Stages, Signs & Symptoms Delivery Options Labor & Delivery Stages, Signs & Symptoms Delivery Options

Lightening Fetus drops into the mother’s pelvis Relief of pressure on ribcage breathing is easier During the 9th month Head down position

Contractions of the Uterus Begin as weak cramps & backache Gradually becomes more intense Braxton-Hicks - practice labor pains prepare uterus for labor helps circulate maternal blood

Show Pinkish-red mucous plug Covers cervix Released at beginning of labor

First STAGE of Labor Dilation Stage ??? hours Contractions begin & become longer, stronger, and closer together Cervix dilates from 0 to 10 centimeters

First STAGE of Labor - PHASES Early Phase -Inactive 0 to ??? hours, 0 to 4 centimeters Still at home (20 min. apart) Active Phase 4 to 8 cm. Hospital (5 min. apart) Transition Phase (moves into birth canal) 8 to 10 cm. Most difficult - anesthetic given (2 min. apart)

Second STAGE of Labor Delivery Stage Passage of baby down birth canal A few minutes to a few hours Passage of baby down birth canal Amniotic fluid creates pressure Contractions push baby out Stronger & closer together

Second Stage of Labor Crowning: baby’s head can be seen Forceps or vacuum may be used to guide baby’s head

Third STAGE of Labor Afterbirth 5-30 Minutes Placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac, & lochia are delivered Episiotomy stitched up

Postpartum Time after delivery (usually 6 weeks) Depression/blues may occur at this time Rest is the primary need after childbirth

Delivery Options

Delivery Options Midwife Home birth Water birth Usually unmedicated woman with some training in delivering Home birth Water birth Usually unmedicated

Delivery Options Birthing Room (at hospital or birthing center) Labor, delivery & recovery in same room Homelike environment

Delivery Options Hospital Delivery Labor and delivery in one room Recovery in a separate room

APGAR Activity Pulse Grimace Appearance Respiration Test on infant at 1 minute and 5 minutes after delivery Activity Pulse Grimace Appearance Respiration

Delivery Types

Vaginal Delivery Baby is in the normal head-down position

Breech Types 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 Complete Breech: The buttocks are down, with legs folded at the knees and the feet near the buttocks

Breech Types Footling Breech: One or both of the baby’s feet are pointing down

Cesarean Delivery Abdomen muscles cut, baby is delivered through the stomach

Labor, Childbirth, and Postpartum Vocabulary Terminology Labor, Childbirth, and Postpartum Vocabulary

Stillbirth When a full term baby is dead at birth

Fontanel Soft spots on top of the baby’s head where the skull bones have not yet grown together.

Colostrum Rich, watery fluid that comes from the mother’s breast before milk comes.

Dilate The process of the cervix widening from 0-10 cm to allow for the passage of the baby

Efface The thinning of the cervix to prepare for delivery. You should be 100% effaced before giving birth.

Epidural Block An injection between vertebrae in the lower back to numb the naval and thigh area.

Afterbirth The placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac, and lochia delivered as the third stage of labor.

Postnatal Time from birth to 6 weeks for baby

Circumcision Removal of foreskin at the head of the penis

Episiotomy Cutting of perineum during birth to prevent skin from tearing and to make delivery easier.

Placenta Attached at the end of the umbilical cord to the uterine wall to transport nourishment from mother to baby.

Lochia A heavy vaginal discharge after birth of the baby Average flow is 21 days

Perineum Skin between vaginal opening and the anus which may be cut during delivery

Premature Baby born before full term or weighing under 5 1/2 lbs.

Miscarriage Natural birth of fetus before it is developed, not full term.