Going the maternity hospital

07.9.2012

When should you leave home.

When you notice rhythmic (every five to ten minute) uterine contractions so that your belly gets hard and you already feel pain in the back and in the middle and low abdomen.
When you feel a fluid leakage from the vagina, greater than usual, which is probably “water breaking”.
When you see blood from the vagina. A small amount may come from the softened cervix and be the starting point of labour, but it could also be a warning sign of a complication, so call your doctor and go immediately to the hospital.

What to expect will happen at the hospital.

You and your partner will go to your room at the delivery ward.
Fetal pulses and contractions will be monitored and recorded by the cardiotocograph.
When contractions become quite painful, you may ask for epidural.
The contractions shorten and dilate the cervix. They also push the baby down. When the dilation is complete, the first stage of labour is over.
In the second stage, you will probably push the baby to the vagina every time there is a contraction.
When the head of your baby appears to the vaginal entry, your doctor might perform an episiotomy. Then your baby is born and the second stage of labour ends.
After a few minutes, the placenta will also be delivered and the third stage is completed. Your doctor will check your cervix and vaginal wall for any injuries and put some sutures to the episiotomy.
Your baby is wiped and given to you. You may start breastfeeding.
You will stay in the delivery room for close monitoring, for about 2 hours.

What to expect during your stay at the hospital.

Although you have given birth vaginally, you will remain in bed for 3-4 hours to prevent orthostatic hypotension that epidural anaesthesia can cause.
You can drink and eat freely.
When you get up, you can walk and wash.
You will stay in the hospital for 1-3 nights.
You can choose whether you want your baby to be with you at all the time, or if you prefer, the staff will bring it to you 5-6 times a day for breastfeeding.
A paediatrician will let you know about your baby’s health. If the baby’s bilirubin rises in the blood and jaundice appears, the baby might need phototherapy for 1-2 days.
Your doctor and midwife will visit you daily, and you can share with them all your questions.