Hi. I'm Mark, and I'm going to talk to you today about anesthesia, or the methods of pain relief that you can have during your delivery. Most delivery anesthesia is "regional", which means that nerves coming from your uterus and vagina are numbed. Nearly two million women choose regional anesthesia for labor each year.

Another type of anesthesia is “general” anesthesia. When general anesthesia is used, a woman is in a more traditional operating room setting and is unconscious during delivery.

Although many women do go through childbirth and delivery without medication, delivering your baby is not supposed to be a trial by ordeal or a test of bravery. Medical technology gives you the option of safe and effective pain relief while you're having your baby. The good news is that your pain can be relieved while you’re still fully aware of what's happening. In many cases, you can still be aware of your contractions, but without the pain.

The two most common types of regional anesthesia are "spinal" and "epidural". Both types work to numb the pain of contractions. The difference between the two is the location in your back where the anesthetic is placed to block the pain. With a spinal anesthetic, the numbing solution is injected directly into a "sac" in your back that contains the nerves that run from your vagina and uterus. Epidural anesthesia involves putting a catheter near that same "sac". The catheter allows the anesthesia to enter your system slowly during the final stages of labor.

There are also several effective medications that can be administered intravenously.

I was a little concerned about anesthesia and how it would affect the baby. I mean if it has an effect on me then how can it not have an effect on the child? I was a little worried that it might hurt his brain or even the way he breathed. I was really afraid of being allergic to some of the stuff. I had never had any history of that, but that was always something that crossed my mind. I felt like we had educated ourselves ahead of time, and so a lot of, I think our fears were alleviated just by talking through the issues of anesthesia with the doctor. I learned that there were several types of pain medications that I could use before I needed to have an epidural. One concern with getting the epidural is if I would get it too late then I might not have the sensation to push. I was concerned about residual back pain. I was concerned about does it hurt to actually put that needle in your back? I went to that class and was so excited, and I thought, "okay, I can do this. I'm not gonna need any medication. It's going to be fine," and didn't quite turn out that way. I did decide to have an epidural during my labor, and at that point I wasn't worried about paralysis, I was worried about some relief. Like, I’d like that epidural now, please. I don't think the test of a woman is if she can get through childbirth without any medication. I didn't feel like I had to go through an extreme amount of pain to have a baby if I didn't have to. I think that I can experience the entire process even having medication. I was pro-natural. For my second, third and fourth baby, I was like, "no, I’m having natural. I have to go through this." but by cara the doctor came and said, "how would you like to birth this baby?" and I said, "I don't want to suffer," and I had the epidural and I felt no guilt.

You may be familiar with the term "cesarean section", or C-section. A “C-section” is what it's called when your baby is delivered by your doctor through an incision in your abdomen and uterus. This operation is used when a vaginal birth is not possible.

One in four babies in the US is delivered by cesarean section. At one time, it was believed that once you had a C-section, all of your future children had to be delivered that way. Providers were concerned that your uterus might have been weakened by the first operation. Today, most women are encouraged to try for a vaginal birth after previously having a C-section. This procedure is called a V-BAC. Your provider will review the records of your previous labors in order to determine if a V-BAC is recommended for you. 60 – 85% of women succeed in having a vaginal birth after cesarean. Your provider will be happy to give you more information about this option and about the potential risks of V-BAC.

Feeding is one of your baby's first pleasant experiences. While he's feeding, your baby not only gets nourishment, he gets a sense of total security from being held in your arms. Babies love to be cuddled. It's important for you to feel comfortable with the way you choose to feed your baby, so he doesn't pick up on any stress during feeding. Your baby is very sensitive to your emotions.

After your baby is born, you may find that feeding him feels like a full time job, particularly during the first few months of his life. There are two feeding options – breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. Breast-feeding has many advantages for both mother and baby and has been proven by far to be the best nutrition for infants. After all, it's made just for them. Breast milk is easier for your baby to digest than formula, and it gives your baby antibodies that help him fight illnesses.

Bottle-feeding your baby formula is another option. Although second best to breast milk, formula does provide all the necessary nutrients for your baby to grow. There are pros and cons to each method so just be sure that whichever method you choose, it is one that YOU are committed to.

The decision about whether or not to circumcise a baby boy can be challenging. Circumcision is an operation where the foreskin, the skin that covers the end of the penis, is removed. It takes just a few minutes and is usually performed during the baby's first week of life. There isn't a clear answer on whether or not there is a need for circumcision. While circumcisions are being performed less today than in the past, they are still done routinely in most hospitals. It comes down to personal choice -- what you, as parents feel is best for your baby. Since many people have strong feelings about circumcision, it's probably best to discuss it before your baby arrives. Then, once your baby is born, your time can be spent enjoying the moment instead of debating the issue.

Before I had my first baby, a friend asked me what I would like for a shower gift. I realized then that I didn't have a clue. I'd never had a baby before, and I didn't know what I would need once my baby was home from the hospital.

I learned that babies need:

• clothing and linens
• diapers and wipes
• toiletries
• medicines
• feeding supplies
• furniture
• stroller
• car seat

It can be a pretty extensive shopping list.

If you have older children, it's important to help them feel involved with the new baby. Ask their opinion when planning for the baby, get their input on names, and allow them to help you once your new baby is home. Big brothers and sisters need to be reassured that they are just as special to you now as they've always been.

If you have a house pet, there are also some specific things that you can do to make sure they don't feel threatened by your new baby. One example is to bring home a piece of clothing that your baby has worn at the hospital and have your pet smell it so that he will become familiar with your baby's scent.