RE: [ozmidwifery] managed versus physiological 3rd stage, was: after birth pains

[Maxine Wilson]

Title: Message

I have had 2 babes with a physiological 3rd stage, the other was a Caesar so I don’t think that really counts.  The first one took quite a long time – maybe an hour? But was no problem and although I had some contractions they weren’t too bad.  I certainly was more interested in snuggling with my baby.  The last baby – it was much quicker – maybe 15 or 20 minutes and again no drama and very little pain.  Remember that you never have to accept any offered treatment no matter what the protocol says – it is your decision how long you take to birth your placenta.  Some are quicker than others just like the birth of the baby.  You can have synto at any time but really the only concern at any stage would be if you were bleeding.   Maxine     From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Nicola Morley Sent: Sunday, 2 April 2006 8:05 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] managed versus physiological 3rd stage, was: after birth pains   This reminds me of a question I have after being a doula at a birth with a physiological 3rd stage. The mother in question chose physiological and found 3rd stage far more painful than she had with 2 previously managed (synto) 3rd stages. So painful that she felt she couldn't hold her baby safely(apart from a brief cuddle in the moments following birth). They also only gave her 1/2 hour to deliver placenta physiologically, so she felt pressure to try and breastfeed before her and baby were really ready to try and get things moving.   I have a couple of questions, partly "professional" for my future reference, and partly personal because I am considering options for my own birth! Is it normal for third stage to be more painful if done physiologically? Is it normal to set a time limit of 1/2 hour (this was at a low intervention, low risk only hospital - Wyong, whereas I am delivering at the more interventionalist Gosford so imagine it could be even less??? Anyone know who works at either of these hospitals?)? Early skin to skin contact with my baby, and time to allow baby to self attach to the breast are both more important to me than a physiological 3rd stage, so if choosing that option is a risk to either of those things I would prefer they gave me the synto (after waiting for cord to stop pulsing before clamping and cutting)!!   Also, I didn't think to ask at the time, but what is the plan if the 1/2 hour is up and the placenta is not delivered? Can you give synto then, or is it too late and there are other things that need to be done? I am just thinking that if there is no problem delaying the synto, can anyone think of any good reason why I couldn't ask for a physiological 3rd stage, then if it was taking too long, or was too painful to hold baby, or I was being rushed to feed to get things moving, I couldn't just say, ok give me the synto then??   Nicola Trainee Doula