Who you have at your birth is a decision that is entirely up to you – and you only. Some women cannot imagine going through such a major life event without their mother by their side, whereas other woman can't think of anything worse than having their mother in the birth room.
While some women will choose to have a doula or labor coach there for support, others might invite a parent or additional family member. Regardless of who you invite into the delivery room, Dr. Davis recommends choosing people who can create a supportive environment and help you feel calm and comfortable.
Let her down gently if you don't want her there
"I told my mom that while her support is so important to me, I didn't want her in the room where I could lash out at her and say something to hurt her feelings. She was fine with it, because she understood that it was my day."
In response to COVID-19, we are asking our patients to limit visitors to our hospitals. Only your partner or support person should be present with you in the delivery ward. They are also welcome to stay with you overnight as your labour progresses.
Getting fathers into delivery rooms didn't happen overnight, and progress across the country was uneven, Leavitt found. By and large, by the 1960s, fathers were regularly allowed in the room during labor. By the 70s and 80s, they were allowed to stay for the birth. Today, most do.
But if you don't feel comfortable with her being there while you're having your baby, it's fine to just say no. Remember that it's your labor and you're entitled to establish whatever boundaries you feel comfortable with.
You don't have to let anyone in the room who you'd prefer not to have, and that includes your child's father, your mother in law, your own mother, or anyone else who decides that she or he would like to be present. It's a medical procedure and it's your body. You can say no.
Unless you've had a C-section, you should be able to leave the hospital approximately 24 hours after giving birth, assuming both you and your baby have been cleared by your doctors. The C-section recovery timeline has you staying for approximately two to four days.
During a c-section
You can usually stay with your partner during a planned or emergency c-section unless they need a general anaesthetic. The midwife or operating assistant will give you a top, trousers and hat to wear in the operating theatre. This is for hygiene reasons. Find out what happens during a c-section.
In some cultures, women stay in the house with their new baby for a month or more. But it is also fine to take your baby outside as soon as you feel ready. It is a good idea to go out when your baby is calm and happy. After a feed and a nappy change is a good time.
keep you company and help pass the time during the early stages. hold your hand, wipe your face and give you sips of water. massage your back and shoulders, and help you move about or change position. comfort you as your labour progresses and your contractions get stronger.
Rely On Hospital Protocol
Most hospitals with labor and delivery wards will ask a birthing woman if there is anyone she does not wish to allow into her room. If all else fails, give the hospital the names of your boundary pushers and allow your nurses to be the enforcers.
These can include but are not limited to: the anesthesiologist for epidurals, spinal anesthesia, and other medications; pediatrician, to care for your baby; neonatologist, who offers specialized care for at-risk newborns; assistant surgeons, used particularly for cesarean births; medical students, nursing students, ...
For a home birth, a trained health professional is present — generally 2 midwives. With freebirth, only the pregnant woman is present. They may invite their partner or other family members to also attend.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to newborn visitors, but it is important for new parents to set boundaries and take precautions so their new baby stays healthy. Parents should try to limit the number of visitors their babies come in close contact with overall.
Ultimately, a natural birth may be more painful than a cesarean section. However, the pain after your cesarean section combined with the heightened risks to you and your baby may outweigh the initial pain of childbirth. Make sure you consult with your doctors to get the best possible advice for you.
With a cesarean or c-section birth, you must wait six weeks to lift your toddler or anything heavier than ten pounds. This is critical to your recovery. While these lifting restrictions may not always be possible, following them as closely as possible (especially for those with incisions) is essential.
Which is safer: vaginal birth or C-section? Vaginal birth is much safer than a C-section for most women and babies. Sometimes a C-section is the only safe option, like when the baby is positioned side-to-side in the belly (transverse lie) or the placenta is covering the cervix (placenta previa).
Think of it as an investment that will pay off greatly as you walk through and beyond the fourth trimester. Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed.
Having a hot bath one hour after welcoming your baby into the world can dilate the blood vessels in your uterus, potentially leading to increased bleeding, dizziness and fainting. To take care of postpartum perineal pain after vaginal delivery, you can start taking a sitz bath 12 hours after giving birth.
The 40-day period is called the lochial period, from 'lochia' the normal vaginal discharge of cell debris and blood after birth. The Bible says “40 days” for the vaginal discharge resulting from involution and can also be described as the red lochia, lasting 4–6 weeks [29].
Many men say seeing their partner give birth is one of the most momentous events in their life, but doctors say the father's presence is not always helpful; some feel out of their depth, but others provide positive energy during labour.
Sitting on a ball
Your partner may sit behind you so that you can lean back into him between contractions, or you may want to lean forward against a bed or other furniture. Also try: sitting cross-legged on the bed or floor.
Shockingly, 27 percent of people still say it's more important for new babies to bond with their mothers than with their fathers, according to the Pew Research Center. But 71 percent say that it's equally important for babies to bond with both parents.