Interventions & Complications - The Birthing Site

The Truth of Cesareans

Written by Jess Gifford

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Cesarean Sections, also known as a c-section, is the surgical removal of the baby directly from the uterus. While many women now elect to skip labor altogether (and their practitioners usually oblige,) others are determined to avoid a c-section at all costs. C-Sections are major abdominal surgery despite the short…

Assisted Delivery With Forceps & Vacuum

Written by Jess Gifford

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There are two common tools used to “assist” delivery when the head of the baby is near the vaginal opening; the vacuum and forceps. Many practitioners will perform an episiotomy before using one of these tools unless you explicitly request otherwise. The vacuum is a suction device that is placed…

Antibiotics for Mothers who are Group B Strep Positive

Written by Jess Gifford

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If your provider is an OB, you will likely be tested for Group B Strep (GBS) between 35 and 37 weeks by swabbing the vagina and rectum. GBS is caused by naturally occurring bacteria in the intestinal tract. The presence of GBS during routine screening does not mean that the…

Vaginal Exams - Why Are They Done?

Written by Jess Gifford

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Vaginal Exams (VEs) are a common way for the OB to determine how labor is progressing. Once the cervix has opened 10cm, it is assumed that the mother may begin pushing. That being said, many women never actually get to 10cm, and are able to successfully push out their baby…

Artificial Rupture of the Membranes: What is it and Why is it Done?

Written by Jess Gifford

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Artificial Rupture of the Membranes (AROM) involves the use of a tool that looks much like a crochet needle to puncture the bag of waters. Breaking the waters stimulates the labor hormones to increase. This procedure however carries an increased risk of infection to both the mother and baby. AROM…

Sweeping of Membranes: What is it and Why is it Done?

Written by Jess Gifford

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Sweeping of Membranes involves a procedure where an OB or midwife uses a finger to sweep the membranes just inside of the cervix to separate the amniotic sac from the cervix. Most women report this is an incredibly uncomfortable procedure. Labor will typically begin within 48 hours or so of…

Cervidil: What is it and Why is it Used?

Written by Jess Gifford

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Cervidil is a prostaglandin gel applied to the cervix to “ripen” it which leads to increased contractions and dilation. It carries many of the same risks that Cytotec and Pitocin do, though the benefit is that the mother many be able to go home to wait for labor to start,…

Cytotec: What is it and Why is it Used?

Written by Jess Gifford

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Cytotec is also known as Misoprostol, is also used for induction and is either given orally, or placed directly on the cervix. It causes the uterus to contract and the cervix to ripen and begin dilating. Misoprostol is typically used to prevent NSAIDS induced ulcers, and is also prescribed as…

Pitocin: What is it and Why is it Used?

Written by Jess Gifford

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A Pitocin drip is one of the most common methods used as induction and to speed up a slow labor. Pitocin is a synthetic form of Oxytocin, the body’s natural hormone that facilitates contractions throughout labor. (Natural Oxytocin has a number of benefits, read more in the previous links.) Pitocin…

Fetal Monitoring During Labour

Written by Jess Gifford

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External Fetal Monitoring EFM involves a big strap around the mother’s abdomen that monitors the baby’s heart rate and strength of contractions. It is assumed that the baby’s heart rate is an indicator of how well the baby is handling the contractions and demands of labor. The biggest problem that…

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