Onset of labour
When a patient in labour is admitted, she will be:
- Evaluated by a midwife and her doctor or gynaecologist will be contacted
- Shaved
- Kept nil per mouth
- Given I.V. therapy (i.e. put on a drip)
- Given an enema if less than 5 cm dilated
At a later stage the patient’s membranes will be ruptured. The patient will be assisted by a midwife at all times.
Epidural anaesthetic
The same steps are followed as for an induction but, in addition, a urinary catheter is inserted to keep the patient’s bladder empty after the anaesthetic has been administered. (This will be removed + 2 hours after delivery if not done during the delivery).