Women's Health

1. How will I know when I'm in labor?

It is often difficult to know when you are in true labor. Your body will give you signals, but there is no guarantee that you will experience them. Here are some signs to watch for:

Do not wait for your water to break before calling your doctor–for most women this does not happen until the labor has progressed.

If you notice any bright red discharge call your health care provider immediately! Pinkish spotting (bloody show) is normal after 37 weeks, particularly after you have had a vaginal exam, have had sex, or are in early labor. Call your health care provider if you experience any bleeding that occurs before 37 weeks. This is not normal.

2. What should I expect when I get to the hospital?

Strong Memorial Hospital

When you first get to the hospital, you will go to the Birth Center or Labor and Delivery area, based on your birthing choices, room availability, and instructions from your health care provider. You either may walk or need to take a wheelchair, depending on how you feel. Go through the main lobby of the hospital to the red elevators. Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. There, you will be greeted by the secretary on the triage unit. At the triage unit, you will be checked and directed to the appropriate unit. When you arrive on the unit, you will need to change into a hospital gown and give a urine sample. The nurse will help you into bed, ask questions about your health history, and take your temperature, pulse, and blood pressure. A fetal monitor may be used to listen to your baby’s heart rate and to record any contractions which you may be having. The monitor is attached to a computer screen, so you can also see the tracing or recording of your baby’s heart beat. You may have a sterile exam with a speculum placed into the vagina to see if your water has broken. An exam can tell if your cervix (the opening to your uterus where the baby will come out) is dilating (opening).

Highland Hospital

(need specific info about highland here)

3. What will happen during labor?

During labor, your uterus (which is made up of muscles) will tighten and relax. This causes your cervix to open. Once the cervix is fully open (dilate), you will start to push the baby down through the birth canal. Labor is hard work and can be uncomfortable.

Every labor is different, but labor usually starts out slowly, with cramps. The cramps become stronger and closer together. As you become more uncomfortable, you can try different ways to help make labor go smoothly.

Your amniotic sac (bag of water) may break on its own before or during labor. Sometimes, your health care provider may decide to break the bag of water if it has not broken on its own. This is not any more uncomfortable than a vaginal exam. The amniotic fluid may feel warm as it leaks out. The fluid will continue to lead during labor. Your contractions may or may not feel stronger to you after your water has broken. You may need to wear a sanitary pad if you are out of bed or walking.

First stage–During the first stage of labor uterine contractions begin. They will be relatively mild at first and they will increase in intensity and duration as labor progresses. Usually contractions will become more frequent after your water breaks. Throughout this stage your cervix thins (effaces) and opens (dilation) and by the time you are ready to deliver your baby your cervix will be dilated to 10 centimeters. The typical duration of this stage is 13 hours–if it's your first child.

Second stage–During the second stage of labor your cervix will open sufficiently and your baby begins to move down the birth canal. At this time you will push the baby through the birth canal and you'll finally be able to meet your new baby. The typical duration of this stage is 90 minutes.

Third stage–In the third stage you will deliver the placenta or afterbirth. This usually happens within 30 minutes after the birth.

4. How long will my labor last?

If it's your first child, labor will typically last between 12 and 24 hours, with an average of 14 hours. However, if you've given birth before, labor usually averages between 6 and 8 hours.

5. Is there anything I can do to lessen the pain of the contractions?

6. What if something doesn't go as planned?

Be assured, many women give birth to healthy babies with no complications at all. If complications do occur, they are many times related to timing and your doctor or other health care provider know exactly how to handle them. Serious problems are relatively rare and often can be anticipated.