Birthing Environment, Labour Choices, Stages of Labour and the Role of the Midwife
Task1 - Birthing Environment and Labour Choices
In order to support woman through labour and birth, a choice of three birthing environments are provided. All of which are equipped with suitable birth facilities. NCT (2009) states that, women are entitled to choose where they give birth, with the support of their midwife- who are there as an aid to ensure a straightforward vaginal birth. Despite these options, in some cases- changes can be made at the last minute.
Home birth
A home birth proves to be the easiest option for women who are having a straightforward birth. This birthing environment promotes a natural delivery and birth and provides a minimal use of drugs that are used to support the mother during labour such as; Entonox and Pethidine (Homebirth, 2010) Some women are able to cope with pain more than others so having a home birth wouldn’t be as beneficial for women who are more pain sensitive as access to certain pain reliefs such as epidural would only be accessible in a hospital (Which, 2015). If the mother decides during the labour that she would like access to stronger pain reliefs, she would need to be transferred to the nearest hostpital. This is why it is important to plan the birth environment wisely in order to access different types of pain reliefs.
Birth center
Birth centers is another type of birthing environments where a mother may wish to deliver her baby. This is usually offered to women who are having a low risk pregnancy (Which, 2015). The birth centers give a “home-from-home” approach that allows the mother to feel more relaxed during labour and delivery. As there are not many medical facilities birthing pools and Entonx (gas and air) are usually offered as a form of pain relief (NHS, 2015)
Hospital
The birthing environment and labour choices may be affected, If there are any complicating factors such as; previous C-sections, breech baby, medical history or twins (Which, 2015). Delivery on a labour ward is more favorable as
In order to support woman through labour and birth, a choice of three birthing environments are provided. All of which are equipped with suitable birth facilities. NCT (2009) states that, women are entitled to choose where they give birth, with the support of their midwife- who are there as an aid to ensure a straightforward vaginal birth. Despite these options, in some cases- changes can be made at the last minute.
Home birth
A home birth proves to be the easiest option for women who are having a straightforward birth. This birthing environment promotes a natural delivery and birth and provides a minimal use of drugs that are used to support the mother during labour such as; Entonox and Pethidine (Homebirth, 2010) Some women are able to cope with pain more than others so having a home birth wouldn’t be as beneficial for women who are more pain sensitive as access to certain pain reliefs such as epidural would only be accessible in a hospital (Which, 2015). If the mother decides during the labour that she would like access to stronger pain reliefs, she would need to be transferred to the nearest hostpital. This is why it is important to plan the birth environment wisely in order to access different types of pain reliefs.
Birth center
Birth centers is another type of birthing environments where a mother may wish to deliver her baby. This is usually offered to women who are having a low risk pregnancy (Which, 2015). The birth centers give a “home-from-home” approach that allows the mother to feel more relaxed during labour and delivery. As there are not many medical facilities birthing pools and Entonx (gas and air) are usually offered as a form of pain relief (NHS, 2015)
Hospital
The birthing environment and labour choices may be affected, If there are any complicating factors such as; previous C-sections, breech baby, medical history or twins (Which, 2015). Delivery on a labour ward is more favorable as