Getting ready for your baby’s arrival can be exciting, but also a little scary. To help you feel more confident and prepared, Roberto Carrasco, MD, Chief of Obstetrics at Northwest Texas Healthcare System, answers some of the questions asked by his patients. Whether you are having your first baby or have been pregnant before, planning ahead of time can ease your nerves and help you have the best, healthiest experience.
Q: What will labor be like, and how can I manage the pain?
Every mom’s experience and pain tolerance can be different. At Northwest we respect your right to decide what is best for you, as long as it’s safe for you and your baby. Talking with your doctor ahead of time is important. Also, it’s helpful to attend a childbirth education class, where you can talk with other expectant moms and learn about relaxation, breathing and coping strategies for labor and delivery.
Q: What if I have a high-risk pregnancy?
Communicating regularly with your doctor and being prepared can give you added reassurance, which can be good for both you and your baby. Northwest specializes in high-risk deliveries and neonatal care, offering technological advancements and an experienced, highly skilled team. Obstetrician/gynecologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, nurse anesthetists and neonatal nurses are available 24 hours a day.
Q: If I had a C-section for my first baby, can I still have a vaginal birth later?
Many patients who have had C-sections go on to have vaginal births, but it depends on a number of factors, such as the type of incision you had with your C-section, the reasons for the C-section, and how healthy you and your baby are in the subsequent pregnancy. Keeping you and your baby safe is the top priority.
Q: What if I need help with breastfeeding?
The first days and weeks after your baby is born are very important, and we do everything we can to help you be successful. Through “couplet care,” mom and baby stay together in the same room. This enables an uninterrupted feeding schedule and can help to establish your milk supply. Support from nurses, board-certified lactation consultants and breastfeeding classes at Northwest can also help ensure a healthy start.
For more information about the Childbirth Center at Northwest and to watch a brief video about our services, visit www.nwths.com/childbirth.