Please find in this information pack some valuable reading material which will be informative and useful throughout the coming months of your pregnancy.
Your midwife will go over this pack with you at your 38 weeks appointment. Please do not hesitate to ask any of the Doctors or Midwives any questions you may have.
It’s a good idea to write down questions and bring the list with you on your next antenatal visit.
Induction of Labour at South West Healthcare
Caesarean section– RANZCOG
Caesarean education (video) – RANZCOG
Birth Reflections Clinic – This clinic is available through the Women’s Health Service.
Safe sleeping – Red Nose
Safe sleeping- Aboriginal – Red Nose
Co-sleeping – Red Nose
In accordance with the Department of Health reporting requirements, all patients at the registration process will be asked about
What is the difference between sex at birth and gender?
Sex at birth refers to the category of male or female, assigned to a person at birth based on biological and anatomical characteristics. However, human bodies are diverse and not all bodies conform to these categories. Intersex people have variations in their anatomies, hormones or chromosomes that don’t fit medical and social norms for female and male bodies. A person who is intersex may have been assigned male, female, intersex or as being of indeterminate sex at birth.
Gender refers to a person’s internal sense of being a boy/man, girl/woman, both or neither. For many people their gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender or gender diverse people describe their gender identity as not aligning with the sex they were assigned at birth and includes identities such as: non-binary, trans woman, trans man, genderqueer, gender fluid and more.
What is a pronoun?
Pronouns are words that others may use to refer to you instead of your name, such as he/him, she/her, or they/them.
Why do we need to ask about both sex at birth and gender?
What is an epidural?
An epidural is a form of pain relief to make your labour less painful.
A small plastic tube called an epidural catheter will be inserted into your lower back for the duration of your labour. Local anaesthetic is given through this to help numb the nerves carrying pain signals during labour. This should provide pain relief until your baby is born.
You should be able to move your legs and you may still be able to feel painless contractions.
It is your choice whether to have an epidural, but one may be recommended by your midwife or obstetrician if complications arise during your pregnancy or labour.
When you have your epidural will depend on the progress of your labour.
Some medical reasons may prevent you from being able to have an epidural. In these cases we will discuss other methods of pain relief with you.
What are the benefits of an epidural?
If the birth of your baby needs a forceps or emergency caesarean section, the epidural can often be used as an anaesthetic. Research shows that epidurals:
How is an Epidural put in?
An epidural takes about 15-20 minutes to insert and a further 15-20 minutes to work fully.
An intravenous drip will be placed in your arm or hand. You may need to have some clothing removed or change into a hospital gown so your back is more accessible. You will be positioned either sitting up or lying on your side for the epidural to be inserted, this may be either sitting up or lying on your side. The skin on your back will be cleaned with a cold antiseptic solution. Local anaesthetic will be injected into your back to help numb the area. It is normal to feel a pushing sensation in your back while the epidural is being inserted. You must keep still for this step. You may feel an electric tingle sensation in your back or down your legs when the epidural catheter is inserted – this is normal. After the needle is removed, the epidural catheter will be taped into place with a large dressing to prevent it from accidentally coming out. A sensation of warmth and numbness will gradually develop after the local anaesthetic is given.
How will an epidural affect me?
Once your baby is born the midwife will remove the plastic tube from your back. Once the epidural has worn off, your urinary catheter will be removed and you will be encouraged to get up and move around.
What are the risks of an epidural?
Epidurals are very safe but, as with any medical procedure, there are risks:
| Require further epidural pain relief | Common 1 in 8 |
| Fall in blood pressure | Common 1 in 20 |
| Severe headache | Uncommon 1 in 100 |
| Temporary nerve damage | Rare less than 1 in 13,000 |
| Epidural infection / Meningitis | Very rare 1 in 50,000 |
| Very high epidural block | Very rare 1 in 100,000 |
| Epidural blood clot | Very rare 1 in 170,000 |
| Severe injury / paralysis | Extremely rare 1 in 250,000 |