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%
