Variations of Normal in Labor & Birth (w/ guest doula Ann Morris)
Welcome to the Birth and Baby Blog, your trusted source for empowering, evidence-based information on pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. If you’re an expecting parent searching for comprehensive birth education, you’re in the right place. Here, we dive into the real talk you need—the kind of information that’s often overlooked but is crucial for a positive birth experience. Our goal is to help you feel confident, empowered, and prepared as you navigate the journey of giving birth and raising your little ones.
I’m so excited to share some valuable insights from our latest podcast episode, where I had the pleasure of speaking with Ann Morris, a highly experienced birth/postpartum doula and childbirth educator near Atlanta, Georgia. We focused on a topic that’s essential for anyone preparing for childbirth: understanding the variations of normal during pregnancy and labor. If you’re searching for birth education that goes beyond the basics, this is a must-read.
Why Understanding Variations of Normal is Crucial for a Positive Birth Experience
As you prepare for childbirth, it’s natural to want to know what’s “normal” during pregnancy and labor. However, every birth is unique, and what might seem unusual or alarming at first can often be a completely normal variation. By understanding these variations, you can reduce anxiety, make informed decisions, and have a more empowered birth experience.
In our conversation, Ann and I discussed several common variations of normal that many expecting parents might not be aware of. By shedding light on these situations, we aim to provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate your birth experience with confidence and peace of mind.
Pre-Labor Rupture of Membranes (PROM): When Your Water Breaks Before Labor Starts
One of the key topics we explored was Pre-Labor Rupture of Membranes (PROM), which occurs when your water breaks before labor begins. This situation can be particularly stressful if you’ve heard that labor must start within 24 hours to avoid complications.
Ann explained that the 24-hour rule for PROM originated in the 1960s, when it was believed that a woman should deliver within a day of her water breaking to prevent infection. However, modern evidence-based research suggests that waiting longer is often safe, especially if nothing is introduced into the vagina that could increase the risk of infection.
Key Points About PROM:
Understanding PROM: PROM is when the amniotic sac ruptures before labor begins. It’s essential to differentiate between PROM at full term and preterm, as the risks and management strategies differ.
The 24-Hour Rule: While the 24-hour rule has been a long-standing guideline, current research shows that it’s safe to wait for labor to begin naturally, as long as precautions are taken to prevent infection.
Cervical Checks: Limiting cervical checks is crucial to reducing the risk of infection. If your water breaks, it’s advisable to avoid unnecessary vaginal exams and other activities that could introduce bacteria.
Baby’s Position at Full Term: What to Do When Baby Isn’t Head Down
Another common variation of normal that we discussed is the baby’s position at full term. Ideally, your baby will be head down (vertex) by the time you’re ready to give birth. However, some babies are in a breech (butt down) or transverse (side-lying) position. This can be a source of concern for many parents, but it’s important to know that there are ways to help your baby move into the optimal position for birth.
Key Points About Baby’s Position:
Breech and Transverse Positions: While most babies settle into a head-down position by 36 weeks, about 4% remain breech at term. Transverse positioning is less common but can also occur.
Encouraging Optimal Positioning: Techniques such as forward-leaning inversions, chiropractic care (specifically Webster-certified practitioners), and exercises from the Spinning Babies method can help encourage your baby to move into a better position.
Considering ECV and Other Techniques: External Cephalic Version (ECV) is a procedure where a healthcare provider manually turns the baby to a head-down position. This, along with acupuncture and moxibustion, can be effective in some cases.
Long Labor: Why “Failure to Progress” Is Often a Misnomer
Long labor is another variation of normal that often causes unnecessary concern. The term “failure to progress” has been used to describe labors that don’t follow the typical pattern of dilation, but this term can be misleading and disempowering.
Ann and I discussed why it’s important to give your body time to labor at its own pace. Many factors can contribute to a slower labor, such as the baby’s position, the strength of contractions, and even a full bladder.
Key Points About Long Labor:
Understanding the Myth of “Failure to Progress”: The concept of “failure to progress” is based on outdated standards and doesn’t account for the natural variations in labor patterns.
Factors That Can Slow Labor: Issues like a baby’s posterior position (sunny side up), a full bladder, or anxiety can contribute to a longer labor.
Supporting Your Labor Progression: Techniques such as changing positions, using gravity, massage, water therapy, and nipple stimulation can help encourage labor to progress naturally without the need for unnecessary interventions.
Meconium in the Waters: What It Means and How to Handle It
Finally, we talked about meconium—your baby’s first poop—which sometimes appears in the amniotic fluid before birth. While it can be alarming to see brownish or greenish fluid when your water breaks, it’s important to understand what this means and how it’s typically managed.
Key Points About Meconium:
What Is Meconium? Meconium is your baby’s first bowel movement, which can occur in the womb. It’s not uncommon, especially in post-date pregnancies.
Risks and Management: The main concern with meconium is the potential for meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), where the baby inhales meconium into their lungs. However, this is rare, and most babies with MAS recover fully with appropriate care.
Staying Calm and Informed: If meconium is present, it’s important to stay calm and follow your care provider’s advice. Not every case of meconium-stained waters requires immediate intervention.
Preparing for a Positive Birth Experience: Final Thoughts
Navigating pregnancy and birth can be filled with uncertainties, but understanding the variations of normal can empower you to make informed decisions and feel more confident as you approach your due date. Whether it’s understanding PROM, helping your baby into the optimal position, managing a long labor, or dealing with meconium, being informed is key to having a positive birth experience.
If you’re looking for more in-depth birth education and want to explore these topics further, I invite you to listen to our full podcast episode. Ann and I go into much greater detail, offering practical advice and reassurance for navigating these common variations of normal during pregnancy and birth.
🎧 Listen to the Full Episode Here
Remember, you’ve got this, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. If you’re preparing for childbirth and want to feel empowered and informed, make sure to explore our other resources on the blog and check out my childbirth education course!
Stay connected for more expert tips, insights, and support as you prepare for your baby’s arrival.
Sending you love, light, and positive birthing vibes.
🌼Lindsee
Links:
Wild Beginnings Childbirth Education Course
Doula Services (Local to southeast Atlanta, GA and virtually)
