It is every pregnant woman’s wish to have a good childbirth experience. But the desired outworking of this wish varies from one woman to another.
For many women it means to have quick labour, coming with the pain of labour without the need for analgesic drugs of an epidural and a spontaneous vaginal delivery of a healthy baby without any perineal or vaginal trauma. While this may be the goal sadly it often does not happen.
For some women it means to have a pain free labour and so they request an epidural block with the start of labour or if an induction before labour is induced.
For some women it means no induction of labour. Sadly, this view can result in an increased likelihood of an emergency Caesarean section and increased risk to baby’s wellbeing.
For some women it means no Syntocinon augmentation of labour. Sadly, this view can result in a more prolonged and so painful labour, maternal exhaustion, and increased likelihood of needing a Caesarean section delivery or operative vaginal delivery.
For some women it means no episiotomy. Sadly, this view can result in a greater likelihood of third and fourth degree perineal tears and associated long term adverse consequences.
For some it means a home birth. Sadly, this view can result in greater likelihood of maternal and foetal trauma and associated long term adverse consequences.
For some it means no financial costs. That means being public patient and management by junior and less experienced hospital staff. Sadly, this view can result in lack of personalised care and a greater likelihood of maternal and foetal trauma and associated long term adverse consequences.
For some it means an elective Caesarean section. Women who want this will often advise me of their wish at their first antenatal visit. As long as there is an informed consent I have no objections to their request. It does protect the vaginal from stretching and trauma and the perineum for trauma with childbirth.
For some it means not going overdue and so induction of labour if there is not spontaneous labour by 40 weeks. I have no objections to their request, but the induction of labour can’t be done too early as if it is it may result in the baby having breathing, feeding and jaundice problems and needing admission to the SCBU.
For some it means pregnancy and childbirth care by a specialist obstetrician doctor. This is likely to give a more personalised and better-quality care and less risk of potentially avoidable maternal and foetal trauma and associated long term adverse consequences.
For some it means a primary focus on the mode of delivery and a non-compromising birth plan. Such rigidity will often lead to disappointment as labour adverse development are unpredictable and so sometimes the birth plan often cannot be adhered to without compromising maternal and/or foetal wellbeing and as well a woman may decide she does not what to adhere to her birth plan once she is in labour (e.g. she is not coping with the pain of labour and so in labour decides on an epidural).
I tell pregnant women regularly the primary goal is good outcome for mother and baby. I also tell them that how their labour will progress and whether there will be adverse developments is often unpredictable. I believe the best view for a pregnant woman is to be flexible and open and have an experienced specialist obstetrician doctor personally managing their labour and childbirth.
I suggest don’t consider someone else’s labour and delivery experience will be yours. Labour and delivery experiences vary. Don’t get advice for Google, chat rooms, other people, etc as this advice is based on their own experiences (which are not relevant from you) of hearsay information. Do believe others “horror stories” about childbirth. Often what they tell you or what you read is not true, but a distortion of the truth and their agenda is create fear and the convey self-martyr belief. That is another reason personalised care by a specialist obstetrician is important. Anxiety levels had increased in the community over recent times. You don’t need others adversely affecting your enjoyment of what is one of the most important times of life.
