Common Questions and Answers About Labour and Delivery
Labour and Delivery
I had a caesarean section last time with my first baby, does this mean I'll have to have another one again?
Answer:
The simple answer is no. If the reason for the first caesarean section repeats itself, eg if the baby is coming feet first, then it may be necessary to repeat a c-section. In general, however, women who try for a vaginal delivery after a c-section in their first pregnancy have a better than 70% chance of success.
How will I know I'm in labour?
Answer:
Every woman is different. If this is your first baby then you will need to watch for any of the following signs.
Your waters break. They may break with a gush or a trickle. Some women experience a gush of fluid and are positive that their waters have broken. Others may just feel 'damp'. The amniotic fluid surrounding the baby (the waters) has a different odour to urine. If you are unsure, call your doctor or midwife.
You get uterine contractions or backache. For most women this is a very specific type of pain in that it is not constant but intermittent. It generally starts with irregular uterine contractions that vary in length and strength. These become longer, stronger and more frequent over time. In some women, they may start with one every hour and gradually build up to one every 20 minutes then one every 15 minutes and gradually become more and more frequent. You will get a break and be pain free during these contractions. They will become longer also as labour starts. At the start, they may last 15 or 20 seconds and as they become more frequent they can last up to one minute. Some women experience all the pain in their lower back (at the base of your spine) and if this is the case with you then you should observe the pains for a pattern.
Some women experience regular painful contractions that last for an hour or so, then stop completely. Whatever happens you should consult with your doctor or midwife if you are worried or concerned. Don't be sitting at home worrying when a phone call to your doctor or midwife can provide information and advice. If this is your second or third baby, your labour may start as it did on the previous occasions or it may be entirely different. Remember, constant abdominal pain is never normal.
You have a show. This is a blood stained mucous discharge from your vagina. It is very different from fresh bleeding in that it is not free flowing and is generally sticky in consistency. Having a show is ongoing in that you will continue to have it throughout labour. Having a show does not necessarily mean you will go into labour immediately. Some women will go into labour several days after first noticing a show.
I have heard about something called a Domino Scheme at my hospital. What is it and is it available in all hospitals?
Answer:
The Domino/Home Birth Scheme is designed for women who have been assessed as "low risk", that is who have no medical or surgical history which could affect their pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy you will be followed by a team of midwives who will provide maternity care in conjunction with your GP. Some of the visits can take place at your local health centre, or at home, depending on where you live. You can also choose to deliver your baby at home or in the hospital, and one of the midwives will attend the birth of your baby. As part of the scheme, you are entitled to an early hospital discharge (6 to 24 hours after the birth), provided all is well. Once back home, you will receive midwifery care until baby is 10 days old, and receive post-natal support with infant feeding etc.
The Community and Domino Midwives schemes are currently operating out of The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital (Holles Street), and the Rotunda Hospital, and is limited to specific geographical areas of Dublin, Greater Dublin, Kildare and North Wicklow. Similar programmes have been developed in Waterford and Wexford, Galway and Cork, so make sure you contact the community midwives in your local hospital.
I am pregnant with my second child and I would like to have a home birth this time around. Am I still covered by my health insurer, or will I get anything towards the costs?
Answer:
All health insurers in Ireland provide contributions towards the cost of a home birth, however these vary depending on your current provider and the type of cover you have chosen.
You should expect an allowance which ranges between EUR2,000 and EUR3,500 approximately. Contact your health insurer ahead of your baby's arrival to clarify their contribution if you are unsure about your cover.
Worth knowing too: where a woman chooses to have a home birth in Ireland and the HSE cannot provide the service, some areas in the HSE provide a home birth grant towards the cost of contracting the services of a private midwife, so you should get in touch with the Health Board for your region.
For more information on pregnancy and expert advice, please visit Ireland's largest pregnancy and parenting website, http://www.eumom.ie.
I had a caesarean section last time with my first baby, does this mean I'll have to have another one again?
Answer:
The simple answer is no. If the reason for the first caesarean section repeats itself, eg if the baby is coming feet first, then it may be necessary to repeat a c-section. In general, however, women who try for a vaginal delivery after a c-section in their first pregnancy have a better than 70% chance of success.
How will I know I'm in labour?
Answer:
Every woman is different. If this is your first baby then you will need to watch for any of the following signs.
Your waters break. They may break with a gush or a trickle. Some women experience a gush of fluid and are positive that their waters have broken. Others may just feel 'damp'. The amniotic fluid surrounding the baby (the waters) has a different odour to urine. If you are unsure, call your doctor or midwife.
You get uterine contractions or backache. For most women this is a very specific type of pain in that it is not constant but intermittent. It generally starts with irregular uterine contractions that vary in length and strength. These become longer, stronger and more frequent over time. In some women, they may start with one every hour and gradually build up to one every 20 minutes then one every 15 minutes and gradually become more and more frequent. You will get a break and be pain free during these contractions. They will become longer also as labour starts. At the start, they may last 15 or 20 seconds and as they become more frequent they can last up to one minute. Some women experience all the pain in their lower back (at the base of your spine) and if this is the case with you then you should observe the pains for a pattern.
Some women experience regular painful contractions that last for an hour or so, then stop completely. Whatever happens you should consult with your doctor or midwife if you are worried or concerned. Don't be sitting at home worrying when a phone call to your doctor or midwife can provide information and advice. If this is your second or third baby, your labour may start as it did on the previous occasions or it may be entirely different. Remember, constant abdominal pain is never normal.
You have a show. This is a blood stained mucous discharge from your vagina. It is very different from fresh bleeding in that it is not free flowing and is generally sticky in consistency. Having a show is ongoing in that you will continue to have it throughout labour. Having a show does not necessarily mean you will go into labour immediately. Some women will go into labour several days after first noticing a show.
I have heard about something called a Domino Scheme at my hospital. What is it and is it available in all hospitals?
Answer:
The Domino/Home Birth Scheme is designed for women who have been assessed as "low risk", that is who have no medical or surgical history which could affect their pregnancy. Throughout your pregnancy you will be followed by a team of midwives who will provide maternity care in conjunction with your GP. Some of the visits can take place at your local health centre, or at home, depending on where you live. You can also choose to deliver your baby at home or in the hospital, and one of the midwives will attend the birth of your baby. As part of the scheme, you are entitled to an early hospital discharge (6 to 24 hours after the birth), provided all is well. Once back home, you will receive midwifery care until baby is 10 days old, and receive post-natal support with infant feeding etc.
The Community and Domino Midwives schemes are currently operating out of The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital (Holles Street), and the Rotunda Hospital, and is limited to specific geographical areas of Dublin, Greater Dublin, Kildare and North Wicklow. Similar programmes have been developed in Waterford and Wexford, Galway and Cork, so make sure you contact the community midwives in your local hospital.
I am pregnant with my second child and I would like to have a home birth this time around. Am I still covered by my health insurer, or will I get anything towards the costs?
Answer:
All health insurers in Ireland provide contributions towards the cost of a home birth, however these vary depending on your current provider and the type of cover you have chosen.
You should expect an allowance which ranges between EUR2,000 and EUR3,500 approximately. Contact your health insurer ahead of your baby's arrival to clarify their contribution if you are unsure about your cover.
Worth knowing too: where a woman chooses to have a home birth in Ireland and the HSE cannot provide the service, some areas in the HSE provide a home birth grant towards the cost of contracting the services of a private midwife, so you should get in touch with the Health Board for your region.
For more information on pregnancy and expert advice, please visit Ireland's largest pregnancy and parenting website, http://www.eumom.ie.
