Childbirth Flashcards
what is lightening
baby often rotates and drops into the pelvic girdle before the onset of labor
how long is labour for a primigravida
12-16hours
3 stages of labour and delivery
- Effacement and Dilation of the Cervix
- Delivery of the baby
- Delivery of the placenta
- Effacement and Dilation of the Cervix
- thinning (effacement) and opening of the cervix to 10 cm. (dilation)
- Amniotic sac ruptures (spontaneously or artificially)
- gradual increase in intensity, duration of contractions
- usually the longest phase
- the final phase is the transition
- baby prepares to enter the birth canal
- Delivery of the baby
- usually less than an hour
- contractions are intense
- baby moves through the birth canal
- baby is “crowning” when the top of head is visible
- usually presents head fist
- maybe a “breech” presentation - Vernix
what is vernix
thick white substance that protects the skin
- Delivery of the placenta (afterbirth )
usually within 30 minut
C-section
surgical removal of the baby through an incision in the abdominal wall
why might delivery through the birth canal not be possible
Cephalopelvic disproportion
Placenta previa
- placenta partially or fully covers cervix
Fetal distress
- e.g. prolapsed or cord compression
Placenta abruption
- premature separation of the placenta
the mother or baby’s health is at risk for any other reaso
Drug-free labor and delivery
“natural children”
physical activity, positioning
massage, breathing techniques
Pain management options :
regional anesthetic - epidural
Local anesthesia
General anesthesia
pain medications
- act systemically
why is breast feeding initiated early
Bonding of mother and baby
assists with contraction of uterus
first 2-3 days of breastfeeding
colostrum- rich in antibodies
breast milk on ~ day 3
usual cases of infertility
- irregular, blocked fallopian tubes, hormone imbalance
- low sperm count, low sperm mobility
how many infertility cases have no known cuase
~10%
what can females do to increase fertility
hormone therapy to ovulation
- cycle monitoring
surgical procedure to clear blocked fallopian tubes
what can males do to increase fertility
boxer shorts and cold packs
Alternative insemination
sperm is deposited near the cervical opening or intrauterine
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer
own sperm and eggs, donated sperm or eggs
- bc of medical reasons, single, same sex couple
why use a surrogate
inability to conceive or carry to term
male same-sex couple
cephalic
head towards canal
breech
head away from canal
