LABOR DELIVERY The Miracle of Birth Stage 1

LABOR & DELIVERY The Miracle of Birth

Stage 1 - LABOR n Dilation of the cervix - contractions begin u. Cervix n “opens” u. Membrane around baby ruptures F“water breaks” u. Baby’s head begins to push into birth canal u 1 st stage ends when cervix is fully dilated to 10 cm Average time 8 -10 hours. (can be longer and shorter.

Amniotic Sac

Stage 1 - LABOR n n n 1 -3 cm. Contractions are easy - 10 to 15 seconds long, 10 -20 minutes apart (can last weeks) 4 -7 cm. Contractions gradually get stronger and last longer 8 -10 cm. Transition stage - hardest part of labor, contractions last 60 -90 seconds with 60 -90 second break between contractions

Ways to help avoid some of the pain and discomfort of delivery. . . Narcotics - help to mask some of the pain, given either by a shot or put into an IV drip Epidural - a needle is inserted into the spine and medicine is slowly dripped into the spinal cord which numbs the entire area http: //video. about. com/pregnancy/During-an-Epidural. htm

Stage 2 - DELIVERY n n Pushing stage - delivery of the baby May last anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours, depending on mother & baby Episiotomy - is a medical procedure to help widen the opening of the birth canal, a doctor makes an incision to that enlarges vaginal opening Cesarean Section “C-section” - the baby is delivered by cutting open the mother’s abdomen and uterus

Cesarean Section http: //video. about. com/pregnancy/Cesarean-Section. htm

Stage 3 – AFTERBIRTH n n n Afterbirth - delivery of the placenta, amniotic sac and other membranes Usually very easily delivered Usually only takes a few minutes

How would you want your child to be delivered? n n ABC Rooms - alternative birthing centers, family, showers, video, etc. Lamaze - breathing, relaxation, natural birth planning, practice and delivery preparation Leboyer method of birth - non-violent way of child delivery- lighting, noise level, and immediate skin to skin… Underwater delivery - baby born under the water in a special tub

AFTER THE DELIVERY. . . LEBOYER METHOD OF BIRTH/DELIVERY 1. Warm up the delivery room to about 80 degrees 2. Lights hurt a newborn baby’s eyes - so turn them down 3. Baby’s can hear - so whisper 4. Put baby on mom’s tummy - cut cord 5. For nine months baby has floated in warm fluid…so give the baby a bath in warm water and let it feel the floating sensation again…help ease this traumatic transition