A child's entry into the life of adults is a breath of fresh air and a major life-changing experience. For parents-to-be, just as taking the decision of having a baby is momentous, which method they wish to use at the time of delivery is equally critical. Today with the acute advancement of medicine and care, parents have the advantage of choosing a childbirth option.
Places Where A Baby Can be Delivered
For moms-to-be who feel safe and secure if they can experience labor like any other day of their life, a freestanding birth center is a fine option. Certified midwives in place of obstetricians take charge. These centers have provisions for medicines, IVs, oxygen and resuscitation equipment, but there are no electronic machines, no pain relievers and no facilities for a C-section. This works best for a low-risk pregnancy.
Birthing centers at hospitals work well for such moms-to-be who are unsure about themselves – they are stuck somewhere between wanting a home-like atmosphere as well as a modern, up-to-date place in case of a sudden change of decision. Such centers are also run by nurse-midwives but the advantage is that there is pain relief medication, fetal monitoring equipment and provisions for a cesarean-section if needed. This option is best suited for mothers-to-be who are undecided and would want to be taken care the next two days immediately after a difficult birth experience.
For many women, the safe haven of home is the best place to deliver their baby. They feel psychologically more relaxed and in control when they know they are within the comforts of their own home and anything they need is right there. Although the ACOG (the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) is not very keen on home birth procedures as a safe and secure option, many families today are preferring this option. Completely unassisted home birth is risky so the presence of at least a midwife is advisable. This is an option for only cases of totally uncomplicated, normal pregnancy and healthy babies and moms.
According to Samantha A. Goldstein in the June 17th 2005 USNews.com article, nearly 99% of women go for labor and delivery to the hospital. It is the safest option available with so many nurses at your beck and call to help and all equipments available in case of complications. Of course the delivery rooms of hospitals will not have the cozy comforts of a home or the home-like atmosphere of a freestanding birthing center, but it is a safe bet. Some hospitals have birthing rooms which are similar to birthing centres.
Methods of Delivery
There are two types of delivery: normal vaginal delivery (NVD) and Cesarean. NVD is what most doctors would want expectant mothers to undergo. Unless there is a complication, babies are delivered through the vagina. The entire process is monitored by nurses until the time of delivery. Then the gynecologist comes and delivers the baby. Throughout, IV fluid is given to the patient to cope with loss of water from the body, there is fetal monitoring with an external ultrasound monitor and frequent vaginal examination to check the progress. If required or requested, painkillers like the epidural is given.
Cesarean delivery is chosen by obstetricians only if there is a medical or obstetric complication in pregnancy and both mother and baby are in danger. In this case, a surgical operation has to be conducted on the abdomen of the mother and the baby has to be taken out. Emergency cesarean-sections are done if complications arise during labor.
Types of Birth Depending on the Environment
Water birth is becoming more and more popular these days. When normal delivery takes place in water at home, birthing center or hospital, it is called water birth. Water is a great pain reliever and the entire process of labor becomes less strenuous when done in warm water as it makes one feel light and allows free movement which in turn helps in relaxing the pain.
Silent birth too is becoming a phenomenon after the rumor that Hollywood couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes opted for this form of birth. During silent birth, everyone around the mom-to-be remain quiet, allowing the mother to make as much noise as she desires to relieve herself of the labor pain. Upheld by L.Ron Hubbard and Scientologists, it is still a controversial method of birthing as many doctors do not advocate it.
Hypno birth is a procedure where pain is tackled with self-hypnosis. This requires a lot of self-control and mind work. Pregnant women in labor daydream or focus as if they are engrossed in a book or movie. This helps the woman to relax because the body's natural "relaxing" hormones are released.
Birth options today are many. From the comforts of home to the security of hospitals, mothers-to-be can deliver babies normally or surgically in whichever place they feel sheltered, protected and comfortable.
Suggested Further Reading:
Childbirth Options:What's Best?
Diparati Ghosh - Hello everyone! I am Deepa Ghosh Dutta, a contributing writer of Suite101. A Masters degree holder in English Literature from Calcutta ...
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