birth process

First stage of birth

-longest stage about 12-14 hours for the first delivery

-contraction cause cervix to open

• end of first stage, cervix opens to about 4 inches

Second stage of birth 

-Begins as baby’s head move through cervix

• last about 45 mins

Third stage of birth 

-after birth: placenta and umbilical cord detach and expel 

-last for only mins 

Failure to progress and breech presentation 

-failure to progress means birth takes longer than normal 

-forceps may be used 

-about 4% if baby’s present in breech position 

• cause umbilical cord to be constricted

• results in cesarean delivery

Cesarean delivery

• Retrieving baby directly from the uterus
• High rates of C-section may be due to extreme caution
• Vaginal birth after C-section is possible

West culture medical interventions 

epidurals to manage pain 

electronic fetal monitoring to tract fetal heartbeat 

who helps: traditional cultures 

Traditional Cultures
• Historically, older women are main assistants (midwives)
• Births tend to occur at home among lower SES groups
• Today, some births take place in medical settings with
trained personnel

Who helps: developed countries

Developed Countries
• Midwifery revival; now about 10 percent in U.S.
• More common in Europe than in U.S.

Practices Aimed at Diminishing Danger and Pain: Traditional cultures 

Traditional Cultures
• Some celebrate birth, some have fear or wariness
• Purifying traditions for mothers after birth
• Placenta has meanings
• Some cultures bury in sacred place
• Some cultures believe it has value for hormones and nutrients

Practices Aimed at Diminishing Danger and Pain: developed countries

• Ease birth process by:
• Change birth position frequently
• Listen to music
• Breathe in a steady rhythm, fast or slow
• Take a shower or bath
• Have a massage between contractions
• Emotional and social support important
• Mothers’ health: Heard of placenta smoothies?

Cultural Variations in Neonatal and Maternal Mortality

• Neonatal and maternal deaths are much higher in developing countries than in developed ones.

• Maternal deaths in developing countries have dropped a lot over the past 30 years.

• The newborn period is the riskiest time for a child’s survival.

• The U.S. has higher newborn death rates than many other rich countries, and rates are about twice as high for African Americans as for Whites.