Childbirth and Infancy

Multiple different options for childbirth;

Before the 20th century — female dominated thing (no dads, only drs, ladies, and midwives)

Mortality rate at this point was really high

1 out of 4 babies would die before their first birthday

Modern Childbirth:

Mostly done in hospitals, used to be super sterile, now done in mostly L&D or birthing suites.

Low stress environment

When mom is super stressed, slows down delivery, hard on mom and baby.

Big change in who’s allowed to be there, anyone that mom wants.

Home births are becoming more popular

Reasons to not do a home birth:

If it’s your first, probably no on a home birth due to new complications.

Health of the baby and mom can also impact home birth

How close you are to ER with a nicu

Birth Process

Starts 2 weeks before delivery

Uterine wall starts to contract, braxton-hicks (false labor/contractions) — occur on the side, whereas real ones happen up top to push out the baby

Cervix becomes flexible

Estrogen Levels rise

3 stages:

1st — Longest stage, cervix dialates, cervix goes from 0-10 cm. Takes 10-14 hours. Track how far apart contractions are. Tell women to take a shower and stay home as long as possible, keep them relaxed.

Stage 2: 1-2, stronger contractions, baby moves through the birth canal, ends when the baby is born.

Stage 3: 10-60 minutes, placenta and umbilical cord is expelled.

Types of childbirth

midwives= Medical training

Doulas = Emotional support

Natural - no meds

Medicated - oral analgesic (can cross the placental barrier, stoned babies), laughing gas (in europe), Epidural (tube put in your lower back, can be made higher and lower; ready to go for c section— not a perfect science, some women go numb in weird places, increases risk of bad headache due to air bubble, pretty minor), Spinal block — (time limit, airbubble risk)

C-section - Abdominal surgery, considered major surgery, trying to lower the amount of c section birth, increases infection rates + recovery time. Little impact in attachment.

Reasons for c-section

Multiples, (umbilical cord wrapped around necks)

Breach (feet or one foot first)

Baby is too big for mom’s pelvis

Problems with the placenta, too close to cervix, rupture=bleeding out

Low Baby heart rate.

Birth complications

Oxygen deprivation - anoxia or hypoxia (some vs none)

Preterm — low birth weight, development.

Low birth weight (under 5lbs, 3.5 or less SUPER low)