1. Labour and delivery
Child Studies Sept 2013

2. What if I am still pregnant after my due date?
A normal pregnancy lasts weeks. The doctor will monitor the woman closely after this date and may decide to help to get the labour started which is called “induction”. Labour is induced with medication to help the cervix open or to get the uterus to start contractions.

3. Prepared Childbirth
method of giving birth in which pain is reduced through the elimination of fear and the use of conditioning exercises.
A woman knows instinctively how to give birth
there are many helpful classes in preparing for this exciting day.
parents will learn what happens in labor and how to deal with the process.

4. Labour
the process by which the baby gradually moves out of the uterus and into the vagina to be born.

5. Midwives
Health professionals who provide primary care to women and their babies during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period. In some cases, they replace the role of the doctor or assist the doctor in the hospital, home, or birthing centers. None are practicing in NB.

6. Doula
An individual who assists women in labor; a labor coach before, during and after childbirth. A doula helps a woman feel confident and safe.

7. What is fetal monitoring?
Fetoscope: Is like a stethoscope and it is used to listen to the baby’s heartbeat.
Dobbler Ultrasound: It’s a small ultrasound machine that the doctor puts on the pregnant woman’s belly to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
Electronic Fetal Monitors: They track the baby’s heart rate and the woman’s contractions. They are two belts wrapped around the belly.

8. What about pain relief during labour?
Pain Killers: They are injected with a needle and they have different effects on women. The doctor will decide if this is a good solution depending of what stage of labour you are in since it can affect the baby’s breathing after birth.
Entonox/Nitronox(Laughing gas): It is a mask to breathe slowly in to help relax during the strong contractions. It is not harmful to the mother or baby.

9. What about pain relief during labour?
Epidural: It is medicine injected in the lower back. This drug takes away the feeling from waist to the tip of your toes. The woman is still awake. It may be used if labour is not progressing quick enough, if the woman is really tired or if the woman needs the cesarian (c-section) or the doctor needs to use forceps.

10. What is an episiotomy?
An episiotomy is a cut made between the vagina and the rectum. It is done to make more room for the baby to be born. It is usually done right before the birth. The woman may receive local anesthesia to help with the pain. After the baby is born and placenta is out, the doctor sews the cut with stitches that dissolve as the cut heals.

11. Forceps
Forceps look like two spoons joined together. They are placed on either side of your baby’s head to gently help the baby out.

12. What is vacuum extraction?
In vacuum extraction, a soft plastic cap is placed on the baby’s head. This is used to help the baby come out.

13. What is a cesarean birth?
It is when the baby can’t be born vaginally.
The doctor makes an incision low and across the abdomen.