Labor and Delivery: Common Misconceptions and What First-Time Moms Need to Know

Childbirth is one of the most complex and transformative experiences you may ever go through. It can be vulnerable, emotional, exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes a little scary. Some moments are difficult to put into words, and no two birth experiences are exactly alike.

At Lyndhurst Gynecologic Associates, we know what an incredible privilege it is to be part of such an important moment in your life. From the first contractions to the moment you meet your baby, our goal is to make sure you feel informed, supported, heard, and cared for every step of the way.

While we can’t predict exactly how your labor and delivery will unfold, we can help you feel prepared for what lies ahead. We sat down with Dr. Gaid to talk about what first-time moms should know before delivery, common misconceptions about labor, and the advice she wishes every expectant mom could hear before the big day.

Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your experience as a laborist?

A: I had the chance to work as a laborist for my first year with the practice. This meant that I primarily worked in the hospital, covering labor and delivery, caring for our antepartum patients, and seeing any inpatient or emergency room gynecology consults. Although a busy schedule, it was very rewarding to be able to care for so many of our patients on labor and delivery. It is a quick- paced environment where anything can happen in the blink of an eye. It can be some of the happiest or most difficult times, and I appreciate being able to support our patients through that.

Q: What are some common labor misconceptions, and how would you address them?

A:

• Labor should only take a few hours… Labor and inductions can range from several hours to several days. I try to remind patients not to get discouraged through this process and not to compare themselves to their neighbor, friend, or sister. I let my patients know that if we see a concern with labor not progressing, you’ll see me and we’ll be talking about what we need to do to monitor closer or adjust our plan.
• I should avoid induction because it can cause a c-section… Sometimes there are medical reasons why an induction is recommended to reduce risk to a mom or baby. It may be concerns with mom’s blood pressure or that the baby is growing smaller than expected. Having an induction of labor does not mean you will end up in a C-section.
• It’s either the epidural or nothing for pain… We can offer IV pain medication in the early stages of labor and nitrous oxide throughout labor. There is also no number of centimeters dilated you need to get to for an epidural. Just as each labor is different among patients, so is pain control. We want to know your goals to best support you during labor!

Q: Is there anything you want first-time moms to know before delivery?

A: For first-time moms, I think my best advice throughout pregnancy would be to ask questions! Social media can have some great information, but also some that may be misleading. We want to help guide you through pregnancy the best we can.

Q: Can you talk about the importance of Vitamin K?

A: This is so important! When you get to the hospital, your labor and delivery team will ask you a couple of questions about your preferences after delivery, including skin-to-skin and if you want the baby medications. Immediately following delivery, we recommend giving the baby a couple of medications, one of which is intramuscular Vitamin K. Vitamin K is a nutrient found in leafy greens, meat, and dairy. It helps our bodies form clots to stop bleeding. All babies are born with low vitamin K and need this supplement to help their bodies prevent bleeding. Without it, they are at risk for very dangerous and potentially life-threatening bleeding in the brain or the gut. It’s important to know that this is recommended by your OB/GYNs, as well as your pediatricians to keep baby as safe as possible.

You Don’t Have to Navigate It Alone

Preparing for labor and delivery can come with a lot of questions—and we want you to know that you never have to navigate them alone. Whether you have a question about something you’re experiencing, want to talk through your birth preferences, or simply need reassurance, our team is always here to help.

Our goal is for you to feel supported, informed, and confident as you approach delivery. We offer resources designed to help you feel prepared, including our Push Prep class, led by our incredible pelvic floor therapy team. We also provide a Lyndhurst Birth Plan, which gives you an opportunity to share your preferences and goals for your labor and delivery with your care team.

There are also a few important details to take care of before the big day. If you are delivering at Novant Health or Atrium Health, you will need to preregister with the hospital where you plan to deliver. We recommend taking care of this ahead of time so you can focus on what matters most when the time comes.

And if you’re wondering which Lyndhurst physician will be at the hospital when you go into labor, you can find our monthly call schedule on our website. This lets you see which providers are scheduled to be at the hospitals throughout the month.

Most importantly, remember that there is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to your pregnancy, labor, or delivery. We are honored to be part of this incredibly important chapter of your life, and we’re here to help you feel as prepared and confident as possible every step of the way.