330-493-0313
Online Bill Pay
Masks are optional to all our patients.

In Case Of An Emergency

If you develop a medical emergency, call 911 or 330-493-0313. Immediate arrangements will be made for you to be seen. Always call our office before going to the hospital.

Labor and Delivery

Labor team members

Medical care provider (doctor)

  • Provides care during the pregnancy to keep you and your baby healthy.
  • Answers questions about pregnancy labor and delivery.
  • Follows your labor and birth and directs your care; makes decisions regarding emergency interventions.
  • Works with the hospital team members to meet the needs of you and your baby.
  • Answers questions about the
  • Provides medical management if needed, as you deliver your baby.

Registered nurses and auxiliary personnel

  • Monitors the well-being of you and your baby.
  • Keeps the medical care provider informed of changes in you and your baby’s condition and progress of labor.
  • Answers questions and provides information about what is happening during labor and about your plan of care.
  • Seeks to understand and support your goals and plans for labor and birth.
  • Offers comfort measures; suggests ways to help you cope with labor pain and to promote progress in your labor.
  • Provides reassurance and encouragement to you and your support person(s) throughout the birth experience.

Support person(s)

  • Chosen by you; person(s) who will be your primary emotional support during labor and birth.
  • Your support person:
    • Responds to your needs to provide, as needed, things like encouragement, distraction, humor, comfort measure, praise etc.

General tips for the labor support person(s)

  • You do not have to be an expert: just staying with mom means a lot. The nurse will assist and instruct you as needed.
  • Feel free to ask questions, if needed.
  • Stay relaxed, calm and positive.
  • Taking care of yourself helps you take better care of the mom in labor. Be sure to eat something nutritious and take breaks as needed.

Friends and family

  • Everyone is excited, but the safety of the mom and baby must come first.
  • Your job should be to assist the support person; give him/her a break when needed or bring in food and beverages.
  • Ask questions if you are not sure what is happening.
  • Make positive comments talk quietly and allow mom to rest.
  • Do not add tension; if you are nervous, leave and calm down, then return.
  • Leave quietly if asked by the nurse, whose first responsibility is to care for the mom and baby.

Everyone wants the birth to be a positive experience. If we work together as a team and are sensitive to the needs of mom and baby, it will be a good experience for all of us.

Visual of Emotions Stages How you may feel
Early labor

“I’m so excited to be in labor!”

  • Cervix begins to thin (efface) and starts to open up (dilate) to 3 to 4 centimeters
  • Bag of waters (membranes) may break
  • Mucus plug might come out
  • Average time: 7 to 8 hours
  • Contractions every 5 to 20 minutes, lasting 30 to 45 seconds
  • Happy, excited, full of energy, maybe a little nervous and scared
  • Uterus hard and cramping with each contraction
  • May have backache that comes and goes
Active labor

“This is hard work!”

  • Cervix thins partway and opens from 4 to 5 centimeters to 7 to 8 centimeters
  • Bag of waters (membranes) may break
  • Mucus plug might come out
  • More bloody show
  • Average time: 3 to 5 hours
  • Contractions 2 to 4 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds
  • Must concentrate on handling contractions
  • Serious, quieter, thinking about the “work” of labor; scared because labor is getting harder
  • Hot and tired; back could ache
  • May feel more pelvic pressure
  • May become nauseated or vomit
Transition

“I can’t do this!”

  • Cervix opens 9 to 10 cm (sometimes called “being complete”)
  • Bag of waters (membranes) usually breaks if it hasn’t already
  • Average time: 30 to 90 minutes
  • Contractions 2 to 3 minutes apart, lasting 70 to 90 seconds
  • Discouraged and feeling in a panic because labor is such hard work
  • Hot and cold flashes; shivery and shaky; hiccoughs or burping
  • Feel rectal pressure, “like you have to poop”
  • Feel like contractions are one right after the other
Pushing

“This is hard work!”

  • Cervix completely open; baby pushed out of uterus and down the birth canal
  • Average time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
  • Contractions 3 to 5 minutes apart, lasting 60 seconds
  • May be nervous
  • You have new energy; better able to focus
  • Lots of pelvic pressure as baby presses down
  • Contractions may be less painful
  • You may feel more in control, as you can bring about the birth of baby
  • You may feel sleepy; rest between pushes if you can
Delivery

“My baby!”

