Introduction
Childbirth is a cardinal process that holds the potential to endanger the life of both mother and baby. Throughout labor, extensive care and mental support for the expectant mother need to be ensured to facilitate and guide the childbirth. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the need for care throughout the labor and emphasized it as every expectant mother’s right to access care during their labor. Appropriate care during different phases of childbirth or labor plays a crucial role in shaping the outcome of pregnancy. Various clinical studies have exposed the impact of intrapartum care in curbing the birth-associated mortality of the baby and the mother.
What Is Intrapartum Care?
Intrapartum care is a comprehensive approach for expectant mothers approaching the estimated delivery date. It emphasizes the care that should be offered to expectant mothers within the range of full term (37 to 42 weeks of pregnancy). Childbirth, a painful and emotionally demanding condition, entails prompt care throughout the process, achieved through intrapartum care. The intrapartum period spans from the initiation of labor until it culminates with the baby's birth. The WHO set forth specific guidelines concerning intrapartum care that aid the expectant mother in experiencing a positive childbirth journey. The recommendations for intrapartum care have been devised by analyzing the need for that particular stage or phase of childbirth. It provides provision for the expectant mother to make informed decisions concerning their childbirth, which helps them ease the stress and anxiety accompanying childbirth.
What Are the Key Objectives of Intrapartum Care?
Intrapartum care is being offered to enhance and facilitate the childbirth process. The objectives and rationale behind intrapartum care include the following:
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Intrapartum care ensures one-to-one care and attention for every single expectant mother. The individualized approach helps the caretakers to focus on every step of the women’s labor.
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It establishes access for the expectant mother to necessary healthcare provisions, including medical staff. So, in the event of unforeseen complications, necessary interventions can be undertaken to safeguard the lives of the mother and baby.
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Intrapartum care provides opportunities for effective management of pain that accompanies the labor. Pain management can be pharmacological (pills or anesthesia) or non-pharmacological (birthing pools) measures.
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Comforting the expectant mother while experiencing agonizing pain during labor is another important objective that aids in tackling the mother’s anxiety.
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Intrapartum care renders emotional backup for the laboring mother and the family members to help them through childbirth. Thus, it aids in guiding the laboring mother through a positive labor experience.
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Thorough labor progression monitoring is possible through the intrapartum care approach, which enables healthcare providers to identify potential complications that could arise during the childbirth course.
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Establishing proper communication with the laboring mother is another crucial objective, which assists in addressing the insecurities and apprehension of the mother throughout the process.
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The supreme objective behind the intrapartum care approach is to optimize the mother's and baby's safety by facilitating safe labor.
What Are the General Guidelines Proposed for Intrapartum Care?
The WHO has set forth certain recommendations and guidelines concerning intrapartum care. These guidelines are globally accepted and practiced to optimize and shape pregnancy outcomes, thereby curbing the death rates associated with childbirth. The general guidelines for intrapartum care encompass the following:
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Birthplace Selection: The expectant mother has the right to choose the place for delivery. For a low-risk pregnancy, the birthplace can be a hospital, home, or midwifery setting. For pregnancies with anticipated birth complications, pregnant women need to be made aware of the need for a hospital setting in the event of a medical emergency. However, the women can plan the birthplace considering the advice from the medical professionals to have a successful childbirth.
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Respect for the Expectant Mother: Due respect should be accorded to the expectant mother. The intrapartum care should be delivered so that the women’s privacy, self-respect, and confidentiality are respected and cared for. Any mistreatment of a pregnant mother is strictly not appreciated, and necessary precautions should be taken to check such instances.
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Companionship: The pregnant mother can choose whom to accompany during labor. The presence of the companion of their choice boosts their emotional and mental strength, directly influencing the birthing process. It also helps the mother overcome insecurities and unwanted anxiety by optimizing emotional and mental strength throughout childbirth. Various clinical studies have proven that the companion of choice enhances the mental well-being of laboring women.
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Effective Communication: The intrapartum care team should establish proper communication with the expectant mother. Proper communication enables securing a connection and rapport, which aids in gathering an idea of the women’s anticipation concerning their childbirth. It enables the caregivers to comfort the women as per their expectations. Establishing communication also aids in alleviating unnecessary worries and tension concerning laboring and childbirth.
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Movement Freedom: The expectant mother should not be restrained from moving, particularly during the labor initiation phase. Low-grade movements are recommended as per the expectant woman’s choice.
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Birth Position Choice: The expectant woman can make decisions concerning the position of birth with which the woman feels comfortable and at ease. A comfortable position facilitates the process of childbirth.
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Measures for Pain Relief: The woman’s choice should be considered for establishing pain relief. The pharmacological strategies in pills or conservative strategies like birthing pool and massaging need to be discussed with the expectant mother to understand the woman’s preference, if any. Relaxation strategies like breathing exercises and music therapy are also advised for low-risk, healthy, expectant mothers.
The recommendations and specifications for intrapartum care vary with high-risk pregnancies and expectant mothers with other health comorbidities that can significantly impact the childbirth process. In addition, these recommendations are advised during specific phases of labor to ensure safe childbirth. Recommendations are also advised for the care of newborn babies.
Conclusion
Intrapartum care is an advanced and novel approach that offers the expectant mother a safer birthing experience. It is a holistic and women-centric approach that helps laboring women make informed decisions concerning childbirth. It also focuses on the care for the newborn baby and mother following birth. Postpartum monitoring and assessment also come under intrapartum care. It recommends early breastfeeding and keeping the baby in contact with the maternal body to enhance their bonding. Intrapartum care offers human rights for the expectant mother to experience a positive childbirth journey, thereby significantly curbing maternal and infant pregnancy-associated death and disabilities.
