At the hospital, trained medical staff, including an OB/GYN and pediatrician, are on hand to assist should any complications arise.
Vaginal Birth
The most common form of baby delivery is the vaginal birth. Once labor begins, the cervix will become effaced and dilated and the water will likely break. The cervix must fully dilate to 10 centimeters for the baby to travel through. As the contractions get stronger and closer together, the baby will make its way through the birth canal. The baby is then pushed out with the help of the contractions and possibly forceps or the assistance of the midwife or gynecologist. Fluid is removed from the baby's nose and mouth and the umbilical cord is cut.
Cesarean Section
The decision to have a cesarean section needs to be made by both the mother and the OB/GYN. The doctor needs to take into consideration the health and well being of both the baby and the mother. Generally, a cesarean section is performed if there is a medical concern involving the pregnancy. This could be a mother with previous delivery problems, a narrow birth canal, a baby in a breech position, baby or mom with a serious medical condition or a baby who may not survive a traditional vaginal delivery. The mother is given an epidural to numb her lower body and an incision is made in the abdomen to remove the baby.
Special Accommodations
In some cases, special accommodations need to be made for a delivery. If the baby is high risk, a neonatal critical care team will be ready to assist with the delivery of the baby. Special incubators, heart monitors and equipment that is geared toward high risk infants will already be set in place waiting for the baby's birth. For the mother, additional surgical teams may be on staff for conducting a pre-scheduled gynecological surgery on the mother immediately after birth. Units of blood may also be on standby if there is a risk of bleeding involved.
