Delivery Options in Las Vegas That Put Your Preferences First

A Cesarean section, commonly known as a C-section, is surgery in which a doctor makes an incision in your abdomen and womb to deliver your baby. Your doctor may recommend a C-section if it is a safer delivery option for you, your baby, or both. 

Common reasons for needing a C-section include:

• Baby is very large
• Labor isn’t progressing
• Pregnancy with multiple babies
• Fetal distress
• Health problems in the baby
• Mother has had a previous C-section
• Unusual positioning of the baby
• Mother has health problems
• Problems with the placenta

A C-section is performed in our labor and delivery department. You’ll be given general anesthesia to put you to sleep, or spinal anesthesia through an epidural injection. You’ll be awake, but you won’t feel any pain from your waist down.

Your surgical team preps your abdomen with antiseptic solution, and then your surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen and into your womb. Your baby is brought through this opening and your doctor closes the incisions. Generally, a C-section lasts about an hour, and your baby is born within the first few minutes of the procedure.

In most cases, you’ll stay in the hospital for two or three days after your C-section. Your incision will be monitored to make sure it heals properly and you’ll be given medication for pain as needed.

We’ll always be there when you need us at our San Martín Hospital, and our laborists are available 24/7 to deal with pregnancy emergencies and handle urgent deliveries until your doctor arrives at the hospital.

While these doctors do not replace your OB/GYN, laborists are board-certified obstetricians who are available around the clock in our birth center. Laborists can help by:

• Responding immediately to obstetric emergencies
• Offering complete care for women during labor, delivery, and postpartum
• Giving temporary care until a woman’s regular doctor arrives
• Assisting in the delivery of multiple babies (twins, triplets, etc.) and C-sections
• Aiding on-call obstetricians

We understand that everyone has different preferences for their labor and delivery, so we offer mothers plenty of options when bringing their little one into the world. For example, you can choose between a natural birth and delivery with an epidural, where anesthesia is inserted into your spine to numb the lower half of your body and relieve discomfort during childbirth. The birth centers at St. Rose Dominican are also the first in Nevada to offer nitrous oxide as an option to relieve pain during labor. This non-opioid option has been safely used for years in other states and countries and can replace narcotic medications that are commonly used for pain.

There are several advantages and disadvantages to all three options.

Natural Birth

Pros:

• There are no side effects from medication.
• You are able to walk around as you labor if you’d like.
• Some women feel empowered with a great sense of achievement.

Cons:

• You will feel intense pain during childbirth.
• You may feel fatigued if labor progresses slowly.
• Delivery may take longer if you are in extreme pain or exhausted.

Delivery With an Epidural

Pros:

• You will feel little or no pain during labor and delivery.
• You may feel more rested during labor and pushing.
• Some women say that having less pain gives them a more positive birth experience.

Cons:

• You will not be able to get out of bed after the epidural takes effect.
• The epidural could slow contractions.
• Sometimes the epidural does not work and may need to be repeated.

Your OB may advise against an epidural if:

• You are on blood thinners.
• You have an infection.
• You are not dilated past four centimeters.
• Your baby is too close to delivery.

Delivery With Nitrous Oxide

Pros:

• Does not interfere with labor, pushing, or breastfeeding and bonding with baby
• Easy to use — it’s self-administered by mom
• Lowers levels of anxiety
• Fast-acting pain relief
• Mom can move around while in labor
• Quick recovery. As soon as you pull the mask away, the effects of breathing the gas are gone in a few seconds.

Cons:

• Some women experience nausea or sleepiness, but this can be relieved by taking in a few deep breaths without using the mask.

Whatever delivery option you choose, our specialists will be there to help you recover after your delivery.

Women who have had a C-section during a previous pregnancy may still have the opportunity to have a vaginal birth (VBAC). Many moms would like to have a natural delivery as vaginal births require shorter recovery times, may help lessen your risks during future deliveries, include less blood loss, and lower risk of infection.

About 90% of women who have had a C-section in the past are still candidates for a vaginal delivery, and up to 80% of women who attempt a VBAC are successful. 

Women may not be able to have a VBAC, if they

• Have high vertical scars (the C-section incision was made going down the belly, not across)
• Want to induce labor
• Have a large or breech baby
• Have had a previous uterine rupture

The preparation for a VBAC is the same as the preparation for a regular vaginal delivery, and you can still have an epidural.

Women who have a successful vaginal birth after having had a C-section in the past will have about the same recovery experience as with a regular vaginal birth. However, your overall healing time will likely be much shorter than recovering from a C-section.

We strive to provide mothers with plenty of birth options, and we’re proud to be the first in Nevada to offer nitrous oxide during childbirth. Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers about this pain relief method.

What is nitrous oxide and how is it used for labor?

Nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a non-opioid pain relief option commonly used during delivery. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and breathed through a mask or mouthpiece while you’re in labor.

Why use nitrous oxide while in labor?

Here are a few benefits of using nitrous oxide during labor:

• Doesn’t contain opioids
• Doesn’t interfere with labor, pushing, breastfeeding, and bonding with your baby
• Easy to use
• Lowers levels of anxiety
• Fast acting pain relief
• Mom can move around while in labor
• Quick recovery

How is nitrous oxide administered?

Nitrous oxide must first be approved by your physician. You hold your own mask, and you can start to breathe in the gas about 30 seconds before a contraction begins. Also, you can put the mask or mouthpiece down between contractions and use it on and off as you choose. Your nurse will guide you and supervise your positioning and movement.

Do I have to choose between using nitrous oxide or having an epidural?

No. However, an epidural and nitrous oxide are not usually used at the same time. Some women use nitrous oxide before they have an epidural. You may choose to use only nitrous oxide, or you may choose to use nitrous oxide first before moving on to other methods of pain relief.

Will nitrous oxide affect my baby?

No. Nitrous oxide is the only method of pain relief used for labor that is cleared from your body through your lungs. As soon as you pull the mask away, the effects of breathing the gas are gone in a few seconds.

Does nitrous oxide have any side effects?

Some women experience nausea, but this can be relieved by taking a few deep breaths without using the mask. There is a chance that you can pass out for a minute if you breathe in too much gas, and that’s why you’re the only person that can control the amount of gas you receive.