Episode 4: Hospital Birth

Series 2

See Episode 4: Hospital Birth...

See Stages of Labour...

Watch Episode 4...

NB: This programme is available to view within the island of Ireland only. It will be available until 24th July 2008.

Labour Information

3 Stages of Labour

• The first stage of labour, lasts from the first regular painful contraction until the cervix dilates to10 centimetres.
• The second stage is the actual pushing out and birth of the baby
• The third is the delivery of the placenta and membranes
  
  

Induction

Induction is when your labour is started artificially before you go into spontaneous labour.

Induction can involve three stages...

• First a pessary is inserted to ripen the cervix
• Then the waters or membranes are broken
• Finally an oxytocin drip is attached to Mum... to increase contractions
  

Reasons for induction...

• Your waters have broken but labour isn't starting
• That the baby is no longer thriving in the womb
• That the mother has a pre-existing medical condition that demands it.
• Or like Blainagh you've passed your due date
  
  

Epidural

An Epidural is a regional nerve block

• Anaesthetic is given through a needle into the epidural space in the spine
• It numbs the lower part of the body significantly reducing pain
• Timing is important; you should be dilated to at least 3 centimetres, but no more than 8, as at that stage most of the work is done.
  
  

Established Labour

Established labour is taking place when you are having contractions that are

• intensifying in strength
• lasting about 45 seconds and increasing
• and occurring at shorter intervals...

 

Useful Contacts:

Baby Scan
www.babyscan.ie