Childbirth

“Labor is the only blind date where you know you will meet the love of your life.”  - New Mom

Childbirth

“Labor is the only blind date where you know you will meet the love of your life.”  - New Mom

Childbirth
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First, a little background information…

 The Birth Movement

There’s tons of material out there on every aspect of childbirth; it’s the culmination of a birth movement that started in the sixties, likely in response to how women were treated in a culture dominated by male OBs. 

The birth movement coincided with the rise of the women’s movement and an underlying theme that birth empowers you. The concept of a detailed birth plan reflected this personal empowerment, and a drug-free, vaginal (“natural”) birth became the ideal. From this point on, MommyLand suggested that anything other than natural childbirth was the result of not trying hard enough and certainly wasn’t good for your baby. 

That’s the vision we were sold.

Multiply this by the sheer power and volume of today’s Internet, factor in the escalated hormones moms-to-be experience, and the result is an intense quest for THE PERFECT BIRTH. 

life-mag

In reality, babies take their own path in life and it starts with delivery. The birth plan often gets tossed out the window and instead of feeling empowered, many new moms feel deflated by “failure” right when confidence is so desperately needed. The truth is no delivery is the same: Babies thrive even when C-sections and epidurals are involved, and moms thrive when they’re guilt-free.

“Be open and flexible. I had an idea of how I wanted things to go and they didn’t…But in the end, everything was totally fine.” 

–New Mom

waiting-for-birth

Your Experience

Thankfully, the birth movement made huge strides in how women experience labor and delivery: 

  • Demanded alternatives to heavy painkillers
  • Brought dads into the birthing room
  • Encouraged private, family time with the baby after delivery
  • Pushed for more breastfeeding support
  • Promoted skin-to-skin contact and more

Since then, the medical profession continues to improve outcomes for babies in amazing ways, especially for those born early—huge progress! But the volume of literature, classes and information out there still tends to create an illusion about how much sway you have over childbirth, and many physical aspects may actually be limited. 

What you can control is how you approach things. 

“You have a birth plan, but remember to be as flexible as possible. Everything that we did not want to happen happened. I had a lot of medication, I had an IV, I was pumped with fluids, and we ended up having a C-section, so I got the “best” of both worlds. Nothing happened the way we wanted it to except for this [pointing to son]. When he came out, he was very healthy.”

 - New Mom

Readying for Delivery

Here are some task lists to help you “nest” and get organized... 

PRE-BIRTH

THE BIRTH

“We had both my mom and her mom in the delivery room and, boy, was that a mistake. At one point, they were trying so hard to get pictures of the baby that I was completely pushed out.” 

 - New Dad

baby-foot

What to Expect During Labor

We refer to Dad as your labor coach, but a coach means someone who has more knowledge about what he/she is coaching than the player. As one dad-to-be said, “How can I coach something I’ve never done before?” The men at Boot Camp for New Dads prefer to think of it as your “corner man,” which is a boxing term for the person providing support to the fighter.  

The information below gives you an idea of what you can expect during labor and what your “corner man” can offer...

“What is the plan apart from to get it out? I mean, there isn’t an option to keep it in is there?”

- Keira Knightly, Mom & Actress

LABOR

WHAT IS IT?

Once in the hospital, on average, your contractions are 5 minutes apart and your cervix is dilated to 4 centimeters. This stage lasts about 6 hours (with lots of variation). Labor is really kicking in and your cervix will dilate to 8 centimeters. Pitocin can speed your labor up and an epidural can slow it down.

WHAT'S HAPPENING:

Contractions will get progressively tougher as they stretch your pelvis. Soon, you will not be able to talk through them. If pain medications are pre-arranged, now is the time. If they aren’t and you’re having a hard time coping with contractions early in active labor, they should be considered now versus later in labor. 

HOW DAD CAN HELP:

This is when your corner-man really get to work. Things he'll want to try:

  • Encourage you to walk around, but hold you during contractions
  • Suggest a rocking chair, exercise ball or a shower to speed up labor.
  • If pain meds are requested, insist they be delivered promptly.
  • Use relaxation techniques and lots of gentle encouragement.
  • Encourage you to breathe through the pain, breathing with you.
  • Keep instructions simple and repeat them.
  • Review pain control techniques.

TRANSITION

WHAT IS IT?

Labor shifts into high gear as you dilate from 8 to 10 centimeters and get ready to give birth. This is the most intense part of labor, averaging 30 minutes, when your contractions are 2-3 minutes apart and last 1-2 minutes. If you’re not in a birthing room you will be moved to one.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

This part can be scary. You may find yourself shaking, shivering, itching, nauseous/vomiting and making deep grunting sounds. Often there’s a bloody discharge. All normal. Contractions will slow down and then build up as the baby descends into your pelvis and your body gathers strength for the final push.

HOW DAD CAN HELP:

No matter how scary, Dad’s role will be to remain calm and keep reassuring you everything is OK.

  • Dad can help you resist the strong urge to push by firmly directing your breathing.
  • If you’re attempting a natural birth, you’re close to the finish. Dad will want to intensely coach you through contractions.
  • He can let you know you’re doing a great job and the end of labor is near. 
  • If you had an epidural and want to be more active in the final pushing stage, he can ask to have your epidural dose lowered at the end of transition.

