 |
Offer you an internal vaginal examination to check the cervix, if requested by you (or if they are concerned). |
|
Be with you more frequently. |
|
Only break the waters after discussing this with you, if your labour is not progressing. |
|
Check the baby's heart rate with a hand held Doppler or Pinard's at least every 5 to 10 minutes, or after every contraction if the heart rate is varying from the normal rate. |
|
Allow you to sleep, or rest, if you experience a resting phase. |
|
Allow you to follow your own pattern of pushing and breathing. |
|
Observe you during some contractions and instruct you if they feel you need direction, until you get your own rhythm. |
|
Suggest different positions if the active pushing phase is not bringing the baby down. |
|
Run the bath for you if you wish to birth in the water or suggest the bath if you appear tense and frightened to help relax you. |
|
Allow you to stay in the shower (or on the toilet) if you are comfortable there and have no complications. |
|
Call your doctor to come (if you have one) once the head is well down or can be seen (1st babies) or once you start pushing (2nd + babies). |
|
Open the 'delivery pack' consisting of a cord clamp, scissors for cutting the cord, and a dish to put the placenta in. |
|
Routinely check the oxygen and suction equipment and the baby's resuscitation trolley in case the baby needs these after the birth. |
|
Have a warmed bunny rug ready for the baby. |
|
Put gloves on for the birth. |
|
Put to one side a syringe of syntocinon (an injection for the placenta and bleeding), but only give this if the placenta does not separate, or you start to bleed more than expected (or if you request it). |
|
Transfer you to the delivery suite for an assisted delivery, or monitoring of the baby's heart rate, if the baby is suspected of being distressed, or if after all efforts and an adequate period of time (over 2 to 4 hours for 1st babies and 1 to 2 hours for 2nd + babies) the baby is not born. |
|
Possibly stay with you in the delivery suite until the birth, if they are not too busy in the birth centre. |