1. Time to be born!

2. What are the possible signs that labor has begun?
Contractions: tightening and releasing of uterine muscles
Braxton Hicks: false labor
Lightening: baby dropping into the pelvis
mother can breath easier
leg cramps common
urinate more often

3. Define SHOW Vaginal discharge prior to the beginning of birth
Mucus plug is released from the cervix
brownish or blood tinged
1 Tbsp. in size
Labor will usually begin in 3 days

4. Mucus Plug

5. 1st Stage of Labor Water breaks Effacement Cervix dilates (opens)
could lose 1 quart of amniotic fluid (4 cups)
Effacement
cervix prepares for delivery (softens and thins)
Cervix dilates (opens)
9-10 centimeters ( 3 1/3 to 4 inches)
Contractions get longer and stronger and closer together
3-5 minutes long About 5-10 minutes apart
Baby’s head rotates to fit through the mother’s pelvis
Longest stage
Hours or days

7. EPISIOTMY Surgical cut to the perineum
Local anesthetic (numbing agent)
Prevents possible tearing of the tissue
Increases the size of the vaginal outlet (more room for baby)

8. Dilation

9. Stage #1 Diagrams

10. 2nd Stage of labor Cervix completely dilated
Contractions push baby down from the pelvis into the vagina and give birth!
Contractions feel like a severe menstrual cramp
Mother asked to “bear down”
crunch and push
Much shorter stage (30-90 min)

11. Head has arrived

12. Forceps Pressure on baby’s head can be relieved
Birth not progressing on its own
Baby must be in middle or lower part of pelvis
Episiotomy is first performed

13. Forceps being used

14. Vacuum Extractor Soft silicone cup attached to baby’s head
Doctor then guides baby out as mother pushes
Mother does not need to be completely dilated
Less pain medication or chance of episiotomy

15. Vacuum Suction

16. Breech Birth Bottom/feet down in uterus
May try and change baby’s position
2.4% of all births are breech
Require a c-section delivery

17. 3rd Stage Baby has already arrived Expulsion of the placenta
Contractions (less painful)
15-20 minutes after the birth of baby
“Afterbirth”

18. Caesarean Birth Over 23% of births are Caesarean
Delivery of baby through a surgical incision in the abdominal wall
Incision is now made horizontally and is approximately 2-3” wide
Reasons for C-Section
baby too big
Baby is breech
fetal distress
medical illness (mom)
Prolapsed cord, poor presentation, mother too small, placetnta previa, placenta abrubtion, mother/child can’t tolerate labor, , toxemia, previous c-section.

19. Birthing Room Used for labor, delivery, and recovery
Furnished like a bedroom
Now offered by most hospitals
After you give birth, you move to a regular hospital-stay room

20. Natural Childbirth a method of delivery that does NOT use drugs
developed in the 1930’s by Dr. Richard Read. . . he thought the pain was due to fear!
woman is trained to breathe and relax during childbirth
father plays an active role

21. Lamaze Method invented by Dr. Fernand Lamaze
mother is taught to focus on something other than the pain
she uses breathing patterns to keep her mind off pain
father plays the role of coach and goes to classes with her

22. Epidural
drug given through a tiny tube placed in the small of the back
mothers feel touch and pressure but not pain
considered safe these days
Usually in a “drip-like” form so it can be adjusted for pushing

23. FONTANELS “Soft Spots” Open spaces where the skull has not been joined
Allows for skull to be molded during delivery & accommodate growing brain
On top and towards the back of the head

24. BONDING Developing a feeling of affection
Important to both baby and parents
What can parents do in the time after birth to help them bond with their babies?

25. Postpartum Care
Care the mother receives during the hours following the birth of her baby.
Medical staff will monitor;
blood pressure, vital signs, pulse until all body functions have stabilized
Being released from the hospital:
Mother must be up and moving and all vital signs must be normal
Baby must pass all doctor given tests
Apgar, Respiratory, feeding properly and all Reflexes
Baby will not be released until the mother is ready to leave – Almost always released together