Maternal Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions

When does labour begin?

What changes will I notice during labour?

Why is it advisable to undergo delivery at a hospital?

When should I get admitted at the hospital?

What can I expect when I get admitted at a hospital?

What birthing options can I expect in a hospital?

How will the LDRP birthing suite aid childbirth?

What will happen during delivery?

What changes will I notice during recovery?

What is Post-partum?

What care will my child and I receive during post-partum?

When will I be discharged from the hospital?

Which hospitals in India offer LDRP 'Tradition - the Birthing Suite' facility?

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When does labour begin?

Labour usually starts two weeks before or after the estimated date of delivery. However, no one knows exactly what triggers the onset of labour.

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What changes will I notice during labour?

Certain changes may signal that labour is beginning. You may or may not notice some of them before labour begins.

• Feeling as if the baby has dropped lower down in your abdomen.           
• Increase in vaginal discharge (clear, pink, or slightly bloody) 
• Discharge of watery fluid from your vagina in a trickle or a gush
• Regular patterns of cramps that may feel like a bad backache or menstrual cramps: comes and goes every 15-30 minutes to begin with

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It is necessary to get admitted in the hospital for childbirth as complications to the mother and baby can arise at anytime requiring professional attention. The skills of an obstetrician/gynaecologist and high-tech equipment like ultrasound and fetal monitors are necessary in order for the mother or the baby to survive childbirth without long-term ill effects. 

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The following is a general guideline to help you determine when to call the hospital. Check with your doctor for specific instructions.

• Your bag of water breaks, with or without contractions.      
• If this is your first pregnancy and you are having contractions every 5 minutes that require your total concentration, and you cannot walk or talk through them.      
• If you have severe abdominal pain.      
• If you have bright red bleeding.
• If you have decreased or absent fetal movement.

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What can I expect when I get admitted at a hospital?

When you arrive at the hospital in labour, the medical staff may perform a physical examination of the abdomen to determine the size and position of the fetus, and an examination of the vagina. In addition, they will check blood pressure, weight, temperature, frequency and intensity of contractions, fetal heart rate and urine & blood samples.

Intravenous fluids are generally given during labour to prevent dehydration. The fetus, too, is carefully monitored during labour. A monitor placed over the mother’s abdomen will keep track of the fetal heart rate, which can indicate distress.

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What birthing options can I expect in a hospital?

There are different facilities and options available to deliver your baby. The present maternity units in our country are modelled on the multi-transfer surgical system. Though this system does provide a sense of safety and security to the mother as well as the family, there is a high degree of personal discomfort built into this system through the need to shift from one room to another. In addition, there is growing concern about the risk of exposure to infections in the surgical environment. Under such conditions you can opt for a LDRP birthing suite.

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How will the LDRP birthing suite aid childbirth?

LDRP is a single room designed for use throughout labour, delivery, recovery and postpartum process. Specialized furnishings allow LDRPs to be equipped for the safe arrival of your newborn and, at the same time, provide a home-like setting for the birth of your baby. After delivery, the birthing suite becomes the perfect private environment to receive post-partum care. After childbirth, the mother, baby and the family stay together in the birthing suite until discharged from the hospital.

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Delivery is the moment when the fetus, followed by the placenta, exits the mother's body. In LDRP, the mother remains in the comfort of the same room for both labour and delivery.

During the delivery process, the medical personnel will continue to monitor the mother's vital signs (i.e., blood pressure and pulse) and the fetal heart rate. The physician will examine the vagina to determine the position of the fetus' head and will continue to support and guide the mother in her pushing efforts.

Delivery can either be accomplished vaginally or by cesarean section (also called c- section).

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What changes will I notice during recovery?

As the mother recovers, the following symptoms are not uncommon:

• Bloody vaginal discharge that changes to brown, then whitish over the next couple of weeks after delivery
• A tender vaginal area
• Painful contractions that continue after delivery - as the uterus returns to its original size 
• Breast engorgement - as milk production begins
• Extreme fatigue and soreness are common in the first few weeks 

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What is Post-partum?

The post-partum period begins after the delivery of the baby and ends when the mother's body has returned as closely as possible to its pre-pregnant state. This period usually lasts six to eight weeks.

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What care will my child and I receive during post-partum?

After delivering your baby, you will continue to be monitored and receive pain relief, if needed. A mother and baby usually remain at the hospital for a couple of days to recover.

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The answer varies for each patient. Generally it is very safe for new mothers to return to the comfort of their own homes shortly after giving birth. Before you go home, your physician will examine you. If you are not medically ready to go home, you will be encouraged to stay and continue to receive the care you need.

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•   Akshaya Apollo, Ahmedabad
•   Manipal Hospital, Bangalore
•   GG Hospital, Chennai