Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth: - IAWG

C-58 Normal labour and childbirth- Provide a supportive, encouraging atmosphere for birth,respectful of the woman’s wishes;- Ensure privacy and confidentiality.• Maintain cleanliness of the woman and her environment:- Encourage the woman to wash herself or bathe or shower atthe onset of labour;- Wash the vulval and perineal areas before each examination;- Wash your hands with soap before and after eachexamination;- Ensure cleanliness of labouring and birthing area(s);- Clean up all spills immediately.• Ensure mobility:- Encourage the woman to move about freely;- Support the woman’s choice of position for birth (Fig C-2,page C-59).• Encourage the woman to empty her bladder regularly.Note: Do not routinely give an enema to women in labour.• Encourage the woman to eat and drink as she wishes. If the womanhas visible severe wasting or tires during labour, make sure she isfed. Nutritious liquid drinks are important, even in late labour.• Teach breathing techniques for labour and delivery. Encourage thewoman to breathe out more slowly than usual and relax with eachexpiration.• Help the woman in labour who is anxious, fearful or in pain:- Give her praise, encouragement and reassurance;- Give her information on the process and progress of herlabour;- Listen to the woman and be sensitive to her feelings.• If the woman is distressed by pain:- Suggest changes of position (Fig C-2, page C-59);- Encourage mobility;