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Of the joys and challenges you face in life, none is more extraordinary than having your first baby. From the moment you find out that you are pregnant to the day you give birth, you will experience many changes and learn new ways to take care of yourself and your growing baby.
Mother and baby experts from our hospitals and physician groups in our network have shared their knowledge and expertise to provide you with the best possible care. Together we have established quality standards based on the experiences of more than 20,000 first-time mothers across our network and drawing upon scientific evidence of best practices for healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. As a part of this effort, we have compiled the following information about childbirth and created these Special Delivery Considerations for First-Time Mothers to recognize and support this magnificent time in your life.
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Early Labor
Induction
Comfort and Pain Management
Episiotomy
Pushing
Breastfeeding
Baby
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Early Labor
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 Because you have never experienced labor before, you may find it difficult to know if you are in labor. Before heading to the hospital, call your physician or midwife to discuss your labor symptoms.
More than one hospital trip
It is common for first time mothers to make more than one trip to the hospital. If you are in early labor and sent home, the following activities may be helpful:- walking
- showering
- resting
- drinking fluids
- renting a video
- listening to music, etc.
Prodromal Labor
Some first-time mothers experience a prolonged period of early labor with minimal to no change in their cervical dilation. This condition is called "Prodromal Labor". If this occurs, it is especially important to- alternate rest and activity
- to keep hydrated
- maintain your physical energy with light, high energy food
Partners and families can be very helpful in keeping the mother distracted with activities and in keeping up her spirits. Periodic contact with your healthcare provider is also helpful.
Active Labor
Literature shows, and we have found, admitting a first time mother to the hospital when she is in active labor has a better outcome than admitting a first time mother to the hospital when she is in early labor. Admitting a first time mother during active labor helps her labor progress with minimal interventions and she has a higher occurrence of having a vaginal delivery. In active labor, the contractions are less than 5 minutes apart, lasting 45-60 seconds and the cervix is dilated 3 centimeters or more.
Read more about:
Early Labor
Cervical Effacement and Dilation
Diagram of Cervical Effacement
"When should I go to the hospital?"
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Induction
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Although inducing labor may be needed for certain medical problems or prolonged pregnancies, induction for a first-time mother carries additional risk. Induction of labor for a first-time mother, (especially with a cervix that is nearly closed), doubles or triples the length of labor and possibility of a cesarean birth. However, in subsequent pregnancies, the chances for a cesarean delivery after induction are lower.
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Comfort and Pain Management
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Pain is a natural part of labor and every woman is unique in the level of pain she can tolerate. Women also have varying success with the kind of activities or interventions that can help decrease their labor pain and increase their comfort. Outlined below are the three types of activities and interventions: comfort measures, medication, and regional anesthesia.- Comfort measures — There are several good approaches to pain relief that are effective throughout labor that everyone should try. Any of the following approaches with which you feel comfortable can be used during your labor:
- Walking
- Water therapy (e.g. shower or tub)
- Sitting or leaning on a birthing ball or rocking chair
- Keeping a restful environment in your labor room (quiet, low lighting, soothing music). Carefully select support people for a calm environment
- Using various positions (all fours, sitting on toilet, kneeling, squatting, pelvic rock) and supporting with pillows if necessary
- Massage/back rubs by support person
- Effleurage (light massage of abdomen)
- Having your partner or a support person rub a tennis ball over your lower back
- Applying warm or cold compresses
- Using relaxation/breathing techniques
- Prayers or religious ceremonies
- Guided meditation using calming imagery
Utilizing several comfort techniques is an excellent way to involve first-time partners in supporting and working with you in the childbirth process.
- Medication — For some women, as labor progresses and contractions become stronger or they get too tired to cope, comfort measures no longer provide enough relief. Pain medications are commonly used at that point, and your physician or midwife will explain the benefits of each type and will help you select the appropriate medication that is safe for you and your baby. You may want to discuss medications in advance of labor with your doctor or midwife.
