Labour Information
The information here covers all aspects of preparing for and being in labour.
- What should I pack in my labour bag?
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/preparing-for-the-birth/pack-your-bag-for-labour/
If you are choosing to formula feed your baby then please bring with you pre-prepared bottles of formula to feed your baby NOT powder as there are no facilities to prepare feeds.
- I think that I am in labour
If you think that you may be in labour please telephone the Maternity Unit if you are having a hospital birth, or your community midwife/continuity midwife if you have chosen to birth your baby at home. If you are being cared for by a Continuity of Carer Team please note that the Maternity Unit midwife will inform your team of your expected admission and your team midwife will meet you at the Maternity Unit. If you are planning a home birth the midwife will come to your home to perform the assessment.
If you think that you are in labour and have any of the following please ring the Maternity Unit as a matter of urgency for advice:
- Reduced fetal movements
- Your waters have broken
- You have been told you are Group B Strep Positive
- You have a severe headache, blurred vision, or generalised swelling (signs of pre-eclampsia)
- You are COVID-19 positive or self-isolating
- Your baby is breech
- You have a planned C-section booked
- Multiple pregnancy
- It is painful to pass urine
- You have itchy hands or feet
- You are before 37 weeks of pregnancy
- Sharp continuous abdominal pain
- Constant vomiting
- Contracting every two to three minutes
If you have any other condition/complication of pregnancy that is NOT listed above and you are worried then please telephone Maternity Triage 01942 778628.
- Signs and Stages of Labour
- Pain relief choices
There are various methods of pain relief to choose in labour, but this will depend upon your individual circumstances and where you have chosen to give birth.
You do not have to decide before having your baby, but it is a good idea to be aware of the pros and cons of each option before labour begins. Your midwife will also be able to give you advice whilst you are in labour and answer any questions that you may have regarding each of the options available to help you decide.
You may find the links below useful:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/pain-relief-in-labour/
The following link has resources in English and other languages regarding pain relief including epidurals and anaesthesia:
- What happens when I come into the hospital?
If you think that you might be in established labour please telephone Maternity Triage and speak to one of our midwives before attending at the hospital, so that we can prepare for your arrival.
On admission, you and your baby’s wellbeing will be assessed, and an individual plan of care made, dependent upon your medical and obstetric history.
If you are not yet in established labour and it is considered safe for you and your baby, you may be asked to return home.
If labour has begun, you will be transferred to the Delivery Suite.
If you are attending for a planned induction of labour, you will be given a time to attend the Delivery Suite when it is booked.
If you are attending for a planned C-Section, you will be given a date and time to attend the Maternity Ward when it is booked.
- What happens if I have chosen a homebirth and I think that I am in labour?
Some women decide that they want a home birth. Women who decide that they want a home birth will have a discussion at their 36-week appointment, where your midwife should have given you instructions of who to contact in the event of labour starting. If you cannot remember, do not worry; telephone the Delivery Suite and they will be able to help you.
Sometimes your plans to have a home birth may change due to medical/obstetric reasons, or you may decide even when your labour has started to birth your baby on the Delivery Suite. This is a personal choice, and we will support you in your decision.
- What is an induction of labour?
There are many reasons why you may have an induction of labour (IOL) booked. One of the most common reasons is when you have gone past your due date, around 40 weeks and 12 days. Alternatively, due to a medical condition or a problem with your pregnancy, IOL be offered to you because it is deemed to be a safer option for you and/or your baby.
Please follow the link for more information on IOL at WWL: https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/5fe0a1a1043639.15484749.pdf
- My baby is breech
- Vaginal birth after Caesarean Section
- Information for birthing partners
- What happens immediately after I have given birth?
The Third Stage of Labour
The third stage of labour is the time immediately following the birth of your baby until the when your placenta is delivered. Your placenta has been providing your baby with oxygen and nutrients whilst taking away any waste products from your baby during your pregnancy.
If you have a C-Section your placenta will be removed during the operation.
If you have a vaginal birth your placenta will be delivered vaginally after the birth of your baby.
What is an active management of the third stage of labour?
If you have a certain medical condition, for example anaemia or high blood pressure, or have had a medical intervention such as an induction of labour, you will be offered an injection in your leg. This injection can make you feel sick, but is to help your uterus (womb) contract to help your body expel the placenta after your baby is born. This is because there is an increased risk of bleeding at this time and the drug in the injection helps control bleeding.
Your midwife/obstetrician will be able to provide you with more information based on your individual circumstances to help you choose.
If you choose this method you will be given the injection in your leg a few minutes after your baby is born to make your uterus contract. This allows cord blood to pass to your baby before the cord is clamped and cut, this is called delayed cord clamping. Evidence suggests that delayed cord clamping can offer many benefits to your baby including greater oxygen in their blood whilst they adapt to life.
It can take up to 30 minutes for you to deliver your placenta if you choose an 'Active Third Stage'.
What is a Physiological Third Stage?
For women without any pregnancy or labour complications you will be offered a physiological third stage. This when there are no drugs used to make your uterus contract and your body expels the placenta naturally. This can take up to 60 minutes. During this time your midwife will observe your bleeding and the cord will not be clamped and cut until your placenta is delivered or until the cord has stopped pulsating. This enables all of the cord blood to be transferred to your baby.
For further information on the third stage of labour and delayed cord clamping follow the links below:
https://www.wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/5fdb7c480ab488.52652241.pdf
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/delayed-cord-clamping-dcc
Skin to Skin
Skin to skin immediately after your baby is born has many benefits and can be undertaken even if you have a C-Section. If you do not wish to have skin to skin with your baby, you may wish to ask your birthing partner to do this. Please click on the links below where you will find a video on meeting your baby for the first time and link to the benefits of skin to skin contact:
Baby
Immediately after your baby is born your midwife will assess your baby’s general wellbeing looking at your baby’s colour, tone, breathing and check your baby’s heart rate. This is called an APGAR score. Your midwife will also ask if it is OK to place your baby in skin to skin.
At the time when your midwife weighs your baby, she will also look inside your baby’s mouth, check the condition of the skin and once again check your baby’s overall wellbeing.
If any concerns are identified, you will immediately be informed.
Vitamin K
The link below contains further information about what happens after your baby is born, including the administration of Vitamin K and contains a link to a short video for you to watch:
https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/after-the-birth/what-happens-straight-after/
Mother
Once you have had your baby and the third stage of labour is completed your midwife will ask if it is OK to perform your clinical observations and feel your uterus (womb) to see if it is well contracted. This is because a well contracted uterus is a sign that your body is returning to its pre pregnancy state.
When you are ready you can have a shower and refreshments.
Your birthing partner can stay with you at this time.
Depending upon your individual needs and choices you will either be discharged home from the Labour Ward or transferred to the Maternity Ward.