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Labor and Delivery

Labor and delivery are the final stages of pregnancy in which the uterus contracts and the baby is born.

Recently Answered Questions

Can I deliver vaginally if my baby is in breech position?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
If your child is in breech position during labor, your doctor will consider a couple of different things to determine whether the baby can be delivered vaginally or will require a C-section. She'll look at such things as whether you've had a full-term live vaginal birth previously, the size of the pelvis vs. the size of the baby, the position of the baby (there are variations of breech, like one f...
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How does a baby take his first breath after being born?
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Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
In the midst of everything that's going on during labor and delivery, you may not notice one of the most beautiful parts about the delivery process - your baby's transition from living underwater to living in air. Nine months of work culminates in the cutting of the cord.Before that breath can happen, blood has to move from the heart to the lungs, which up until this point were like rigid sponges,...
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What are some common problems in a stalled delivery?
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Most Recent Answer
by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
Prolonged labor can be tiring for the mother, the baby, and the mother&aposls support team. Usually, unless these are other complications, there is no reason to hurry the natural process of labor. Infection is more common if labor lasts a long time. Avoiding frequent vaginal exams can decrease that risk. If you have regular contractions in the active phase of labor but your cervix does not d...
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What is an episiotomy?
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Most Recent Answer
by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
An episiotomy is an incision made along the perineum, which is the area between the vagina and the rectum, to allow more room for the baby. Episiotomy can speed delivery by a few minutes, but normally there is no need to hurry the process. An episiotomy may be necessary in rare circumstances, if there is concern about the baby's condition. Episiotomies increase the chance that you will have a mo...
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When may a doctor use a vacuum cup to aid during labor?
1 Expert Answer
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
For any number of reasons, labor can stall - perhaps because the child is too large or perhaps because the mom is too exhausted to push effectively. In the case of stalled labor, if the cervix is completely dilated and the head has descended enough, the doctor may be able to use a suction cup (also called a vacuum cup) or forceps to help the process along. As long as correct placement is used, bot...
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Why would a doctor induce labor?
1 Expert Answer
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by Dr. Michael Roizen
Doctors may choose to induce labor for many reasons. Maybe your water broke and it contained some fetal waste (meconium) or your baby is starting to show signs that it needs to be delivered faster. Maybe you're suffering from preeclampsia, chronic high blood pressure or diabetes; maybe your baby is getting too large; or maybe you're more than a week past your due date. (Docs generally don't let pr...
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How does a doctor induce labor?
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Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Michael Roizen
To induce labor, your doctor will check the dilation and effacement of your cervix. At that point, she may apply a prostaglandin gel, which will soften and ripen the cervix to prepare it for labor. It may take a day or so for the cervix to get ready. The doctor may also give you intravenous oxytocin to start contractions. Oxytocin speeds up labor, and it makes your contractions feel especially, we...
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How common are Caesarean sections?
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Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Kevin W. Windom
30%-35% of all deliveries in the US are by C-section. 50% of twins are delivered this way.
How do I know if a Caesarean section (C-section) is necessary?
3 Expert Answers
Most Recent Answer
by Boston Women's Health Book Collective
In certain circumstances, cesarean sections are clearly needed for the safety of the mother and/or the baby. In other circumstances, it can be difficult to determine whether or not the surgery is medically necessary. Providers may not be able to say that the surgery is absolutely necessary but may recommend it for safety. The risks and benefits of a cesarean vary according to your specific situat...
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What are the risks of having a Caesarean section (C-section)?
2 Expert Answers
Most Recent Answer
by Dr. Kevin W. Windom
The most common risks are infection and bleeding. The more severe risks are damage to bowel, bladder, or other internal organs near the uterus.
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