Labor
How do I know if I am in labor?
- You are having strong and regular uterine contractions.
- You have lower abdominal and lower back pain.
- Your water breaks. This is a release of amniotic fluid from the uterus that can range in volume from person to person.
What are Braxton-Hicks contractions?
These are contractions that feel like a person may be going into labor, but this is not true labor. These contractions are irregular and do not increase in intensity or duration. They often relieve themselves when a person walks around.
How do I know if I am about to deliver my baby?
- The primary sign of imminent delivery is crowning. This means that the cervix is fully dilated, and the baby’s head is visible.
- Your contractions are getting stronger and more frequent.
- You feel an urge to push.
- Do not use the restroom, this urge is a common symptom of imminent delivery!
If EMS is not present, and as a bystander the situation requires my help, how do I deliver a baby?
- Don’t panic. Call 911.
- Help the person who is pregnant to stay calm, and let them know that you are there by their side through this process.
- If possible, find a more private location for delivery to take place.
- If contractions are five minutes apart or more, discourage pushing. This will help delay the birth until emergency medical services arrive.
- The person who is pregnant needs to remove the clothing from their lower half. They may feel more comfortable pushing from a standing or squatting position, which is fine.
- If they are crowning, encourage them to push during each contraction.
- Once the baby’s head is out of the vagina, support it. Rotate it slightly so that the shoulders can come out of the vagina during the next contraction. Once the shoulders are out, the rest of the baby comes out easily. (Note: Newborn babies are VERY slippery! Make sure to get a good grip on the baby quickly.)
- Give the baby to the person who just delivered. Ensure that skin-to-skin contact is taking place.
- No need to cut the umbilical cord. Medical help will be able to take care of everything else when they arrive.
Miscarriage
What is a miscarriage, and what are the signs and symptoms?
A miscarriage is when a fetus dies before the 20th week of pregnancy. It is often accompanied by lower abdominal pain and heavy vaginal bleeding with lots of tissue and clots.
Do I need to go to the hospital if I think I’m having a miscarriage?
You should contact your healthcare provider if you notice vaginal bleeding, because it could be a sign of a greater issue that could be harmful to your health, like internal hemorrhaging. They will be able to advise you on whether or not to head to the emergency room.
How do I support someone who is having a miscarriage?
Having a miscarriage is a painful experience, and it is normal to feel grief over the loss of a pregnancy just as you would over any other death. As a friend or loved one, don’t try to rush this grieving process. Here are some tips for how to help someone who has had a miscarriage:
- Let them know that you are here to support them. If and when they are ready to talk about this experience, you’re there to lend a listening ear.
- Remind them that having a miscarriage is common. As many as one in four pregnancies end in miscarriage.
- Encourage them to seek help through this process. There are many resources available to individuals who have lost their pregnancies, such as support groups, grief counselors, and even a person’s healthcare provider.