Medication may not totally eliminate labor pain, but can help ease it so you can better rest and cope with the discomfort. Continue to use comfort measures that help you relax as much as possible between contractions. Except in early labor, the most commonly used medications are short acting, minimizing the effect on the baby. For some women, no other medications are necessary to help cope with labor pains.
- Regional Anesthesia (Epidural, Spinal or Intrathecal Medication) — If you reach a point in active labor that comfort measures and/or medication are no longer giving you adequate pain relief, your physician or midwife may order regional anesthesia to provide stronger pain relief. The anesthesiologist inserts a needle in your lower back to administer regional anesthesia. The goal of regional anesthesia, especially after your cervix is completely dilated, is to reach a balance between easing your feeling of pain and still feeling the urge to bear down to actively participate in delivering your baby. The various methods of regional anesthesia are discussed later in the section on medications. Talk to your physician or midwife in advance of labor about regional anesthesia, and tour the hospital in order to find out what types of regional anesthesia are available.
Read more about medications in labor
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Episiotomy
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Over the last ten years, the national trend has been to avoid routine episiotomies, performing the procedure only when necessary. What used to be a national episiotomy rate of 60 to 80 percent for first-time mothers has decreased to less than 20 percent. The main concern is that the episiotomy will extend into the rectum during delivery.
For your first delivery, you are encouraged to discuss with your physician or midwife (and their partners if in a group practice) their use of episiotomies at one of your last prenatal appointments or when you are in early labor.
Less trauma without episiotomy
Close to 70 percent of women will have a natural tear with the birth of their first baby, usually involving less tissue and trauma than an episiotomy.
Read more about episiotomy.
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Pushing
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Also known as the second stage of labor, pushing starts sometime after the cervix is completely dilated (10 centimeters).
The importance of waiting
It is important to wait for the natural urge to bear down before starting active pushing. You are often encouraged to push by "holding your breath and push as hard and as long as you can." Research has suggested that a woman's spontaneous urge to push occurs three-to-five times during a contraction while the woman is exhaling and bearing down.
Pushing with an epidural
If you use an epidural, you may be encouraged to rest until you have the sensation to push. Women who receive epidural anesthesia for labor may have difficulty pushing, especially if the strength of the anesthetic numbs the sensation to bear down. The practice of "delayed pushing" is currently being studied in women using epidurals as an alternative to routine pushing at 10 centimeters.
There may be circumstances, such as having a strong regional anesthetic, or an arrest of labor, where you may not feel the urge to push. In event of such a circumstance, you will be assisted with pushing (see section on assisted delivery).
Other information/tips- Upright positioning (sitting, squatting, standing) allows gravity to help you push.
- Allowing the baby's head to gradually stretch the tissue at the outlet of the vagina (perineum) will reduce the risk of a significant tear. Lying on your side is associated with fewer significant tears.
- During second stage labor, your uterus pushes the baby down the birth canal (passive descent).
- Perineal massage (gradual stretching of the vaginal and perineal tissues) from 36 weeks on has been associated with fewer perineal tears. Ask your doctor or midwife for information about perineal massage.
- If your obstetrician or midwife is concerned about your or your baby's health, he or she may opt to shorten the second stage of labor by using a vacuum or forceps on the baby's head (performed by the obstetrician).
- The breathing techniques used for pushing vary and depend upon what works best for you.
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Breastfeeding
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It is important to put the baby to breast 30 to 60 minutes after birth. Within the first hour of life your baby is most alert and interested in nursing. Your baby is eager to meet you and needs the colostrum (initial fluid from your breast) for energy and protection against infection.
After the first one-to-two hours, your baby will become sleepy and more difficult to nurse.
Visit our section on breastfeeding
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Baby
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Purchase and learn how to use an approved car seat. California State law requires the use of a federally approved car seat.
Your baby must always be placed in the car seat, beginning with the ride home from the hospital.
Read more about how to prepare for your baby's arrival
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First-time mother Robin Hutto's biggest fear about childbirth was the pain. The Oakland resident delivered her first baby at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley last March.
Read Robin's story
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