Signs Requiring Immediate Attention

 
While most deliveries go through without much complication, the following are some signs that the mother should seek immediate medical assistance:

Complication	Reason for Concern
Vaginal bleeding	Bright red bleeding at any time could mean abruption - separation of placenta from uterus or placenta previa - placenta covering the cervix. Scant blood from pelvic exams is not a cause for concern.
Preterm labor	Contractions or release of fluid 3 weeks before due date could mean preterm labor.
Severe and constant abdominal pain	May indicate placental separation or an infection.
Umbilical cord prolapse	A loop of umbilical cord may project through the cervix and from the vagina, blocking the baby's blood supply.
Decreased fetal movement	While babies tend to settle down a few days before birth, it may be a problem if they have stopped moving altogether. Use a fetal activity chart to track the baby's movements.

Hospital Admission Procedures

Pre-registration at the mother's hospital can help remove some of the time consuming procedures associated with hospital admission. Visiting a delivery room and meeting the staff members who will take care of the mother may make the mother feel more relaxed about the labor while getting a general idea of the birthing routine.

At first the mother's physician will review her medical records which will let the staff know of the details of her pregnancy upon admitting. The mother's doctor may also ask her questions about the progress of her labor, regarding whether her water has broken and the frequency of her contractions.

The mother's vital signs, including her pulse, blood pressure and temperature, will be taken at admission and throughout her labor. The physician will listen to the baby's heartbeat using an electronic fetal monitor and palpate the mother's abdomen to determine the baby's position.

Some commonly ordered lab tests include a CBC (complete blood cell count) which checks for anemia, a condition of low blood iron levels. As well, a cervical culture may be used to check for infection.

A vaginal exam will check the effacement and dilation of the mother's cervix and determine whether the 'presenting part' of the baby is the head or bottom.

Some women used to have enemas before birth, in order to clear the bowel of potentially infectious material. Usually, the bowel will empty itself on its own during labor and sometimes a bit of stool is excreted during birth. Don't worry about this or be embarrassed, it is a sign that the pushing in labor is being done correctly. Shaving the pubic area is not always necessary unless doctors are preparing the mother for an episiotomy.

Print this page