Unit 3: labor and delivery

Nesting

A flurry of energy to clean and organize; psychologically preparing for birth

Lightening

When the baby drops or moves lower in the pelvis

Labor

Series of three stages that result in the birth of the baby

Braxton Hicks contractions

False labor; occasional discomfort in lower abdomen: a sensation that your uterus is tightening and relaxing; irregular and come and go during the 2-3 trimester

Contractions

Intense tightening and releasing of the uterus that help your baby push through the cervix; can feel like heavy cramping/pressure from back to front, frequent; worse over time

Bloody show

The passage of a small amount of blood (pink brown red) as the body prepares to go into labor. Might happen 1-2 days before labor or at start of labor

Mucous plug

Thick jelly like glob (clear white pink) that seals the cervical canal during pregnancy; acts as protective barrier by deterring the passage of bacteria into uterus

Rupture of the membranes

When amniotic sac ruptures (clear odorless gush of fluid) at the beginning of or during labor (water breaks)

Effacement

When the cervix softens, shortens, and thins

Dilation

When the cervix begins to open(dilate). Health care provider will measure the dilation in cm from 0-10

Childbirth

Process by which baby leaves the uterus

Vaginal birth

A natural birthing process that does not require significant medical intervention

Cesarean section

Delivery of a baby through surgical incision in the mom’s abdomen and uterus. While most are unplanned some are scheduled

stage 1: labor

longest stage: 12-20hrs

Stage 1 early labor

• 6-12hrs

• Effacement

• Dilation occurs

• Presentation of baby

• Loss of mucous plug

• Rupture of membranes

Stage 1 active labor

• 4-8hrs

• Stronger contractions and closer together

• Transition phase

• Urge to push

• Stage ends when fully dilated

Transition phase

Shortest phase: 15m-1hr

Stage 2: pushing and delivery of baby

20m-2hrs

Stage 2 events

• cervix fully dilated

• Crowning: baby’s head begins to show

• Pushing as provider guides baby out

• Baby Born

• Umbilical cord cut

Stage 3: delivery of the placenta

20-30min

Stage 3 events

• contractions separate placenta from uterus

• 5-10 minutes after delivery

• Takes 20-30 mins to deliver placenta

• Episiotomy repaired

Steps

1. Bloody show

2. Contractions begin

3. Contractions come closer together

4. Transition phase

5. Cervix fully dilated

6. Baby’s head emerges

7. Baby delivered

8. Umbilical cord clamped

9. Placenta

What does APGAR measure

Measures the baby’s health

APGAR stands for

1. appearance

2. Pulse

3. Grimace

4. Activity

5. Respiration

When is APGAR preformed

1-5 minutes after birth

Good APGAR score

7-10

Benefits of skin to skin contact

• emotional bond

• Baby’s temperature

• Encourages breastfeeding

• Calms baby

• Regulates sleep cycle

• Helps heartbeat and breathing patterns

Breastfeeding benefits for infant

• nutrition

• Antibodies for immune system

• Decreases risk of SIDS

• Reduces risk of certain allergies

• Easy to digest

• Releases oxytocin

Breastfeeding benefits for mom

• encourages bonding

• Decreases risk of breast and ovarian cancer

• Burns 500 calories a day

• Free

• Oxytocin

Vitamin to prevent blood clotting

Vitamin K shot

Antibiotic eye drops help

Prevent infections

First vaccination

Hepatitis B

3 screenings

Blood, hearing, heart

What causes bleeding to brain and death

Shaking the baby

3 things that should always be fastened

Carrier, stroller, car seat

What promotes deep emotional connection

Bonding during 1st weeks/days after birth

SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome - unexplained death of baby that happens during sleep

Safest way to put baby back to sleep

On their backs

Connection between breastfeeding and SIDS

Breastfeed for 6months decrease SIDS

Colic

When a baby cries for a long period of time with no reason

Infant jaundice

Yellow coloring of baby’s skin and eyes

Organ that is not mature enough to get rid of bilirubin in bloodstream

Liver

Jaundice can be prevented

Adequate feeding (8-12 feedings a day)

If water breaks what does doctor do to get her into labor

Induces labor

What is woman risk for when water breaks

Risk of infection increases

Why is transition page the most difficult

Contractions are very powerful with little time to relax and cervix stretches

Doctor makes small cut to vaginal opening

Episiotomy

How many women have c section

1 in 3 women