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Routine Labor Care
A Certified Doula Explains the Basic Components of Maternity Care
By Kelly Camden, Certified Doula
Normally the hospital wants an initial reading of 20 minutes. It is often referred to as "getting a good strip" on the baby. Getting a good strip means that the baby has a healthy range of heart tones and that the monitors are reading consistently during that time. Sometimes the monitor may not be reading the baby very well and will need to be adjusted. This may also mean that the monitoring period will be longer, in order to "get a good strip."
The uterine contraction monitor will show how often the contractions are coming and for how long. This provides information regarding labor progress and how the baby is responding to contractions. Once the initial monitoring period has ended, the monitors and belts can be removed. After that, Mother and Baby will need to be monitored periodically during labor. Because of the increase of complications with medication, if Pitocin or an epidural is used, the monitoring will be continuous, until birth occurs.
Fetal monitoring can also be done with a handheld Doppler. Parents can ask the nurse to use a handheld Doppler for monitoring if the mother is in a laboring tub.
It has become very common to insert an IV in the mother's arm during labor. The IV is a preparatory step in the administration of medication, such as antibiotics, Pitocin or narcotics. Fluids are also given through the IV, to help mothers stay hydrated. However, this step is not always medically necessary. Women can eat and drink during labor if they have not had an epidural.
Want to see more?
- Comfort Measures for Labor: A Certified Doula Answers Questions on Comfort During Labor
- Navigating a Natural Birth: A Certified Doula Answers Questions on Natural Childbirth
- Childbirth Class Comparison: A Certified Doula Discusses Childbirth Preparation Classes
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