Obstetricians are monitoring a woman in labour. Although the obstetrician is responsible for supervising the entire delivery process, they do not have to be always present.
The obstetrician: his role during childbirth
He is the doctor responsible for supervising the entire process, but he does not have to be always present. After entering the obstetrics emergency room, they will be in charge of completing the medical history of your pregnancy – which you must take with you –; they will perform a general physical examination and a genital examination, in which they will inspect your vulva, vagina and perineum to assess if you are actually in labour, as well as the length, consistency and dilation of the cervix; fetal presentation; if your waters have broken through an amnioscopy, and the characteristics of your pelvis. He will also do an abdominal ultrasound to determine the uterus and fetal heart rate.
The midwife: how it will help in your delivery
According to the World Health Organization, the midwife is the professional indicated to attend a normal birth. He will receive you once you have been admitted to the medical centre; he will make you sign the mandatory forms, and he will install you in the dilation room, where he will monitor your progress through the vaginal examinations that he considers necessary and the fetal well-being and uterine dynamics with the corresponding external and internal cardiotocographic records. In addition, she will assess if you have to break your waters and will put you on a line that will serve to administer antibiotics or oxytocin if you need them.
The midwife also fulfils another essential function: she is in charge of giving encouragement, advice, support, and clearing up all your doubts if you have them. Also, if you ask her, she will tell you how to relax and breathe to feel better.
The role of the midwife in the delivery room
Once the dilation is complete (10 cm), and if everything goes well, you will be transferred to the delivery room (although, in some cases, everything is done in the same place), where the same midwife will tell you when and how to push and will perform an episiotomy if he deems it appropriate. Next, she will deliver your baby, position you on top of her, and clamp and cut the umbilical cord. Next, she will check the birth canal and close the possible cut or tear with stitches.
His work is not yet finished: after the expulsive phase, the delivery phase arrives, in which the detachment and expulsion of the placenta take place, which he will carefully check to ensure that it is whole, as well as the membranes.
In the recovery room, where you will stay a couple of hours after delivery, the midwife will explain how to put your baby to the breast and review your progress.
postpartum nurse
The anaesthetist, neonatologist, and other birthing professionals
In addition to the obstetrician and the midwife, there are other professionals with an essential role in attending a birth, such as an anaesthetist, the neonatologist, neonatal nurses, nursing assistants and caretakers.
Request it the day you give birth. The anesthesiologist will be the professional in charge of administering the epidural analgesia when you have dilated three centimetres by inserting a catheter between two vertebrae of the epidural space through which small doses or a continuous infusion of local anaesthetic. Once placed, it will review its correct administration and effectiveness if the midwife so re
The anesthesiologist will also be in the operating room if it is a cesarean section. He’ll see how you’re doing in the recovery room.
The neonatologist and the neonatal nurse
The presence of the neonatologist in the delivery room is required if immediate attention to the newborn is necessary, such as when a caesarean section is performed, if it is premature birth, etc.
If this is not the case, a neonatal nurse will take care of your little one, weigh and measure him, evaluate his general state of health using the Apgar Test, rule out significant malformations, dry him, and aspirate the secretions from the nose and mouth. He will put antibiotic eye drops in your eyes, take a sample from the cord to determine your blood group and other tests, and identify you. After placing a hat, a diaper and a t-shirt or body, she will give it t
Nursing assistants
They help in whatever is required of them, both the midwife and the gynaecologist. The nursing assistants take care of your clothes and provide you with a nightgown, bring the thermometer, and place the material in the delivery room…
Professionals in childbirth
guards
They are in charge of your transportation, from the Emergency Room to the Obstetrics Service, from the dilation room to the delivery room, and from the recovery room to the room where you will be admitted until you are discharged.
the father of the creature
Of all the people you will see fluttering around you on the day of delivery, a minimum of five or six different gowns, there will be one chosen by you, whose role will also be essential: the future father. His presence will give you peace of mind, support and help when requesting the presence of a professional if necessary, and he is not in the room then. In addition, during the dilation phase, he will apply the breathing techniques you learned in the childbirth preparation classes. The more involved can also relieve the mother by massaging her lower back or abdomen.
Once in the delivery room, their encouragement will be welcome to help you push and breathe correctly. And, of course, you will be able to share the emotion of the magical moment of seeing your baby being born and being able to hold him in your arms.