Labor is Like A Card Game!

1. Labor is Like A Card Game!

2. You have to make the best hand with what you get! • Sometimes you get dealt a great hand, sometimes you have to look at what else is available, and sometimes you just get dealt stinky cards! • When life gives you lemons – make lemonade!

3. You may be able to discard some cards you get dealt. • Always ask about your options! • Hire a doula to help you in this process.

4. You can’t know what cards you will be dealt before the game starts. • Birth plans should not be written in stone. • Flexibility and a good attitude go a long way!

5. The people you choose to play cards with, will often determine how much fun you have playing the game. • Choose your support team wisely. • Consider a doula. • Do NOT let anyone in to view the birth that you do not honestly want there deep in your heart!

6. It is a good idea to know the rules of the game before you start playing. • Read about your options. • Educate yourself and your husband/wife. • Attend a good childbirth class that meets your needs.

7. Stages of Labor

8. Medications Offered in Childbirth

9. Narcotics/Analgesics • Commonly used in early-active labor. • If given late in labor, the baby must be given an antidote called Narcan.

10. Narcotic Advantages: • Help relax mother • Takes the edge off • Can speed labor if mother is “fighting it” • When her head’s in the way, her cervix can’t dilate.

12. Narcotic Disadvantages: • Itching • Allergic reaction • Vomitting • Do enter the blood stream and baby may be lethargic at birth • Can produce very sleepy or high feeling • Can slow labor • Breastfeeding may be adversely affected • May require additional intervention

13. Epidural Best received between 4-7 centimeters

14. Receiving an Epidural

15. Epidural Advantages: • Mother remains awake and the epidural does not affect her state of mind • Usually takes away the pain of labor • Very little of the medication enters the baby’s blood stream.

18. Giving Birth with an Epidural

19. Epidural Disadvantages: • Mother and baby must be constantly monitored • Can slow labor • Pushing stage may be prolonged • Increased risk for instrumental delivery (forceps or suction) • May cause maternal fever, requiring possible separation of mother and baby and additional testing on baby • Must have IV fluids before epidural

20. Epidural Disadvantages Cont. • Must be in bed for remainder of labor • No use of gravity • Pitocin may be needed to speed labor • Mother must be catheterized • Increased risk of additional interventions and cesarean section • May cause itching and shaking • Risk of severe headache

21. Cesarean Sections The surgical removal of the fetus from mother

22. Birth by Cesarean

23. Reasons for Cesarean • Failure to progress • CPD (cephalo-pelvic disproportion) • Fetal Distress • Placenta Previa • Placental Abruption • Maternal or Fetal Medical Condition • Multiple Births • Cord Prolapse • Previous Cesarean • Fetal Malpresentation

24. How to Avoid Cesarean • Go to a childbirth class • Hire a labor doula • Consider a midwife • Avoid medication • Move around in labor • Avoid unnecessary inductions • Avoid continuous fetal monitoring • Avoid unnecessary interventions • Be an informed consumer • Stay at home early in labor • Limit medications in early labor

25. Cesarean Recovery

26. Focus on good nutrition and exercise Take a refresher birth class that supports VBAC Find caregiver/hospital who believes in VBACS ~ know their policies! Hire a doula Practice relaxation, visualization, and affirmations Write a birth plan Establish safe supportive environment Work on left-over negative emotions Learn to trust, cooperate with and listen y9ou your body and baby Try variety of positions Continue calorie and fluid intake Avoid medical intervention Avoid artificial induction Avoid an epidural – try natural pain relief Vaginal Birth After Cesarean

27. “Finding my Voice” ~ VBAC

28. BRAIN • When making a decision, we need to ask the right questions so that we can see our options clearly. This is a little acronym to remind you to use your brain when making decisions. It is useful in labor, but can be used for making all kinds of decisions along life's journey! • Benefits-- what are the benefits of doing this? • Risks-- what are the risks involved in doing this? • Alternatives-- what are the alternatives to doing this? Are there other options? • Instinct or intuition-- what is my intuition telling me to do? • Now what will happen?-- what will change if I do this?