Essential Labor and Delivery Support Guide for Partners Flashcards
What are the stages of labor?
Pre-labor, Early labor, Active labor, Transition, Pushing, Delivery of the placenta
What signs indicate early labor?
Irregular contractions, emotional changes, possible mucus plug discharge.
What signs indicate active labor?
Consistent, stronger contractions lasting about 60 seconds, 3-5 minutes apart.
What are the signs of the transition phase?
Very intense and frequent contractions, emotional and physical intensity peaks.
How do you know when it’s time to push?
Involuntary urge to push, feeling like needing to have a bowel movement, visible crowning.
What comfort measures help during early labor?
Gentle massage, warm baths, distraction techniques like watching movies or walking.
What comfort measures help during active labor?
Deep breathing, laboring positions, counterpressure, and hydrotherapy.
What comfort measures help during the transition?
Encouragement, maintaining a calm environment, focus on deep, slow breathin
How to support with pain management without medication?
Use of TENS machine, acupressure, focused breathing techniques, and visualization
Why is hydration important during labor?
Maintains energy levels, helps with endurance, and can influence the progress of labor.
When should you go to the hospital?
Follow the 5-1-1 rule or based on doctor/doula’s advice, especially if water breaks.
How to advocate for your partner in the hospital?
Communicate birth preferences clearly, ask for explanations of interventions, and ensure her needs are prioritized.
What are the benefits of delayed cord clamping?
Increases blood volume and iron levels in newborns, supporting healthier early development.
Why is skin-to-skin contact important immediately after birth?
Promotes bonding, helps regulate baby’s temperature and breathing, encourages breastfeeding.
What are signs of postpartum complications to watch for?
Excessive bleeding, fever, severe headaches, vision changes, and extreme mood swings.
What to expect during placenta delivery?
Mild contractions, delivery within 5-30 minutes post-birth, may require gentle pushing.
What are the immediate care needs of a newborn?
Warmth, initial breastfeeding or feeding, vitamin K shot, and newborn screening tests.
How to recognize labor progression?
Frequency and intensity of contractions increase, changes in emotional state, dilation progress.
What are effective pushing techniques?
Deep breath, chin to chest, push during contractions, rest between.
What are signs of labor onset?
Regular contractions:
- water breaking
- loss of mucus plug
How to distinguish true from false labor?
True labor: contractions increase in intensity and frequency
False labor: contractions irregular and don’t intensify.
What indicates labor is 24-48 hours away?
- Nesting urge
- Lower back pain
- Diarrhea
When to go to the hospital?
- Contractions 5 minutes apart
- water breaks
- concerning symptoms (bleeding, severe pain)
What are the benefits of skin to skin contact?
- regulates baby’s temperature
- encourages breastfeeding
- promotes bonding
Importance of staying hydrated during labor?
- supports energy levels
- can ease labor progression
how to manage early labor at home?
- relaxation techniques
- light, distracting activities
- warm baths
role of breathing exercises?
- reduces stress
- manages pain
- facilitates focus and relaxation
signs your water has broken
- sudden gush or trickle of fluid
- continuous leakage
what to do if my contractions start?
- time their frequency and duration
- use pain management techniques
- contact healthcare provider (Oula)
best ways to encourage optimal fetal positioning?
- spend time on hands and knees
- avoid reclining back
- use an exercise ball
What are common discomforts in the final weeks?
- Braxton Hicks contractions
- pelvic pressure
- increased fatigue
what indicates the transition phase of labor?
- Intense contractions close together
- Desire to push
