LABOR & BIRTH

• Giving birth is a powerful physical and emotional experience. It leaves most new mothers feeling both exhausted and exhilarated.
• (2 STAGES) Giving birth, or labor

  • The beginning of labor
  • Stages of labor
• Lightening


  When the baby settles deep in the pelvis near the time of birth, reducing pressure on the woman's upper abdomen
• Early signs of labor

  • Show or bloody show (few blood drops or pinkish vaginal stain; mucous plug dissolving)
  • Water breaking (membrane or amniotic sac breaking)
  • Contractions (tightening and releasing of muscles in uterus)
• Mothers often report that contractions are painful but bearable. After the baby is born the placenta is also pushed out, contractions end and there is no lingering pain.
• Fetal monitoring


  Watching an unborn baby's heart rate for indications of stress, often using an ultrasound device
• Premature or preterm labor


  When the fetus has been developing in the womb for 37 weeks or less
• Warning signs of premature labor

  • Contractions every 10 minutes or less
  • Constant dull backache
  • Leaking fluid or blood
• False labor


  When a woman feels strong contractions but they are not regular, do not get stronger, and end with light exercise
• Inducing labor


  Starting labor artificially with medication or by puncturing the amniotic sac, often done for medical reasons or in an emergency
• Stages of labor


  1. Stage 1: Contractions open the cervix

  2. Stage 2: The baby is born

  3. Stage 3: The placenta is expelled
• Dilation


  The widening or opening of the cervix
• How a baby fits through the pelvis

  • Ligaments and connective tissues in the mother's pelvis stretch to allow the bones to move apart
  • The baby's soft skull allows it to become longer and narrower to fit through the pelvis and vagina
  • During labor, a hormone called relaxin allows the tissue to stretch like rubber bands
• Episiotomy


  A surgical cut to widen the opening
• Forceps


  A tool used to grasp the baby's body and guide its movement
• Vacuum extractor


  A tool that applies suction to the baby's head
• Cord blood


  The blood left behind in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth, which contains stem cells
• Cord blood stem cells can be used to treat many serious blood-related illnesses.
• Cesarean birth (C-section)


  The delivery of the baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen
• Premature babies are born before 37 weeks and weigh less than 5 pounds 8 ounces. They require special care because their organs are not fully developed.
• Incubator


  A special enclosed crib where the oxygen supply, temperature, and humidity are controlled for premature babies
• Labor and Birth


  • Powerful physical and emotional experience
  • Leaves most new mothers feeling both exhausted and exhilarated
• Giving birth (labor)


  1. Beginning of labor

  2. Stages of labor
• Early signs of labor

  • Show or bloody show (mucous plug dissolving)
  • Water breaking (membrane or amniotic sac breaking)
  • Contractions (tightening and releasing of uterine muscles)
• Contractions are painful but bearable, and end after the placenta is pushed out
• Premature or preterm labor


  Occurs when the fetus has been developing in the womb for 37 weeks or less
• False labor


  Strong contractions that are not regular, do not get stronger over time, and end with light exercise
• Inducing labor


  Starting labor with artificial means, such as medication or puncturing the amniotic sac, often for medical reasons or in an emergency
• Dilation


  Widening or opening of the cervix
• Breech presentation


  When the baby enters the pelvis with its feet or buttocks first, making for a more difficult delivery
• Transition


  The change when the cervix becomes fully dilated to 10 cm
• Second stage of labor

  • Contractions are more productive, pushing the baby through the pelvis and out of the vagina
  • Woman can safely push to expel the baby
• Episiotomy


  Surgical cut to widen the opening
• Forceps


  Tool used to grasp the baby's body and guide its movement
• Vacuum extractor


  Tool that applies suction to the baby's head
• Cord blood


  Blood left behind in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth, containing stem cells that can be used to treat serious blood-related illnesses
• How to cope with labor

  • Participation in birthing classes ( LAMAZE CLASS )
  • Use of anesthesia like epidural blocks
• Cesarean birth (C-section)


  Delivery of the baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen, done when complications arise or the baby is in distress
• Premature birth


  • Babies born before 37 weeks and weighing less than 5 pounds 8 ounces
  • Require special care in an incubator
  • May have long-term health or learning problems, but often catch up to average children by toddlerhood
• Giving birth


  A powerful physical and emotional experience that leaves most new mothers feeling both exhausted and exhilarated