Hospital-birth
Around the last month of your delivery you should know where you want to give birth. Perhaps the choice is related to your insurance, the expected difficulties or experiences with a previous birth (for example, a caesarean section). You can choose a hospital in your neighborhood. Not all hospitals have a maternity ward. A hospital with a maternity ward is also called birth clinic or women's clinic.
If you have a cesarean section or are expected to have problems, you need a hospital where medical specialists are present and are able to act where necessary. Women who live too far away from a hospital can not give birth at home. After all, if there were complications during childbirth it would take too long before you can reach the hospital.
Before the delivery you have the opportunity to take a look during open days. Find out how you can make it as easy as possible for the midwife, doctors and yourself so that you can look forward to childbirth with confidence. Register in advance if that has not been done yet.
Who is present at the birth?
Some - but not all - centers have no problems with the presence of others besides the father and perhaps your own doctor or midwife. If you want to take a special friend or relative with you, you will need to discuss this in advance.
Who cuts the umbilical cord?
Sometimes the father does this to be involved in the delivery process, but sometimes doesn't want to. Speak to him beforehand.
Can you breastfeed?
It is easiest when you pick up the breastfeeding routine immediately after birth. Therefore, decide before giving birth if you want to breastfeed. As you probably already know, breastfeeding is recommended during the first year of the baby's life. Hospitals also encourage this choice and will help as much as possible with your baby to make this possible.
If for any reason you cannot or decide not to breastfeed, baby powder milk after breast milk is the best choice.
Before you leave the hospital
Although hospital stays are getting shorter and shorter, there are a number of things that have to happen before you can go home again. Hospital staff will first have to determine whether your condition is stable and whether the baby is developing as expected. If you do not know enough about breastfeeding, you can now ask about it so that you are not in doubt at home.
Immediately after the delivery
Baby's first check-up. Where is my baby going? You might wonder why the sisters take your baby from you immediately after birth. A number of things are being done in the delivery room, some of them may be urgent for baby's sake. Fathers can possibly take pictures if that is allowed.
Hospital staff record the health of the baby and do some routine activities including:
- Check baby's breathing, see if her respiratory system is free. They may also remove mucus and liquid from baby's nose.
- Check the heart and circulation to ensure that your baby adapts well to life outside the protected environment of the uterus. A good indication of the circulation is obtained from the color of the baby. (a blue color indicates that the baby is not getting enough oxygen).
- Determine the Apgar score. This rapid evaluation of your baby's health happens 1 to 5 minutes after delivery (top score is 10) Parents often find this score more important than the nurses because it is not a good indication for long-term health.
- Taking body measurements, weight and height.
- Droppering antibiotics into the eyes to protect the eyes from infections.
- Giving a vitamin K injection to the baby to prevent serious bleeding problems that can occur in babies who do not have enough vitamin K after birth.
- Applying a nameplate (leg and / or bracelet) before the baby is out of sight of the mother to avoid confusion.
- Perform a physical examination within 24 hours to detect any early problems.
In addition to checking the baby, you are also checked for the following points:
- Blood pressure and temperature - to see if they return to normal and to make sure there is no infection.
- Episiotomy - to see if the healing is going well.
- Urination - Being sure that you can urinate without a catheter.
- Uterus - this must return to its normal state after birth.
- Vaginal bleeding - this will continue for a few days, but will decrease.
The staff will also encourage you to quickly go to the toilet. A bidet is useful to clean the area around the vagina or, if possible, take a shower in order to rinse yourself nice and clean.
Also see these information articles: · Acupuncture · Doula · Induction · Pain · Preparations · Waterbirth
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