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.
Birthing Tours
We understand the importance of visiting the place where you plan to have your baby before your delivery. With our Labor and Delivery tours, you can see our Labor and Delivery Suite, meet members of our dedicated Obstetric team, and our hope, reduce any concerns you may have.
We invite you and your support person to schedule a tour and obtain more information about your intended birthing experience.
Tours are available, during both day and evening hours, and are available throughout your pregnancy. We recommend scheduling a tour during the third trimester, ideally between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation.
We look forward to caring for you and your baby!
If you have difficulties, we can be reached at 914.493.2252.
Recorridos de Salas de Labor y Parto
Entendemos la importancia de visitar el lugar donde planea tener a su bebé antes del parto. Con nuestros recorridos de sala de Labor y sala de Parto, puede ver nuestra Suite de Labor y de Parto, conocer a los miembros de nuestro dedicado equipo obstétrico, con la esperanza de reducir cualquier inquietud que pueda tener.
Les invitamos a usted y a su acompañante a programar su recorrido para que obtenga más información sobre su futura experiencia de parto.
Los recorridos están disponibles, tanto de día como de noche, y están disponibles durante todo el embarazo. Recomendamos programar un recorrido durante el tercer trimestre, idealmente entre las 30 y 34 semanas de gestación.
Esperamos con interés poder cuidar de usted y de su bebé.
Si tiene dificultades, puede ponerse en contacto con nosotros en 914.493.2252.
