Delivery: the real-deal and stuff no one tells you about

04/12/22 • 40 min

Learn why Rachel’s delivery room scene on “Friends” qualifies as “the most unrealistic birth ever.” Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist joins co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to guide you through the reality of labor (vaginal or C section), including: * Why you should expect to get an IV * Why your birth team may include up to 10 people in scrubs * Whether it’s okay to eat and drink during labor * Why things get messy (vomiting, pooping) and that’s actually fine * How you can prepare for effective pushing * What to do to prevent vaginal tearing

Previous Episode

Preparing for Delivery: Having a plan, but keeping it flexible

Your trip to the hospital, like a trip to go camping, will benefit from advanced planning. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist, joins Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D. to help you think of everything you’ll need, before you need it, including: * A birth plan * A “go bag” * How you want doctors to help control your pain * Who you want in the room (obstetrician, doula, midwife) * Delayed cord clamping * Pre-planned C section, if you want it

Next Episode

Post-partum: What to expect in the 6 weeks after delivery

Everything’s new. Everything’s exciting. And everything’s hard. The first six weeks after birth probably aren’t talked about enough. Myra J. Wick, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic obstetrician, gynecologist, and medical geneticist, joins Co-hosts Angela Mattke, M.D., and Nipunie Rajapakse M.D., for a candid convo of what comes after birth, including: * Diapers, pads, witch hazel, laxatives, and other essentials * Post-partum depression and anxiety * Getting baby to sleep — mom, too! * Building a village to help child and parents * Fatigue and exhaustion * Healing the birth canal * Keeping up with the parent treadmill — and regularly stepping off