1. Best Start - Prenatal Education Program Medical Interventions & Caesarean Birth

2. Suney and Tara

3. Listening to Baby’s Heartbeat

4. Medical Interventions Stripping the membranes Cervical ripening agents Artificial rupture of membranes

5. Medical Interventions Intravenous infusion OxytocinEpisiotomy

6. Pain Relief Options B - What are the benefits? R - What are the risks? A - What are the alternatives?

7. Narcotic Analgesics

8. Nitrous Oxide

9. Epidurals and Spinals - Description

10. Epidurals and Spinals - Procedure

11. Epidurals and Spinals - Benefits and Side Effects Benefits Effective method of pain relief Allows the labouring woman to rest Allows her to be awake and alert Possible Side effects Limited mobility Incomplete pain relief Headache Shivering Decrease in blood pressure, possibly decreasing fetal heart rate Slowed labour Decreased ability to effectively push Possible effects on the baby

12. Assisted Birth

13. Caesarean Birth - Why it is Done

14. Caesarean Birth - Potential Complications

15. Caesarean Birth - What to Expect

18. Medications and Breastfeeding

19. Birth Video

20. Birth Plan

23. Additional Resources Hospital or birthing centre tour Health care provider Certified Doula Public health unit Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada Childbirth Connection Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association Canada (CAPPA Canada) International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN) Lamaze International International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA)

24. This Best Start Resource Centre teaching tool was developed with input from a wide range of individuals from these organizations of individuals from these organizations

25. This document has been prepared with funds provided by the Government of Ontario © 2011 www.beststart.org The information represents the best practice guidelines at the time of publication. The content is not officially endorsed by the Government of Ontario. Consult your health care provider for information specific to your pregnancy.