The Evidence-Informed Guide to Labor & Birth Procedures

Giving birth involves many possible paths — some planned, some unexpected. Understanding the tools, options, and medical procedures that might be recommended helps you enter labor feeling confident, informed, and prepared to make decisions that feel right for you.

This guide explains each procedure in neutral, simple language, including:


✔ What it is
✔ Why it might be used
✔ Potential benefits
✔ Possible considerations or risks

Use this guide to build clarity before creating your birth plan.

Induction

Induction is the process of beginning labor with medical or manual methods instead of waiting for it to start naturally. This may involve gently sweeping the membranes, using medications to soften the cervix, placing a small balloon to help the cervix open, or giving Pitocin to encourage contractions.

Benefits

  • Can help prevent complications when staying pregnant is no longer safest

  • Allows labor to begin when medical conditions arise (high BP, diabetes, low fluid)

  • Reduces risk of stillbirth when pregnancy goes far past due date

  • May help baby if tests suggest they need to be born sooner

Risks / Considerations

  • Induced labor may take longer than natural labor

  • Stronger or more frequent contractions

  • Increased likelihood of needing pain medication

  • Rare but possible risks: uterine overstimulation, changes in baby’s heart rate

  • May increase chance of additional interventions depending on how labor progresses

Augmentation

Augmentation is the process of strengthening or speeding up labor when contractions slow down or become less effective. This may involve breaking the water, giving Pitocin to encourage a steadier contraction pattern, or using other supportive methods depending on how labor is progressing.

Benefits

  • Helps contractions become more effective

  • May shorten a prolonged labor

  • Can support safer birth if baby needs to be delivered sooner

  • Allows labor to continue progressing when it has stalled

Risks / Considerations

  • Contractions may become stronger or more frequent

  • Increased likelihood of needing pain medication

  • May require continuous fetal monitoring

  • Rare but possible: overly strong contractions affecting baby’s heart rate

  • Could increase chance of additional interventions depending on response

Epidural

An epidural is a form of medical pain relief that provides numbing from the waist down. It is placed by an anesthesiologist and can be adjusted throughout labor.

Benefits

  • Very effective pain relief

  • Allows rest during long or intense labors

  • Helps reduce stress and tension

  • Can be helpful for certain medical situations

Risks / Considerations

  • May limit mobility

  • Often requires a catheter

  • Possible drop in blood pressure

  • Can lengthen pushing stage

  • Rare: headache, patchy numbing, or need for replacement

IV or IM Pain Medication

These medications are given through an IV or injection to take the edge off contractions without fully numbing the body.

Benefits

  • Provides temporary relief

  • Helps reduce anxiety or tension

  • Useful early in labor

Risks / Considerations

  • Can cause drowsiness or nausea

  • May cross the placenta

  • Not ideal close to delivery

  • Less effective than an epidural

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is an inhaled pain relief option used during contractions. You control when and how much you use.

Benefits

  • Works quickly and wears off fast

  • Helps reduce anxiety

  • Does not limit movement

  • Can be used alongside other comfort tools

Risks / Considerations

  • May cause dizziness or nausea

  • Doesn’t eliminate pain — reduces intensity

  • Not available at all birth locations

Fetal Monitoring

Monitoring tracks the baby’s heart rate to ensure they’re tolerating labor well. It may be intermittent or continuous, depending on the situation.

Benefits

  • Helps identify how baby is responding to labor

  • Continuous monitoring is important when risks are present

  • Intermittent monitoring allows more mobility

Risks / Considerations

  • Continuous monitoring may restrict movement

  • Monitors can sometimes give false alarms

  • May influence recommendations for interventions

Episiotomy

An episiotomy is a small incision made at the vaginal opening to widen the space for baby’s birth.

Benefits

  • Allows faster birth in urgent situations

  • May help in specific fetal or maternal circumstances

  • Can be helpful when baby needs to be born quickly

Risks / Considerations

  • Higher likelihood of deeper tears

  • Longer healing time

  • Increased discomfort postpartum

Vacuum or Forceps

Tools such as a vacuum or forceps may be used to help guide the baby out during the pushing stage when additional support is needed.

Benefits

  • Allows faster birth in urgent situations

  • May help in specific fetal or maternal circumstances

  • Can be helpful when baby needs to be born quickly

Risks / Considerations

  • Higher likelihood of deeper tears

  • Longer healing time

  • Increased discomfort postpartum

Cesarean Birth

A cesarean birth is a surgical procedure where the baby is born through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.

