Labor and childbirth can be both exciting and stressful experiences for a mom and her family. At Valley Baptist Health System’s The Nest, we’re here to provide you with a safe and comfortable environment from the moment you step into one of our labor-and-delivery hospitals in the Rio Grande Valley to the time you go home with your newborn. Everything you may need during childbirth is right here, including:
- Access to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) should the circumstances call for it
- Private labor and delivery rooms designed to make you feel at home
- 24/7 OB/GYN hospitalist program
- Private postpartum suites
- Guest accommodations for your support person
- Lactation consultations and breastfeeding support
What Do I Need To Know Before Labor and Delivery?
Most women give birth between the 38th and 41st week of pregnancy, but there is no way to know exactly when you will start feeling signs of labor. When labor begins, the cervix opens and the uterine muscles contract at regular intervals. A woman having her first baby may labor 12 to 18 hours, while women who have given birth before typically labor eight to 10 hours. Even so, your labor may not be like any other women’s and may differ with each child you give birth to.
The following are some changes that may indicate that you’re already laboring:
- Lightening – the sensation of feeling “lighter” because your baby has dropped lower in your pelvis and isn’t pressing much on your diaphragm. It can happen from a few weeks to hours before labor starts.
- Loss of the mucus plug – the mucus plug forms at the cervix during pregnancy to prevent infection or bacteria from entering the womb and reaching your baby. The mucus plug gets pushed into the vagina a few days before labor starts or at the beginning of labor. Loss of the mucus plug can be marked by an increased vaginal discharge that’s clear, pink or slightly bloody. Some women lose their mucus plug in one glob or gradually over time.
- Contractions – your contractions become stronger at shorter intervals. You also feel cramping and lower back pain that does not go away.
- Membrane rupture (water breaking) – you may feel this as water that gushes or trickles from your vagina. It means the amniotic sac surrounding your baby during pregnancy is breaking.
Call your doctor or midwife if you experience any of these signs even if it happens weeks before your due date, as you may be experiencing preterm labor. Follow their advice whether it’s time to go to The Nest at Valley Baptist Health Hospital or if you can go to their clinic first.
When To Go to the Hospital for Labor?
Please go to the hospital as soon as your water breaks, if you’re having regular contractions in three- to 10-minute intervals or if you need pain relief. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you are experiencing a medical emergency. Please also go to the hospital if you experience any of these signs:
- Water breaking but no contractions
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Constant, severe contractions with no relief in between
- You feel the fetus moving less often
How Long Do Contractions Last?
Early labor contractions last about 30 to 70 seconds at 5- to 10-minute intervals. The contractions are so strong and will get stronger over time that you may be unable to walk or talk during them. Call your healthcare provider immediately if you think you’re in labor, no matter what time this happens.
However, not all contractions may mean you’re in labor. Some contractions may happen on and off before true labor begins. False labor, also known as Braxton Hicks contractions, is the body’s way of preparing a mother for true labor by softening and thinning the cervix. You may experience them weeks before your due date for childbirth. Here’s a summary of some differences between true labor and false labor, though sometimes only a vaginal exam from an OB can confirm if you’re already in labor:
| True Labor Contractions | False Labor Contractions |
- Have a pattern and come at regular intervals
- Contractions get closer together as time goes on
- Each lasts about 60 to 90 seconds
| - Don’t have a pattern and don’t get closer together
|
- Persist even when you move around or rest
| - May stop when you rest, walk or change position
|
| - Are weak and don’t get much stronger
- May start strongly, then weaken
|
- Usually start in the back and move to the front
| - Usually felt only in the front
|
The Stages of Labor
There are three stages that occur during labor. By learning about them, you can better prepare yourself for what may happen. These stages are for spontaneous vaginal baby delivery. If you have a planned induction or cesarean, talk to your doctor about what to expect from these birthing experiences.
First Stage of Labor
Early Labor: You will begin to feel irregular contractions that may be uncomfortable but not painful. This means that your cervix is starting to dilate and efface. You may be in early labor for several hours or several days. During this time, relax and focus on your comfort. You may also go for a walk, shower, or eat a snack. When your mucus plug–sometimes called the “bloody show”–discharges, it may mix with a little bit of blood in your cervix, which can cause a pink, red or brown-hued discharge. Call your doctor or head to a hospital if you experience significant, heavy bleeding or your water breaks.
Active Labor: Your contractions will become stronger, closer and more frequent. This is when your cervix dilates from 6 centimeters to the full 10 centimeters. Your water may break during this time. You might start to feel nauseous and extreme discomfort. Just keep breathing and stay calm. If you have not traveled to the hospital yet, now is the time. The length of time varies for active labor. You may choose to have an epidural at this time, which could slow down your labor process. Transition is the final part of active labor, where your contractions are very close. You may start feeling the urge to push, so you should let your nurse or doctor know. Again, an epidural or other pain relief medication could slow this down.
Second Stage of Labor
Your baby is born during stage two of delivery. The pushing process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours. As you push during a contraction, think about where your baby is coming out of and focus your energy on that area. After the head is delivered, followed by the rest of the body, your physician may have to clear your baby’s airway. Afterward, you can hold the baby in your arms. The umbilical cord will be cut, and other routine steps will follow. Many mothers prefer to hold their baby for skin-to-skin contact right after childbirth. Talk to your healthcare provider about your wants and preferences for the immediate aftermath of your childbirth.
Third Stage of Labor
The third and final stage of the labor process is delivering the placenta. You can still hold your baby while this happens, so just relax and soak in the moment. This is a good time to try establishing breastfeeding if that is your plan, but do not feel stressed. You will still feel mild contractions. Your doctor may ask you to push to deliver the placenta. After this, your doctor will massage your abdomen to help your uterus contract. If you experience any tearing or have had an episiotomy, you may need stitches now.
What Is an OB Hospitalist?
An OB hospitalist is a physician focusing on the general medical care of OB patients. Our OB hospitalists at Valley Baptist Health System’s The Nest are here to help give you peace of mind by supporting your birth plan and doctor or midwife. Our mission is to ensure every expectant mother gets to see a physician right away for urgent care. Our OB hospitalists:
- Are immediately available on site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Will coordinate with your physician, midwife and other care providers to help ensure continuity of care and a collaborative birthing experience.
- Can care for you in your doctor’s absence. They can examine you and evaluate the progress of your labor, review test results and fetal heart tracings.
- Will address any evolving issues and help provide you and your baby with a safe delivery, if needed.
- Will always be onsite to visit you, monitor your progress and discuss any questions or concerns you or your family may have.
- Are experienced in providing emergent care and are onsite if an emergency occurs.
- Are highly skilled in a variety of delivery techniques, including vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC).
What Is a Level III NICU?
Many expectant mothers don’t know there will be complications giving birth until the day arrives. A baby may require special care in the NICU when there are complications during childbirth, such as illness, delivery difficulties, premature delivery or birth before 37 weeks gestation. A hospital like the Valley Baptist Health System with Level III NICU is well-equipped and staffed with highly trained doctors, nurses and a broad range of specialists to care for premature babies and those with more serious issues.
As you research hospitals to determine where you’d like to receive labor and delivery services, it’s important to check the hospital’s neonatal care designation. While an expectant mom rarely expects complications giving birth that require special care, you’ll want to know help is there if you need it.
Schedule Your Appointment
Receive the labor and delivery care you deserve so your baby has a healthy and safe entry into the world. Contact us at 956-394-1316 to schedule an appointment.
