Advance Care Planning

Before coming to the hospital, it is important to make sure your health care decisions and wishes are clearly noted and communicated to your family, your physician, and your caregivers at the hospital. Two important points to remember:

It is your right to participate in and plan for your care.
It is best to define your medical care wishes when you are not in an emergency situation.

The State of New Hampshire recognizes the following two forms of Advance Directives to communicate health care decisions:

Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a document in which you identify another person to act as your health care agent to make medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated. It is important that you choose a health care agent who will follow your health care decisions. This document enables you to include instructions regarding the measures you wish to have honored in relation to your health care needs

Living Will allows you to define your wishes in regard to life sustaining measures if you have a terminal condition or are permanently unconscious

For help with understanding Advanced Directives, Exeter Hospital provides a printable online copy of the Advance Care Planning Guide. Professionals at Exeter Hospital are available to assist in this process and to answer any questions that may arise. For more information, please contact Social Services at (603) 778-7311.

Can you tell the gender of my baby by the baby's heart rate?
No. Some say that the baby's heart rate is an indication of the gender, but we have found that it is not an accurate indicator.

How long will I be in labor and when will my baby arrive?
Unfortunately, there is no way of answering this question. Every woman's labor is different, and there are many different variables that affect the length, effectiveness and time of your labor and delivery.

Will the epidural slow down my labor?
Sometimes, labor can go slower after an epidural. Because you are inactive, in bed, and not able to walk, it may slow down your labor. However, with some individuals an epidural may actually allow for relaxation. This relaxation may result in the baby moving more quickly through the birth canal. It is important to remember that while the epidural will take most of the pain away, you will still feel pressure from the baby moving through the birth canal.

When can I get my epidural?
An epidural is anesthesia that is placed in your back. It numbs your body from the waist down, and relieves most of the pain of labor. Different providers have different thoughts about when the epidural can be done. Some providers require a patient progress to four centimeters before they get the epidural. Others will allow for it sooner in labor. We suggest that you discuss this subject with your provider.

How do I know when it is time to push?
When you are fully dilated and the baby is in position, your body will tell you that it is time to push. The urge to push is natural and you may find your body doing it with no direction from you what-so-ever. At this point, as long as your are fully dilated, your nurse will help you through this final stage of labor.

How do I push effectively?
Use your abdominal muscles, positioning chin to chest, and take a deep breath and push, while pulling your legs up to your chest. This is the most effective way to help your baby advance through the birth canal.

Will the pain get worse as my labor progresses?
Yes. The pain of labor is something that can be controlled with relaxation techniques, medication, or by means of an epidural. You may also choose to practice Hypnobirthing, which is taught in a class prior to delivery. Any of these options are available in the Family Center to make your labor as comfortable as possible.

When will my milk come in?
The average length of time it takes for breast milk to come in is 3-5 days. This varies from one individual to another. If you have any questions, please feel free to call one of our Lactation Consultants at (603) 580-4324.