Medical Procedures during Birth and Delivery

Like many women you must also be preparing for a hospital birth. So, you should be familiar with the normal hospital procedures so that you can weigh up your options and take right decisions during childbirth. Remember, you can refuse going through any of the procedures if you feel uncomfortable with it.

Although it is true that you cannot have everything exactly as you planned or thought of, but you can take decisions only when you are familiar with the pros and cons of all. So, for this you need to know everything beforehand.

IV - Normally when a pregnant woman is admitted, it is a normal procedure that IV is inserted and the reason explained is to maintain the fluid and medicines. Well, if you are planning for a normal delivery and you find yourself fit enough, there is no need to put this. However, you can allow the heparin lock so that if there is any emergency, the IV can be inserted without any problem.

Electronic Fetal Monitor (EFM) - EFM is hooked up to monitor the heart beat of the unborn child as soon as a pregnant woman is admitted to the hospital. The alternative is a Doppler and this does not require any hooking up.

Labour Augmentation - According to hospitals, there is a certain time within which the child arrives. If the process takes longer time, they give pitocin to speed up the labour. However, this is other side effects and the chances of c-section increases.

Amniotomy - In this process, your water is broken artificially to speed up the labour. However, this increases the risk of infection.

Vaginal Exams - Vaginal exams are carried out frequently in hospitals. This helps the doctor and the nurse to judge how long your labour is going to take. This increases the risk of infection and also hampers the speed of delivery. If you concentrate on the intensity and duration of contractions, you will be able to tell the doctor that labour is progressing.

Position - Usually the hospitals assume that every woman in labour would prefer pushing on her back. If you want to give birth in any other position, let your doctor know about it.

Episiotomy - Hospitals perform episiotomy rather frequently. However, it has been observed that this can be avoided in many types of childbirths. You can tell your doctor to perform episiotomy only when it is extremely necessary.

Forceps and Vacuum - Vacuum extractions and forceps have been used very commonly in hospitals during childbirth. Remember, this is harder for you and your child as well. Avoiding the back position for pushing, you can avoid these procedures too.

All these procedures are performed so that the childbirth gets easier. If you want to avoid any of these, you simply ask the doctor beforehand and let him know about your concern.