Childbirth

What is gestation?

40 week cycle from conception to birth

What are braxton-Hicks contractions

first contractions of childbirth

What is the cervix?

narrow lower end of the uterus, through which a baby passes to reach the vagina

What is the range of the size of the cervix?

1cm to 10cm

What is the ideal size of your cervix when you get to the hospital to give birth?

7cm

What are prostaglandins?

hormones that stimulate uterine contractions

What are the three stages of gestation?

effacement and dilation, crowning and delivery, placental stage

What is the effacement and dilation stage?

can come weeks before birth, dilation is from 1cm to 10cm, is the cause of contractions

What are the three phases of the first stage?

early phase, active phase, and transition phase

What happens during the early phase of the first stage?

cervix dilates from 1cm to 3cm and mild contractions

What happens in the active phase of the first stage?

cervix expands from 4cm to 7cm, more intense and regular contractions

What happens during the transition phase of the first stage?

dilate to 10cm and ends the process

What happens during the second stage (crowning and delivery)?

multiple children typically means c-section, episiotomy (make an incision to make more space for the babies head if doctor predicts there will be tearing)

What happens during the third stage (placental)?

lasts from minutes to an hour+, placenta separates from the uterine wall and comes out of the birth canal, episiotomy is sewn if one was performed, if there is too much blood a blood transfusion can be necessary

What is midwife delivery?

baby is delivered in the women’s home, limited access to sophisticated medical instruments and anesthetics, if you need surgery they cannot do it

What are anesthetics?

agents that lessen pain

What are the two types of anesthetics?

general anesthesia and local anesthetic

What is general anesthesia?

deadens pain by putting mothing to sleep

What is local anesthetic?

reduction of pain in an area of the body (pudendal block. epidural, and spinal block)

What is natural childbirth?

childbirth without anesthesia

What is hypnosis used as in childbirth?

an alternative to anesthesia

What is biofeedback in childbirth?

provides continuous bodily information to the mother during childbirth

What is the Lamaze method?

educated to childbirth, breath in patterns that lessen pain during birth, have a coach present

What is a cesarean section?

delivery of a baby by abdominal surgery

When do doctors usually perform a C-section?

with multiples, breech babies, high risk pregnancies, in an emergency, and you can opt to have one

What is anoxia?

absence of oxygen

What is hypoxia?

less oxygen than required

What is the issue with prenatal oxygen deprivation?

impairs development of fetus’ central nervous system

What is considered a preterm birth?

born before 37 weeks

Why are preterm babies so thin?

layer of fat not formed yet

What is Lanugo?

fine downy hair on babies

What is Vernix?

oily white substance on the skin of babies

What is respiratory distress syndrome?

weak an irregular breathing

What are incubators?

heated, protective container for premature infants, provide protection from disease, may be given oxygen

Preterm infants profit from what early?

stimulation

What are positive effects of early stimulation?

faster weight gain, fewer respiratory problems, greater advances in motor, intellectual

What does skin to skin help with?

develop a bond from smell and closeness

What is the postpartum period?

immediately follows childbirth

What is major depression with perinatal onset?

maternal depression following delivery

What is perinatal depression caused by?

a sudden drop is estrogen

What are treatments for perinatal depression?

counseling, drugs, and social support

What is postpartum psychosis?

delusional thoughts about child

What is bonding?

formation of parent-infant attachment that is essential to the survival and well-being of children

What can delay the level of bonding?

maternal depression