What to expect during labor and delivery
As the months go by, you are probably looking forward to labor and delivery. You may be excited and nervous. Our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs want to help you feel confident and informed about childbirth.
Are you in labor?
How do you know if you’re in labor? It can be confusing. Here are some of the signs that you are really in labor.
Contractions that occur at regular intervals, getting stronger and with less time in between them as time goes on
Persistent lower back pain and cramping
Loss of your mucus plug, indicated by a pinkish or reddish-brown vaginal discharge
Your water breaks, which occurs when the amniotic sac breaks, causing fluid to gush or trickle out of your vagina
Call our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs if you think you’re in labor, and your contractions are five minutes or less apart. Always call immediately if your water breaks and you aren’t having contractions yet, if you are experiencing severe pain or heavy bleeding, or if you are feeling less fetal movement.
The stages of labor and delivery
You will go through three stages when you give birth.
Stage one of childbirth includes early and active labor. During early labor, your contractions get stronger and closer together. Your cervix dilates to about four to six centimeters. This stage can go on for six to 12 hours or longer. Most women spend this phase of labor at home. During active labor, contractions are three minutes apart or less. Your baby starts to move into the birth canal, causing you to feel the need to push.
Stage two starts when you are fully dilated to 10 centimeters. You will feel the urge to push between contractions. In a vaginal delivery, your baby will move down the birth canal and enter the world.
Stage three is the fastest stage of labor and delivery, and includes delivery of the afterbirth.
Inducing labor
What happens when your labor needs a helping hand to move along? There are several reasons why our OB/GYNs might choose to induce labor. Here are a few of them.
Going past your due date
Your water broke, but you aren’t going into labor
Your amniotic fluid is too low
You have preexisting health complications, such as diabetes, preeclampsia or high blood pressure
Our physicians may give you IV medications; manually break your amniotic sac; or use other techniques, such as sweeping the amniotic membrane to induce labor.
Vaginal delivery or C-section?
Most women expect to have a vaginal delivery, but sometimes, a C-section is safer for mother and baby. Our experienced physicians will determine which delivery is the healthiest choice for you.
Talk to our Austin and Dripping Springs OB/GYNs about your childbirth plan
We encourage you to talk with our physicians about your birth plan before you begin labor and delivery. Discuss things like who you want in the delivery room with you, and whether or not you want an epidural. Our physicians will work with you to help you have the safest, best birth experience possible. Contact us for an appointment.