1. Keeping healthy before and during pregnancy
1. Avoid alcohol and drugs (including tobacco and caffeine)
2. Maintain nutritious diet
~Need up to 400 extra calories
3. Prenatal vitamins
~Folic acid is important because it reduces chances of birth defects
4. Get moderate to regular exercise
~Improves circulation
~Prevents excessive weight gain
~Prepares mother for labor
5. Have all medical conditions evaluated by a doctor
Prenatal Care: healthcare provided during pregnancy
1st exam- physical exam, blood tests, discuss childbirth options.

2. Stages of Childbirth ~Begins with onset of labor
~Signs of onset are contractions or tightening of uterine muscles
~Contractions are also known as “labor pains”
Bag of Waters breaks

3. Dilation: 1st stage of labor
~Uterus contracts
~Cervix dilates or opens up
~Membranes surrounding
baby open
~”Water breaks”-
amniotic fluid is released
out of vagina
~1st stage ends when the
cervix is dilated 10cm

5. Delivery of Baby: 2nd stage
~Head emerges fully
Crowning
~Shoulders rotate
~Episiotomies may be done

6. Placental: 3rd stage ~Begins after the baby is delivered
~Ends when the uterus expels the placenta and umbilical cord out of the body

7. Types of Childbirth Natural Childbirth (Through the vagina)
Cesarean section (C-section)- baby and placenta are lifted out of the mothers body by surgery
~An incision is made in the mother’s lower abdomen and then into the uterus
~C-section are most common if:
Baby too large
Baby is in wrong position
Multiples
Nontraditional Birth
Birthing Center
Water Birth
Midwife

8. After Birth Procedures
Mucous Membranes are removed via suction
Umbilical Tube is clamped and cut
APGAR Test is preformed
Appearance
Pulse
Grimace (reflex)
Activity
Respiration
Height, Weight Time of Birth are recorded
Antibiotics put into baby’s eyes to prevent blindness due to Gonorrhea
Vitamin K shot for clotting, Hepatitis B to prevent spread of infection due to fluid exchange