Benefits

  • Life-saving for parent or baby in certain situations

  • Can be calm and planned when scheduled

  • Necessary for conditions like placenta previa or breech presentation

Risks / Considerations

  • Major abdominal surgery with longer recovery

  • Higher risk of infection or bleeding

  • Scar tissue may affect future pregnancies

  • Baby may have more fluid in lungs at birth

Placenta Delivery

After baby is born, the placenta is delivered either naturally or with medical assistance. Natural delivery relies on contractions; active management uses medication and gentle traction.

Benefits

  • Natural: Allows body to complete the process independently

  • Active: Reduces risk of postpartum hemorrhage

  • Both: Safe when used appropriately

Risks / Considerations

  • Natural: May take longer; bleeding risk in some cases

  • Active: May increase after-birth cramping; involves medication

  • Approach depends on stability of parent and baby

Delayed Cord Clamping

Delayed cord clamping means waiting for it to stop pulsing, before cutting the umbilical cord, usually 30–60 seconds or longer.

Benefits

  • Increases baby’s iron stores

  • Improves blood volume and oxygen levels

  • Shown to support better outcomes in both term and preterm babies

Risks / Considerations

  • Slight increase in risk of jaundice (manageable if monitored)

  • In rare urgent situations, immediate clamping may be recommended

Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin means placing baby directly on your chest immediately after birth and keeping them there uninterrupted whenever possible.

Benefits

  • Regulates baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing

  • Supports bonding and emotional connection

  • Encourages breastfeeding and stable blood sugar

  • Reduces stress for both parent and baby

Risks / Considerations

  • None significant when baby is stable

  • In some medical situations, may be delayed until safe

Delayed Newborn Bath

Baby’s first bath can happen soon after birth or be delayed for several hours or days.

Benefits

  • Helps baby stay warm and regulate blood sugar

  • Preserves vernix, which protects skin

  • Supports breastfeeding and bonding

Risks / Considerations

  • Early bath may lower baby’s temperature or blood sugar

  • Timing is flexible depending on family preference and hospital policy

Erythromycin Eye Ointment

This ointment is applied to the baby’s eyes shortly after birth to protect against certain bacteria that can cause serious eye infections.

Benefits

  • Prevents eye infections acquired during birth

  • Protects vision and prevents complications

  • Standard newborn care in many hospitals

Risks / Considerations

  • Temporary blurred vision

  • Some parents choose to delay application for bonding

  • Requirements vary by state/country

Vitamin K Injection

Vitamin K is given shortly after birth to prevent a rare but serious bleeding disorder that newborns are naturally at risk for. It is typically given as a single injection in the thigh.

Benefits

  • Strongly reduces risk of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding

  • Protects against internal bleeding that may not be immediately noticeable

  • One-time dose with long-lasting protection

  • Recommended by pediatric organizations worldwide

Risks / Considerations

  • Brief discomfort at injection site

  • Mild redness or soreness is possible

  • Oral alternatives exist in some regions but require multiple doses and may be less effective

Hepatitis B Vaccine

The Hepatitis B vaccine can be given in the hospital or delayed until the first pediatric appointment. It protects against a virus that can cause chronic liver disease.

Benefits

  • Protects baby from potential exposure

  • Safe at birth or later in infancy

  • Recommended even if parents are Hep B negative, due to unexpected exposures

Risks / Considerations

  • Mild soreness at injection site

  • Some parents prefer to delay until the first pediatric visit

  • Timing can be flexible based on family preference

Private Cord Banking

Private banking stores your baby’s cord blood and stem cells for your family’s potential future medical use. Collection happens shortly after birth, and storage requires a private banking service with yearly fees.

Benefits

  • May support treatment for certain medical conditions in the future
    • Personally reserved for your baby or family members if ever needed
    • Collection is painless and completed shortly after birth
    • Offers a feeling of preparedness and long-term security for some families

Risks / Considerations

  • Cost includes initial collection and ongoing annual storage fees
    • Stem cells may never be needed or used in a lifetime
    • Delayed cord clamping can reduce collection volume (ask provider if both are possible)
    • Requires pre-birth enrollment and a collection kit brought to the hospital

Placenta Encapsulation

Encapsulation involves preparing and drying the placenta after birth to consume as capsules during postpartum. Some parents choose it for energy, healing, and emotional support — though research is still limited.

Benefits

  • Many parents report improved mood, energy, and recovery postpartum
    • May support iron levels and hormone balance after birth
    • Can be meaningful for those who view the placenta as sacred or healing
    • Available through doulas and certified encapsulation specialists

Risks / Considerations

  • Research is limited, and benefits are not guaranteed
    • Safety depends on proper handling, temperature, and sanitation
    • Not all hospitals release the placenta automatically (may require paperwork)
    • Should be prepared only by trained and reputable professionals

Create Your Birth Plan

Create Your Birth Plan

There is no right way to give birth.