PUSHING

WHAT IS IT?

You’re in the red zone! Your baby is gradually propelled through the birth canal by intense contractions of your uterus and abdomen as you push. This averages 1 hour but varies. If you’ve had an epidural, it can take a little longer, and your loss of feeling will require more intense coaching.

WHAT"S HAPPENING?

Things will speed up and it is time for you to act on your instinctual urge to push. The doctor will direct what’s going on, with the nurse giving you instructions on pushing. Dad can follow their lead and reinforce what they tell you to do. This may include a pause in pushing right before the baby is born so the doctor can take steps to prevent tears.

HOW DAD CAN HELP:

Dad should get in physically close and help you any way he can:

  • Help you maintain the position that provides you the best leverage.
  • Remind you to keep your chin down for maximum force when you push.
  • Help you adjust your position to get more leverage if needed.
  • Help you pant through contractions if the doctor says to stop pushing.
  • Ask for a mirror for you if you want to watch. 

BIRTH

WHAT IS IT?

If squatting, lying on your side or being on all fours works best for you, go with what feels right if possible. One last push and your baby is born! Dad may want to cut the cord. You’re almost finished but it will take another 10-20 minutes to deliver the placenta and get sewn up if necessary. Remember, new babies can look blue, puffy, and scrawny with cone-like or lopsided heads at first. 

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Ask the doctor to hand Dad your baby after the birth. He can welcome him to the world and then present the baby to you, announcing the sex if it’s not predetermined. As you take your baby into your arms for the first time, it’s an amazing magical moment for your new family. Take your time and enjoy!

HOW DAD CAN HELP:

  • Help you breastfeed soon after the baby is born by holding your baby’s head close to your breast.
  • Unless your baby needs special care, insist on time together. 
  • Get some pictures; ask the nurse to take a few family shots.
  • Get you a blanket if you get the chills.
  • Request pain medication if afterbirth pains bother you.

“I had eight people in my room, and when you’re in the hospital and nursing is new and you’re trying to get the baby to latch with men in there taking pictures…the first couple of times breastfeeding, it’s a production. I thought I wanted everyone in there, but with baby number two we’ll say, ‘Come on over when we’re home.’”

- New Mom 

delivery

Caesarean Birth Basics

Roughly one-third of all births in the U.S. involve surgery, and most hospitals allow Dad in the OR for a routine C-section.

  • You may be separated from your partner while prepped.
  • A drape is across your chest to block the actual surgery.
  • After birth, Baby’s lungs will be suctioned to remove fluid.
  • Dad can ask to cut the cord, even though it was cut during surgery.
  • Baby is born within the first 5 to 10 minutes, but it takes up to 45 minutes to repair the incision: you'll be able to hold your baby once this is completed.
  • Dad can hold the baby close to your face or on your chest so you can look her in the eyes, touch her, and say hello. Dad can also hold her skin-to-skin and welcome her.
  • If your baby is taken to be checked and cleaned, Dad may go with her and keep you informed. 

With a C-section, your hospital stay will be longer, so both you and Dad will have many chances to learn baby care from experts, your nurses.

Recovery will take some weeks and your mobility, especially the first week, may be limited, so Dad will be the guy to jump in and quickly learn to care for and comfort your baby. The tremendous hands-on, skin-to-skin contact he has with the baby gives him continual booster shots of oxytocin that help shape his own special bond right off the bat.

But whether you have a vaginal birth or C-section, you’ll want Dad to be fully involved in helping you and the baby once you’re home; even in uncomplicated births, you’ll need time for self-care and support from your partner.

READ! C-Section Rates Correlated to Maternal Care Providers’ Attitudes on Birth

“At the maternity tour, you can ask what the Cesarean rate is and compare it to other hospitals in your area. You can also ask your doctor’s office about their Cesarean rate.”  

- New Mom

kiss-the-baby

Dad: Your Lion at the Gate

When labor starts, you’ll want your corner man to be your lion at the gate and know that someone is looking out for your best interests and conveying your wishes. Many moms say Dad was the only one they had the energy to interact with when labor got intense; sometimes they didn’t even have the strength to communicate with hospital staff. If contractions get really bad, Dad can watch the monitor and tell you when they’re easing up.

  • Make sure Dad knows your wishes for childbirth so he can be your champion. Talk about it in advance in case unexpected circumstances arise.
  • Have a code word for when you need Dad to know you’ve reached your pain limit and need medication STAT!
  • Dads need nourishment! As your constant support, he'll need snacks and water on hand, so he doesn't have to leave the room. Nurses come and go: Dad stays.
  • Manage the atmosphere. Discuss who (if anyone) you both want in the delivery room or visiting after birth. You'll want to discuss this, because too many guests is a major complaint from new moms. 

Sometimes things can get in the way of your birth experience, and that’s exactly what it is: YOUR birth experience. If you invited someone to be present in the room but change your mind, don’t feel guilty and express your needs: they're more important than pleasing others. If you need someone to leave the room or not enter, ask the nurses for help—they’re pros.

“The teamwork started in the hospital. I had a C-section and I wasn’t really mobile. He would help by getting me stuff. Whether it was for the baby or for me, and the nurse showed him how to change a diaper…From the moment he became a dad, he just naturally did it—swaddling, everything.”

-  New Mom

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