Labour and birth

Question 1

What are the 3 signs of labour?

Answer 1

Water breaks
Contractions
The woman has a ‘show’

Question 2

Stage 1 is labour. What usually happens during this stage?

Answer 2

Pain relief needed
Cervix dilates
Strong contractions
Baby's head drops into the pelvis
Feel agitated, sick, shaky or sweaty
Lose control of bladder or bowel

Question 3

How does stage 1 end?

Answer 3

The transition begins from stage 1 to stage 2
Contractions intense and close together
Mother fully dilated

Question 4

How does stage 2 start?

Answer 4

Cervix and vagina form the birth canal

Question 5

Stage 2 is the birth of the baby. What usually happens during this stage?

Answer 5

Head of the baby moves into the birth canal
The woman will push with each contraction
The head begins to show and the women can stop pushing
The baby needs to be born slowly to prevent tearing
Doctor will make a cut to prevent the tearing (episiotomy)
Baby’s shoulders delivered one at a time, and body slides out
Baby gets cleaned up

Question 6

How does stage 2 end?

Answer 6

The baby is out
Umbilical cord cut
If the baby doesn’t cry, the doctor will turn them over and pat them on the back to clear the lungs of mucus so they can breathe.
Baby placed on mother for bonding

Question 7

How does stage 3 start?

Answer 7

Contractions begin again

Question 8

Stage 3 is the delivery of the placenta. What usually happens during this stage?

Answer 8

Placenta comes out
Hormone injection might be given to speed up the process.
Any cuts or tears sown up

Question 9

How does stage 3 end?

Answer 9

Everything is over

Question 10

What can go wrong that may require the delivery to need assistance?

Answer 10

Baby’s heart beat out of rhythm or drops
The baby is in a bad position
The mother is too exhausted