The number of visitors in your room during labor depends on your physical condition and the stage of labor you are in. For the safety of you and your baby we encourage you to have only two people in the room during delivery. Requests for additional visitors will be at the discretion of your physician.

the end of the third trimester of pregnancy, your body will begin to show signs that it is time for your baby to be born. The process that leads to the birth of your baby is called labor and delivery. Every labor and delivery includes certain stages, but each birth is unique. Even if you have had a baby before, the next time will be different. Giving birth to a baby is hard work. That’s why it’s called labor. It can also be scary, thrilling, and unpredictable.

During your prenatal visits, you should discuss when to call your doctors or midwives if you think you may be in labor. You should receive specific instructions regarding the phone number to call and when to expect to leave home. If at any time you are unsure about what to do, call the our Labor & Delivery nurses at 734-764-8134. More about Labor & Delivery.

An epidural block is given in the lower back. You will either be sitting up or lying on your side. The block is administered below the level of the spinal cord. The anesthesiologist will use a local anesthesia to numb an area of your lower back. A special needle is placed in the epidural space just outside the spinal sac.

Getting regular exercise during pregnancy will help you handle the physical demands of labor and delivery. Try adding Kegel exercises to your daily routine. They strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. This helps prevent a long period of pushing during labor. In your sixth or seventh month of pregnancy, consider taking a childbirth education class with your husband, partner, or support person.

Most dogs experience delivery without complications; however, first-time mothers should be attended by their owners until at least one or two puppies are born. If these are born quickly and without assistance, further attendance may not be necessary, although it is desirable. If the owner elects to leave, care should be taken so that the dog does not try to follow and leave the whelping box. The signs of impending labor generally include nervousness and panting.

Regular contractions that become more frequent, closer together and increase in intensity. While the normal contractions of late pregnancy (called 'Braxton Hicks' contractions) may often be mistaken for the onset of labor, you can be relatively certain that labor has begun if your contractions have been going for about an hour, are evenly spaced about 5 minutes apart and last for about a minute each. Passing of the mucus 'plug' that keeps the uterus closed during pregnancy.

Labor is the process by which the uterus (womb) contracts or tightens in a regular pattern and causes the cervix (the mouth of the womb) to open and prepare for delivery. Labor is diagnosed when both uterine contractions and cervical change occur. The changes in the cervix can be evaluated during a pelvic examination by your practitioner.

No, we pride ourselves on being a practice without routines. We do not routinely do IVs, preps, enemas or episiotomies. We try to work with each patient on an individual basis and provide them with options so they can make an informed decision.

You should select a hospital prior to your due date in case complications arise. You should also know the symptoms and stages of labor and delivery which can help you remain focused and calm.

Some women prefer natural methods such as Lamaze. These techniques are usually taught outside the hospital prior to labor. Your obstetrician may prescribe intravenous (IV) or intramuscular medication for pain. These usually relieve pain for a few hours, but may make both you and your baby sleepy. Your obstetrician may request an anesthesia consult for spinal or epidural pain medication (more information below). You may also combine techniques.

Sometimes the catheter can be blocked off by the head of the baby being so tight that urine does not come out the catheter. Sometimes you are not getting enough fluids in the IV and don't form enough urine. Sometimes with pushing, the urine leaks around the catheter and nothing comes out in the bag. After delivery is sounds as if the catheter was not draining and your bladder overdistended. This may have been due to a blood clot in the catheter or a kinking.

Yes, unless the patient's condition or social situation compromises patient care or patient well-being.

Back labor are labor pains that are mostly felt through the lower back. Where the pain is felt, and the intensity with which it is experienced is mostly dependent on the individual mother and her nervous system.

We ask that you not have any visitors while you are a patient in the sleep center. Special exceptions are made for minors or patients with special needs. Each testing room has a phone for patients to use, yet we ask that there not be any direct phone calls to the patient rooms after 9 pm. If there is an emergent need to contact a patient, we ask that you call the sleep technologists' back line at (425) 732-3413.

A - Yes. Visiting can be good medicine for patients. Family members and friends are always welcome to visit. Normal visiting hours are from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, however hours are flexible. Please remember if you have a cold, sore throat, or are generally not feeling well, you should not visit patients. To protect our patient's privacy and to ensure patient confidentiality, visitors may be asked to leave the room during tests or treatments or when the doctor or nurse needs to see the patient.

Postpartum rooms cannot be reserved in advance. Because the majority of our postpartum rooms are private, you will most likely get a room to yourself. After the birth of your baby, let the nurse know if you would like a private postpartum room. Keep in mind that your insurance may charge extra for requesting a private room. In all, we have 52 postpartum rooms: 48 private and 4 semi-private. Your family and friends may room with you in the LDR and cots and bedding are available upon request.