Childbirth/pregnancy

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Expert: - 9/8/2009


Question
i am now 6 months pregnant.can i deliver normally if my cervix is short.please give your advice.

Answer
The way that a short cervix can affect labor and birth is that it makes it more likely that you will go into labor too soon. That's why your doctor or midwife may have you on bedrest or other restrictions - to lessen the chances of you going into labor and your baby being born early.

Once you get to term, unless there are other issues involved, you should be able to proceed with labor and birth normally. And because the cervix is short, you may even have a shorter labor!

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Dorothy H, LCCE

Expertise

As a certified childbirth educator and birth doula, I can answer questions dealing with preparing for birth, childbirth classes, pregnancy, what happens during labor and birth, doulas, VBAC, natural childbirth, cesarean birth, interventions in labor, labor, birth, helping someone through labor, concerns or fears about labor and birth, doulas, breastfeeding, and other topics dealing with pregnancy, labor, and birth.

Experience

Since 2004, I have taught childbirth education classes focused on helping couples gain confidence, make decisions for their birth, and give them tools for helping them get the birth they want. Since 2004, I have also attended births in local hospitals as a birth doula (as of 8/10, I have attended 120 births) so I am able to see firsthand what is working in helping couples deal with labor. I am also a mom of five children, and have various birth experiences myself, including unmedicated birth and a cesarean.

Organizations
Lamaze International DONA International

Publications
International Doula Magazine

Education/Credentials
I am a Lamaze-certified childbirth educator. I am a DONA-certified birth doula.

Past/Present Clients
I work with approximately 4-6 couples a month with my childbirth classes. I attend 2 births a month with doula clients.

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