  • Average time included in above
Delivery of placenta
  • Average time: a few to 30 minutes
  • Contractions keep coming to help deliver placenta
After delivery
  • Contractions keep coming to help the uterus tighten again
  • Proud, excited and relieved
  • Relief: “I can’t believe it’s over!”
  • All of the above feelings
  • Exhausted
  • Surprise
  • Disappointment at after-birth discomfort
  • Talkative; need to review birth
  • Desire to see and hold baby
Visual of Emotions What you can do What your support person can do
  • Walk
  • Relax or rest if tired; drink and eat lightly; if at night, try to sleep if able
  • Call your care provider and go to the place you plan to give birth when you feel the need to be there or when instructed to go
  • Say to yourself, “My body knows what to do, I am ready for this birth”
  • Try a warm shower
  • Keep her mind off the contractions; encourage her to sleep if at night, encourage normal activity during the day
  • Time a few contractions every hour
  • Encourage light meals and fluids
  • Call care provider as advised
  • Calm and reassure mother with touch or verbal relaxation
  • Rest and relax, or walk and move about to keep the labor moving; go to the bathroom often; moan if it makes you feel better; try a shower, cool cloths on your face, and/or back rubs
  • Play music
  • Say to yourself, “I am strong, my body can do what it needs to do”
  • Use the breathing techniques that work for you
  • Encourage changes in activity, frequent urination, use of relaxation and breathing techniques
  • Offer ice chips, clear liquids, cold washcloth
  • Time the contractions
  • Suggest water therapy
  • Provide a relaxing atmosphere, positive attitude and reassuring voice
  • Encourage her and massage her as needed
  • Keep your body relaxed; change positions; focus on your breathing
  • Say to yourself, “Birth is close; I can do this; I won’t quit now”
  • Take one contraction at a time
  • Remember this is the shortest part of labor
  • Be her “rock,” remain calm and confident
  • Breathe with her to avoid pushing, using eye contact
  • Notify staff if she has an urge to push
  • Help her relax between contractions
  • Remind her she’s almost at the end and her baby will be here
  • Relax body parts not used for pushing
  • Focus on pushing the baby down and out; rest between contractions
  • Say to yourself, “I can push this baby out, I am stronger than I will ever be”
  • Concentrate on relaxing your bottom (perineum) and opening it up to push out the baby
  • Find the most comfortable position (often C-position)
  • You may close your eyes and rest between contractions
  • Listen to your care providers for special directions
  • May be nervous
  • You have new energy; better able to focus
  • Lots of pelvic pressure as baby presses down
  • Contractions may be less painful
  • You may feel more in control, as you can bring about the birth of baby
  • You may feel sleepy; rest between pushes if you can
  • Allow yourself to relax and enjoy this special time
  • Hold and feed your baby
  • Learn what you can from your care provider and nurses; allow others to help with non-baby tasks so you can take care of your baby and rest
  • Cut the cord, if you choose
  • Tell her what a good job she did
  • Take pictures
  • Hold your baby
  • Participate in infant care
  • Offer mother comfort measures

What To Do If She Panics

There may be a time during labor when your partner hits an emotional low or panics. She may show this by weeping, stating she cannot go on, looing or sounding as if she is in a great deal of pain, or becoming tense and is unable to relax. A “take charge” routine may be helpful at this time. You need to do all you can until she regains her inner strength. Use any or all of the hints listed:

  • Stand up. This action says without words that you are present and in charge.
  • Remain calm. Your touch should be firm yet confident. Keep your voice calm and your words encouraging.
  • Stay close to her and make eye contact. Instruct her to open her eyes and look at you.
  • You can hold her head or shoulders, or hold her tightly in your arms.
  • Try a different position or breathing pattern. Breathe with her to keep her focused.
  • Encourage her with every breath and tell her she is doing a good job. You may have to speak louder to get her attention, but keep your tone calm and confident.
  • Talk to her between contractions and make suggestions such as: “When your next contraction starts, I want you to look at me.”
  • Repeat instructions frequently. She may not be able to follow what you are saying for more than a few seconds.
  • Don’t give up on her. This will be a very difficult time, but you will not be helpful if you decide she cannot handle it.
  • Ask for help. The nurse or doctor can measure for dilatation, give you advise and suggestions, do some of the coaching, advise another position, and reassure you that your partner is okay.
  • Remind her of the baby. It is helpful to focus on the reason for the labor and remember it is pain with purpose.
  • If your partner said before labor that she does not want pain medications and now changes the plan and asks for them, respect her wishes. However, a request for medication may also be a request for additional support.
  • The important thing to remember is what you do is far more important than what you feel at the time. In other words, it’s okay if you feel anxious inside, your actions will show that you are helpful and in control!

From L to R

(Back)

 

Randall Starcher, MD

Jason Hoppe, DO

Megan Staub, MD

(Front)

Diane Kreitzer, NP

Julianne Yang Kar, MD

Sunitha Jagadish, MD

Melissa Vassas, DO

Eldy Lazaroff, NP

Need help? Have a question? Message us today!