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

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

3. 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

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

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

6. 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)

7. 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

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

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

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

11. Delivery Options

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

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

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

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

16. Delivery Types

17. Vaginal Delivery
Baby is in the normal head-down position

18. 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.

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

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

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

22. Labor, Childbirth, and Postpartum Vocabulary
Terminology
Labor, Childbirth, and
Postpartum Vocabulary

23. Stillbirth
When a full term baby is dead at birth

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

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

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

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

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

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

30. Postnatal
Time from birth to 6 weeks for baby

31. Circumcision
Removal of foreskin at the head of the penis

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

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

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

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

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

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