BABY’S ARRIVAL

PLANNING FOR CHANGES AHEAD Having a baby requires planning. Every couple needs to decide what responsibilities they will have when the baby arrives. Moms that work will be taking maternity leave. Deciding what to do about child care, whether one parent will stay home or need outside help.

PREPARING TO BE A GOOD PARENT COUPLES SHOULD DISCUSS THEIR IDEAS ABOUT PARENTING METHODS. AT LEAST HAVE A GENERAL IDEA OF YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF CHILD REARING THIS WILL HELP AVOID CONFLICT LATER ON. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE OTHER CHILDREN THEY SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR THE NEW ARRIVAL. MAKE THEM FEEL IMPORTANT, LET THEM HELP GETTING THE BABY’S STUFF TOGETHER OR SET UP THE BABY’S ROOM.

DECISIONS ABOUT FEEDING THE BABY A DECISION NEEDS TO BE MADE WHETHER TO BREAST- FEED OR BOTTLE-FEED THE BABY. PEDIATRICIANS RECOMMEND BREAST-FEEDING FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST FEW WEEKS TO GIVE THE BABY THE IMMUNITIES TO FIGHT AGAINST SOME DISEASES. IT IS ALSO A GREAT BONDING EXPERIENCE FOR THE MOM AND BABY.

FEEDING BABY BOTTLE-FEEDING HAS SOME ADVANTAGES BECAUSE THE DAD IS ABLE TO HELP FEED AND BOND WITH THE BABY ALSO. IT IS ALSO MORE CONVENIENT IF THE MOM IS GOING BACK TO WORK.

CLOTHING & BABY EQUIPMENT SOME OF THE BASIC SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR A NEWBORN ARE CLOTHING, BEDDING, DIAPERS, FEEDING EQUIPMENT, CAR SEAT, AND BATHING SUPPLIES.

OTHER DECISIONS TO BE MADE Who will be the health care provider or pediatrician after the child is born? Where will the child be born and what type of delivery method will you choose? Names for the baby Support people for after the baby is born.

CHOOSING A BIRTHPLACE Hospitals – most common Birthing room in a hospital – this is a homelike room for low risk babies. It is furnished like a bedroom to feel more peaceful. Birth Center – usually located near a hospital, for low risk births, usually employ a certified nurse-midwife trained in deliveries, go home hours after birth Home – have the baby at home but can be risky if problems arise. Usually a mid-wife is present to help with delivery.

CHOOSING A METHOD OF DELIVER Natural childbirth – this is where the mother learns breathing techniques and relaxation methods to help reduce fear and pain during the birthing process. Women that choose this method do not take any pain relieving medication

DELIVERY METHODS The other common method for delivery is the use of an epidural. This is a drug given through a tiny tube placed in the small of the back and it blocks the pain from the waist down. The mom can still push but feels no pain and the baby is not affected by this type of drug.

DELIVERY METHODS CESAREAN BIRTH- is chosen when complications arise in a normal delivery or when the doctor has predetermined it is the best outcome for both baby and mother. This is where the baby is delivered through a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen.

THE BIRTH PROCESS 1) Birthing usually occurs about 266 days after conception. 2) Last few weeks of pregnancy mother may feel what is called “lightening”. This is where the baby is moving into birthing position, usually head down towards the birth canal.

THE BIRTH PROCESS 3) If the baby does do into a head first position it is called “breech birth position”. In this position the baby’s feet, legs and buttocks emerge first. 4) Because the mother’s body is preparing for birth she may experience a few mild contractions or tightening of the stomach muscles. This is false labor because the contractions are not regular.

SIGNS OF LABOR 1) Regular contractions that occur over a period of time where they get stronger and closer together. 2) Burst of energy due to increased adrenaline. 3) Loosening of the mucus plug or a small amount of blood called the show which usually means labor will begin in the next few days. 4) Amniotic sac breaks and fluid is leaked.

3 STAGES OF LABOR LABOR CAN BE DIVIDED INTO 3 STAGES 1) DILATION STAGE – THIS IS WHERE THE CERVIX STARTS OPENING, PREPARING THE BODY FOR DELIVERY OF THE BABY. THIS IS THE LONGEST STAGE AND CAN LAST SEVERAL HOURS. THIS STAGE WILL END WHEN THE CERVIX IS COMPLETELY OPEN WHICH IS USUALLY AROUND 10 CM.

3 STAGES OF LABOR 2) DELIVERY OF THE BABY – THIS IS WHERE THE BABY IS ACTUALLY BORN. THIS IS WHERE THE MOTHER WILL START PUSHING THE BABY DOWN THE BIRTH CANAL. TWO TECHNIQUES ARE USED TO HELP WITH DELIVERY: A) EPISIOTOMY – THIS IS A SMALL INCISION TO HELP WIDEN THE BIRTH CANAL AND PREVENT TEARING. IT WILL BE STITCHED UP BY THE DOCTOR AFTER THE BIRTH IS COMPLETE.

3 STAGES OF LABOR B) ANOTHER PRACTICE IS TO LUBRICATE THE BIRTH CANAL TO ALLOW THE BABY TO EASE OUT. THIS STAGE CAN LAST FROM 1-3 HOURS DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE BABY AND HOW QUICKLY IT MOVES THROUGH THE BIRTH CANAL.

3 STAGES OF LABOR 3) DELIVERY OF THE PLACENTA – THIS IS AFTER THE BABY IS BORN, THE MOTHER WILL THEN DELIVER OR PUSH OUT THE PLACENTA. THIS IS CALLED THE AFTERBIRTH AND AFTER A FEW IRREGULAR CONTRACTIONS IT WILL USUALLY BE EXPELLED WITHIN 5-30 MINUTES AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE BABY.

COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDBIRTH Premature delivery – baby may not be able to survive Prolonged delivery – puts both mother and baby at risk Abnormal position of the baby – baby may be injured or uterus rupture. If position cannot be corrected then baby is surgically removed.

COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDBIRTH Cephalopelvic disproportion – is where the baby’s head is too large to fit through the mothers birth canal and the baby must be surgically removed. Umbilical cord problems – cord may collapse, get wrapped around baby’s neck, either will cause the baby to loose oxygen and puts the baby at risk. May cause for surgical removal of baby.

COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDBIRTH Asphyxia – this occurs when the oxygen supply to the baby is cut off for any number of reasons and the baby has to be surgically removed. This can cause brain damage or death.

COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDBIRTH Meconium aspiration – this is where the baby passes a stool before birth and it is swallowed or aspirated by the baby. May cause breathing problems. Postpartum bleeding – unusual bleeding after the baby may require surgery to close blood vessels.

HOSPITAL STAY For those parents that choose to have their baby in a hospital they will usually stay 24-60 hours depending on the birth and health of both mother and baby. Many hospitals offer a rooming-in arrangement where the baby is in the mother’s room instead of going to a nursery. This allows for the bonding of the parents to begin. This helps parents develop a feeling of affection for their baby and is considered extremely important.

CONCLUSION CHILDBIRTH IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE BUT ONE THAT SHOULD BE MANAGED WITH CARE AND CONSIDERATION. TOUR THE BIRTHING FACILITY YOU CHOOSE AND HAVE YOUR DOCTOR EXPLAIN WHAT WILL HAPPEN SO THAT YOU ARE PREPARED FOR YOUR BIG DAY.