L02 Flashcards
Who are the 5 professionals that support the pregnant mother?
- midwife
- obstetrician
- general practitioner (GP)
- gynaecologist
- paediatrician
What does a midwife do?
They look after the pregnant women and her baby throughout the phase of antenatal care, during labour and birth, and for up to 28 days after the baby has been born.
What does an obstetrician do?
Takes on the antenatal care of mothers for whom there is a complication
What does a general practitioner (GP) do?
They confirm the mothers pregnancy and books the mother into the maternity system so that appointments for scans and check ups are triggered.
What does a gynaecologist do?
Give reproductive and sexual health services that include pelvic exams, Pap tests, cancer screenings, and testing and treatment for vaginal infections. They diagnose and treat reproductive system disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, ovarian cysts, and pelvic pain
What does a paediatrician do?
A doctor specialising in babies and children
What is the role of the father in supporting the mother throughout pregnancy and birth?
- providing practical support with tasks if she is feeling tired
- being emotionally supportive
- massaging her back, shoulders and legs
- supporting her body
- timing contractions
- giving encouragement, drinks, snacks and ice cubes
- sponging her down
- taking/finding ways to pass time
- helping her to find a comfortable position
- making sure health professionals are aware of the birthing plan
- learning relaxation and breathing exercises alongside the mother
What are antenatal classes?
Antenatal and parenting classes help with preparation for a safe pregnancy, labour and parenthood
What are the 8 routine checks carried out at an antenatal clinic, including scans?
- weight checks
- blood tests
- blood pressure
- urine test
- STD/STIs
- examination of the uterus
- baby’s heartbeat
- ultrasound dating scan
What are the 6 specialised diagnostic tests?
- ultrasound anomaly scan/mid pregnancy scan
- nuchal fold translucency (NT) test
- alpha fetoprotein
- chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- amniocentesis
- non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) blood test
What are the 4 choices available for delivery?
- home birth
- hospital birth
- domino scheme
- private hospital/ independent midwife
What is the domino scheme?
Where community midwives provide antenatal care then meet the mother at the hospital for delivery (a mix of home and hospital labour)
What happens during stage one of birth?
- muscles start to contact and release
- bag of amniotic fluid around the baby bursts
- women has a show
- women may feel agitated, vomit, sweat or shiver toward the end of this stage
What happens during stage two of birth?
- cervix becomes fully dilated at 10cm
- ends when baby is born
- mother starts pushing
- umbilical cord is clamped and cut
What happens during stage three of birth?
- placenta is delivered
- a hormone injection (syntocinon) may be given to speed this process up, also helps to prevent blood loss
- any tears or cuts will be sewn
