Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour Birth Plan

Preparation for labour and birth
Signs of labour
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Welcome and Housekeeping
Today’s learnings:
 You will understand the advantages of physical and emotional preparation for labour and birth
 You may have an increased feeling of control over preparing for labour
 You will understand what you need prior to labour and what a birth plan is
 You will know the signs of labour and when to contact the birth hospital
 You will be able to identify abnormal signs of pregnancy
 You will meet and network with other parents
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Please introduce yourself, how many
weeks pregnant are you and how are
you feeling?
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Helpful activities:
• Choose a support person
• Discuss early labour
• Yoga and relaxation exercises
• Antenatal classes
• Birth hospital contact details at hand and
your hand held record
• Pack your bag!
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Preparing Emotionally
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Preparing Physically
VIDEO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RNtHD
nQb6M
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Pelvic Tilt
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Birth Plan•
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Who do you want to be there?
What kind of support do you want?
Would you like it to be as ‘natural’ as possible?
Do you want to be active throughout your labour?
Would you like pain relief to be readily available?
Do you have a preference for one pain relief over another?
Would you like to labour in water (a bath or a shower)?
Would you like to try birthing in water?
How would you feel if you require medical intervention
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
What to bring to hospital
Valuables
Do not bring valuables. The hospital will not accept responsibility for the
loss or damage to any property left in the ward. You may like to bring a
small amount of money for telephone calls, newspapers or magazines
etc.
For you:
Current medications
Medicare card and/or private health insurance membership information
Health Care Card (if you have one)
Loose, comfortable day clothes
Nighties or pyjamas, dressing gown and slippers
Nursing bras and one box of disposable breast pads
Maternity (large) sanitary pads – five packets
Toiletries including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste,
brush/comb etc.
For your baby:
Nappies (newborn size) for use during your stay in hospital
Baby soap
A packet of cotton wool balls and cotton buds
Baby wipes - if you wish to use them
Clothes and a blanket to take the baby home in
A baby car seat/capsule of your choice must be fitted into your car
before taking the baby home
Formula – if you intend to bottle feed your baby
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Signs of Labour
• ‘The Show’ – bloody mucus
• ‘Rupture of Membranes’ is the breaking of the bag of fluid
that surrounds baby
• Regular contractions
If you live more than an hour away from your birth hospital
make sure you have a clear plan made for when you are going
to travel
If you are unsure whether to stay home or go to the hospital,
ring and speak to one of the midwives. They will ask you a
number of questions and help you decide what to do.
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Coping at the beginning of labour
• You can be up and moving about if you feel like
it
• You can drink fluids to help keep your energy
levels up
• You can also snack
• As the contractions get stronger and more
painful, you can try relaxation and breathing
exercises
• Your support person can rub your back as it
may help relieve the pain
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Visualisation
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Contact the hospital if these signs appear during
pregnancy
• Vaginal Bleeding- it is not usual to bleed
vaginally during pregnancy. Save any pads or
blood stained clothing.
• Waters Break- you may feel a sudden gush or
just a small trickle. Save any pads or wet linen
or clothing.
• Notable Change in Your Baby’s Activity- requires
assessment.
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Contact the hospital if these signs appear any other time
• Any persistent abdominal pain - Especially if this is associated with
bleeding.
• Symptoms of high blood pressure
• If any of the following occur please phone the hospital and talk to a
midwife: Significant and sudden swelling of your face and hands,
Headaches, Blurred vision, Upper abdominal pain
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Links and Resources
www.healthywa.gov.au
www.kidspot.com.au/birth/labour/preparing-for-labour
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Useful apps and reading
Offspring magazine – FREE
and produced in WA
sprout app – endorsed by the Royal Australian
and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists
Better Health Channel app
Preparation for labour and birth, signs of labour
Thank You
The next session will be covering
Labour and birth
Questions?