Labor Delivery Stages Signs Symptoms Delivery Options Lightening
Labor & Delivery Stages, Signs & Symptoms Delivery Options
Lightening n n Fetus drops into the mother’s pelvis Relief of pressure on ribcage – breathing is easier n n During the 9 th month Head down position
Contractions of the Uterus n n n Begin as weak cramps & backache Gradually becomes more intense Braxton-Hicks - practice labor pains – prepare uterus for labor – helps circulate maternal blood
Show n n n Pinkish-red mucous plug Covers cervix Released at beginning of labor
First STAGE of Labor n Dilation Stage – ? ? ? hours n n Contractions begin & become longer, stronger, and closer together Cervix dilates from 0 to 10 centimeters
First STAGE of Labor - PHASES n Early Phase -Inactive – 0 to ? ? ? hours, 0 to 4 centimeters – Still at home (20 min. apart) n Active Phase – 4 to 8 cm. – Hospital (5 min. apart) n Transition Phase – (moves into birth canal) – 8 to 10 cm. – Most difficult - anesthetic given (2 min. apart)
Second STAGE of Labor n Delivery Stage – A few minutes to a few hours n n n Passage of baby down birth canal Amniotic fluid creates pressure Contractions push baby out – Stronger & closer together
Second Stage of Labor n n Crowning: baby’s head can be seen Forceps or vacuum may be used to guide baby’s head
Third STAGE of Labor n Afterbirth – 5 -30 Minutes n n Placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac, & lochia are delivered Episiotomy stitched up
Postpartum n n n Time after delivery (usually 6 weeks) Depression/blues may occur at this time Rest is the primary need after childbirth
Delivery Options
Delivery Options n Midwife – woman with some training in delivering n n n Home birth Water birth Usually unmedicated
Delivery Options n Birthing Room (at hospital or birthing center) – Labor, delivery & recovery in same room – Homelike environment
Delivery Options n Hospital Delivery – Labor and delivery in one room – Recovery in a separate room
n n APGAR Test on infant at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery – Activity – Pulse – Grimace – Appearance – Respiration
Delivery Types
Vaginal Delivery n Baby is in the normal headdown position
Breech Types n Frank Breech: Baby’s buttocks are at the top of the birth canal, and the legs are extended straight up in front of the body, with feet up near head.
Breech Types n Complete Breech: The buttocks are down, with legs folded at the knees and the feet near the buttocks
Breech Types n Footling Breech: One or both of the baby’s feet are pointing down
Cesarean Delivery n Abdomen muscles cut, baby is delivered through the stomach
Terminology Labor, Childbirth, and Postpartum Vocabulary
Stillbirth n When a full term baby is dead at birth
Fontanel n Soft spots on top of the baby’s head where the skull bones have not yet grown together.
Colostrum n Rich, watery fluid that comes from the mother’s breast before milk comes.
Dilate n The process of the cervix widening from 0 -10 cm to allow for the passage of the baby
Efface n The thinning of the cervix to prepare for delivery. You should be 100% effaced before giving birth.
Epidural Block n An injection between vertebrae in the lower back to numb the naval and thigh area.
Afterbirth n The placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac, and lochia delivered as the third stage of labor.
Postnatal n Time from birth to 6 weeks for baby
Circumcision n Removal of foreskin at the head of the penis
Episiotomy n Cutting of perineum during birth to prevent skin from tearing and to make delivery easier.
Placenta n Attached at the end of the umbilical cord to the uterine wall to transport nourishment from mother to baby.
Lochia n n A heavy vaginal discharge after birth of the baby Average flow is 21 days
Perineum n Skin between vaginal opening and the anus which may be cut during delivery
Premature n Baby born before full term or weighing under 5 1/2 lbs.
Miscarriage n Natural birth of fetus before it is developed, not full term.
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