1. Childbirth Options
Chapter 5.3

2. Prepared Childbirth
Reducing pain and fear during the birth process through education and the use of breathing and conditioning exercises.
Childbirth classes
Hospitals
Health care providers
Private teachers
Childbirth classes help parents feel more prepared and ready.
Childbirth classes help father feel more involved, especially if they could not be at doctor visits.

3. Delivery Options Health Care Professionals Places to Give Birth
Obstetricians
Family Doctors
Licensed Midwives
Places to Give Birth
Home
Hospital
Alternative Birth Center

4. Obstetricians
Specializes in the care of mothers and babies both before and right after birth.
Qualified to handle any emergencies that might occur.

5. Family Doctors
Some family doctors provide prenatal care and deliver babies.
If problems arise, they may call an obstetrician.

6. Licensed Midwives
A health care professional trained to assist women in childbirth.
Certified Nurse Midwives – Registered nurses
Certified Midwives – Still certified, but not a nurse
Must pass certificate exam before they can practice
Advanced training in normal pregnancy and birth
Will call an obstetrician if a complication arises.

7. Doula
Woman experienced in childbirth who provides advice and support to a mother during labor and after childbirth
Suggestions – how to cope with labor pains
Keep mother calm and focused during delivery
Hospitals usually allow father and doula in delivery room

8. Home Home is familiar and comfortable
If problem arises, may not have help on hand that is needed
Usually delivered by midwife for home delivery
Doula may be present along with midwife

9. Hospital 2-3 days, up to a week in hospital
Have full staff of trained professionals if something were to go wrong
Staff will teach mother how to care for baby after birth
Sanitary conditions
High-tech medical equipment
Usually doesn’t allow much food or drink, only ice chips

10. Hospitals Offer Classes that prepare for delivery and infant care
Programs for siblings and fathers
Private rooms, soft lighting, music, comfortable furniture
One room for labor, delivery, and recovery
Additional medical equipment out of sight, but ready for use if necessary
Mother and baby to room together, optional

11. Alternative Birth Center
A facility that provides a more homelike environment for labor and delivery
Food and drink offered
Emphasized on prepared, natural childbirth
Do not offer pain medication
May offer large beds for both mother and father
Music and friends usually allowed

12. Alternative Birth Center Continued
Birthing tubs for water birth
Midwives usually handle births at a birthing center
Hospitals and obstetricians are on call
Cost is less
Time spent at center is shorter
Leave within 24 hours if no complications

13. The Birth Plan
A document that outlines their preferences for the management of labor, delivery, and postpartum care.
Prevents mother from having to communicate wishes while in labor if caregivers change at last minute.
Caregiver Choices
Obstetrician
Family Practitioner
Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

14. The Birth Plan – Step 1
Where?
Hospital
Birthing Center
Home

15. The Birth Plan – Step 2 Who Will Be There? Spouse/father Mom Sister
Other kids
In-laws
Best friend
Doula
Two or more people – consider birthing center or home

16. The Birth Plan – Step 3 Child Birth Choices Lamaze Bradley
Special breathing techniques
Mental focus on eternal object
Open to pain medication during labor
Bradley
Normal breathing
Inward focus on self
Pain meds discouraged
12 – 2 hour classes
Hospital or Birthing Center
Methods taken from a range of birthing approaches

17. The Birth Plan – Step 4 Pain Relief Natural Medicine Massage
Acupressure
Water: Jacuzzi, Shower, Bath
Medicine
Epidural – blocks nerve paths
“Walking” epidural - permits mobility
I.V. Pain killers - Demerol

18. The Birth Plan – Step 5 The Big Moment Who cuts the cord?
Dad? Mom? Caregiver?
Cut right away? (Allows for cord blood banking)
Wait 5 minutes, when the cord stops pulsing? (Some people believe that getting all of the placental blood will supply baby with more oxygen while it is learning to breathe on it’s own)
Baby’s first stop?
Baby can be placed on your chest immediately, giving bonding time
A chance for your baby to nurse before routine tests begin

19. The Umbilical Cord Blood
Cord Blood Banking
What: Newborn’s blood from umbilical cord and placenta is collected at delivery and frozen.
Why: Abundance of stem cells, which could help baby (or even another family member) in case of future illness.
Cost: $300 - $1,000 for collection; $100 - $150 for yearly storage fee
Can donate to a public collection bank.

20. Birth Plan Issues Your own clothes vs. hospital gowns
Music and dimmed lights
Clear fluids vs. ice chops for hydration
Continuous vs. intermittent monitoring of baby
Medical vs. non-medical pain relief

21. Birth Plan Issues Continued
Position for pushing
Episiotomy vs. natural tearing
Emergency contingencies
Shared vs. private hospital room – Insurance may not cover private room

22. C-Section Pain Relief C-Sections account for 23% of US Births
Epidurals are used – mom stays awake
General anesthesia, which is fast acting, is used in emergency C-Sections (Mom is asleep)
Medications for incision will not enter the birth breast fluid baby drinks (Colostrum)
But once regular breast milk comes in fully a couple days later, you should not take any pain meds without consulting your doctor.

23. Assignments
Birthing Plan Assignment

24. Summary Questions How can a mother be prepared for childbirth?
What are the options for who can deliver your baby?
Where can you deliver your baby?
What is a doula and what do they do?