Childbirth Options
There are so many decisions parents must make before giving birth to their baby. It’s not just about how the baby is going to be delivered, but by who and where? Hospitals are the most common place delivery happens since Obstetricians and family practitioners can be found there. However homes and birthing centers are becoming increasingly popular, along with the help of trained and certified midwives.
Who Can Deliver Your Baby
Obstetricians are medical doctors specializing in pregnancy, birth and labor, and deliver babies in hospitals. Family practitioners are a wonderful option since most are familiar with the medical history of the patients. Family doctors specialize in many fields, including pregnancy, birth and labor which allow them to identify and assist with the proper delivery options. They tend to handle low risk pregnancies and like obstetricians, also deliver babies in hospitals.
There are two types of midwives you can choose from. A certified-nurse midwife has a nursing degree plus additional training in this field. A direct-entry midwife receives extensive training and education in the field of pregnancy, birth and labor through various programs such as apprenticeship, self-study, or through programs offered by educational institutions. Midwives are a great alternative for a mother who would rather have a low-profile birth, outside of the hospital, usually in the mother’s home or at a birthing center. Check with your State to find out if DEM’s are recognized.
How You Can Deliver Your Baby
There is one of two ways you can give birth to your baby, vaginally or cesarean (C-Section). However, there are a few different options you have when deciding how you’re going to give birth.
Assisted deliveries are done usually at the hospital, through the vagina and after the anesthetics have begun to work. It’s when the doctor or a nurse applies minimal suction to the baby’s head. As the baby is coming out, the mother gives her final push and the doctor helps the baby’s head through the birthing canal by using either forceps (similar to tongs) or a vacuum extractor (set at consistent speed).
A Cesarean birth happens when the baby is delivered through an incision in the abdominal wall and uterus. This procedure is done for a number of reasons, but mainly when delivery through the vagina is not an option and poses risks to the mother and/or baby. Some risks include fetal distress, uterine rupture, STD’s, or when the cervix isn’t dilating completely.
VBAC, or vaginal birth after cesarean, is an option for a second time mother. Most people assume that after a C-Section, vaginal delivery is impossible, when in fact the opposite is true. There is a greater risk of a uterine rupture, but if closely monitored, a vaginal delivery can be achieved.
Water births are becoming increasingly popular since the 1990’s. A mother gives birth in a warm tub of water, usually assisted by a midwife or family doctor in a quiet location like the mothers home. The idea is to bring the baby into the world gently, almost tricking the baby into thinking the warm water is actually the amniotic sac it has been resting in for the past 9 months. This option is said to be less stressful for everyone involved, and the water is a great way to reduce pain while the delivery is taking place.
