Image credit: istockphoto.com/portfolio/FatCamera
What are non-invasive prenatal care and testing?
Following the first screening of your baby whilst pregnant, you may have been informed of your child having a higher chance of a chromosomal condition once they are born.
You will get the chance to undergo non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). This screening test involves a blood test, which is more accurate than the first initial screening.
This is only offered to those carrying a baby who has a higher chance of either Down’s syndrome, Edward’s syndrome, or Patau’s syndrome.
NIPT is entirely safe and will not harm you or your baby. However, it can lead to you making difficult decisions, such as carrying out diagnostic tests which would result in miscarriage.
Prenatal tests at different times:
- During the first trimester: During the first trimester, prenatal tests include blood tests and an ultrasound. These tests help to measure nuchal translucency. The nuchal translucency refers to the size and shape of the tissue on the baby’s back neck. These tests are necessary to evaluate the risk of various conditions.
- During the second trimester: During the second trimester, the prenatal test includes a blood test. This test helps to measure four substances in the blood of the mother with the help of a quad screen. This test is essential to recognize whether there are any chromosomal dysfunctions in a baby. It can also help to spot spinal cord and brain anomalies.
What are the benefits of prenatal tests?
- Prenatal testing can help to get rid of anxiety. When you the condition of the baby’s health in advance, you will feel more relaxed. Prenatal testing can also derive accurate results. Therefore, if your baby is in normal condition, you can continue to your pregnancy confidently and without fear. If the test results indicate that there is a risk of genetic disorders in your baby, you can go through counselling and decide what is best for you with the available information.
- With the help of prenatal testing, you can opt for the processes during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. You can fix some conditions after birth. You can also plan to fix some issues during pregnancy. Therefore, this testing will bring peace to your life and improve your baby’s quality of life. You can also determine how you are going to give birth to your child and organize the essential equipment and personnel. You can decide whether you and your baby are in the right conditions for a natural childbirth.
What are the risks of intervention during labour?
Intervention during labour involves a doctor or midwife intervening to assist with the delivery of your baby. You might need this intervention to help begin the birthing process, to support your labour or to directly assist with the birth. Intervention may occur if you have a health condition that could result in labour complications, your labour is progressing slowly or your baby is showing signs of distress.
Intervention during labour is usually recommended in the best interest of the mother and child. However, there are a few risks to labour intervention, as these practices may disrupt your natural pregnancy path.
Intervention can interfere with various hormones that help move the birth along. It can also increase the likelihood of infections and may have negative effects on the baby. Plus, it can trigger a negative mindset in the mother, as they feel their body has failed them. However, you can make a number of compensation claims, including brain injury claims, to give you peace of mind before you give birth.
What are the benefits of natural childbirth?
Your method of labour delivery may not always be under your control. However, there are many benefits to giving birth to your child naturally.
- Faster labour: Using medication to ease the pain can slow down contractions and disrupt your body’s natural labour process. You’ll also be numb to the pain and therefore will struggle to know when it’s time to push. Giving birth naturally can result in faster labour and delivery.
- Faster recovery: Women who have given birth without medication are generally able to get up and move around shortly after labour. This can help stimulate healing and encourage healthy blood circulation.
- Lower risk of intervention: As medication slows down the birthing process, there may be an increased chance of intervention to help move the baby along. This risk is reduced when giving birth naturally.
- Freedom during labour:
If you are having IVs, an epidural, or continuous EFM (electronic fetal monitoring), then you will be stuck in the bed, you can not move, change positions, or walk. You will not be able to use your toilet, instead, you will get a catheter inserted. On the other hand, natural childbirth gives you the freedom to move and work. This makes natural childbirth easier and often faster. You will also have the freedom to drink and eat.
- Safer for baby: Natural childbirth is also safe for your baby. Your baby will become more alert and be able to move in a more organized way a month after birth. Therefore, natural childbirth is not only a good option for the mother but also for the baby.
- Better Breastfeeding: Your baby is more likely to breastfeed well in the case of natural childbirth. In other cases, your baby may be a little sleepy. The ability of the baby to breathe, suck and swallow will be more organized in the case of natural birth. Your baby will have a good sucking reflex.
- Healthy gut flora: Natural childbirth brings benefits to the guts of your baby. To improve the digestion and immune system in your baby, gut bacteria have a significant role.
Apart from these benefits, natural childbirth brings plenty of other benefits to your baby, such as it reduces the risk of illness in adults and improves overall wellness, your baby’s brain will develop better, and your baby will learn better social skills. More importantly, natural childbirth is cheaper in comparison to caesarean delivery. Know your options and choose the best option for you and your baby.
