Preparing For Birth

What things should parents have ready before a baby is born? What things should parents discuss before a baby is born? What concerns might parents have at this point?

Childbirth Classes What are they all about? 1. They provide accurate information about normal labour and delivery. They present the various types of complications that can occur as well and explain the methods use to correct them. They explain things like the various methods of pain relief.

2. To teach specially designed relaxation, distraction, muscle control and breathing techniques that can help with childbirth. 3. To develop a productive working relationship between the mother and her coach. This benefits both as the coach is better able to relax the mother and the coach becomes an important part of the process. 4. To ease the mothers mind by making her feel prepared !!!!!! Remove some of the mystery

Benefits of childbirth Classes Allow interaction with other couples going through the process. Give an opportunity to ask questions in a comfortable environment. Build confidence. A chance to go through the process of childbirth. (breathing, different stages etc.) Shorter and less stressful labour: Studies show that people who take childbirth classes have somewhat shorter labours.

Childbirth Class Childbirth Class 2

Hospital Visit Many couples choose to visit the hospital where they will be giving birth. There a few common reasons why they choose to do so. To familiarize themselves with the space and the processes at that particular hospital. To further relive any anxiety they might have about giving birth. To see new born babies To ease fears associated with hospitals. Parking, food, procedures, birth plan where is the Tim Hortons?

Stages of Childbirth

First Stage: Labour Early Labour - Women experience nausea, leg cramps, shakiness or hiccups. - Contraction- tightening and relaxing of the muscles of uterus. - Contractions help dilate (widen) the cervix Contractions are mild and occur every 20- 30 minutes and last 30-40 seconds. - Early labour typically lasts about 14 hours

The placenta is an organ that helps the baby digest and process food in the womb.

After several hours of early labour an expectant parents should contact their doctor. They are usually advised to go to the hospital when contractions are one minute apart and occur every five minutes. Many women feel an extra burst of energy at this point and need to be sure not use up too much energy.

Most often a women's water will break during some point during this stage. This signals the rupturing of the amniotic sac and means the baby is no longer protected from infection in the womb. If the expectant mother is not already at the hospital she should go there at this point.

Arriving at the hospital The following things are done when the expectant mother arrives at the hospital. - pelvic exam to check how far dilated she is. - the mothers heartbeat and blood pressure are checked. - A fetal monitor is attached to check the babies heartbeat during labour. - Occasionally a sugar water solution is given through the veins (intravenous)

Active Labour Contractions are 3 to 4 minutes apart and last 30-40 seconds. The cervix is dilated up to 7cm at this point. Several different techniques can help with labour at this point including walking or various breathing techniques.

Transition This stage moves the birth from labour to pushing and delivery. Typically it lasts about 90 minutes. Contractions are very strong at this point and last from 60 to 90 seconds and come every two to three minutes. The cervix dilates fully to 10 cm

At this point it is advised that the expectant mother does not begin to push as this can cause tearing. It is usually the most difficult part of labour and women often make use of breathing techniques learned in birthing classes to slow down labour. Whatever comments a women makes towards anyone around her at this point should be forgotten after the birth.

Delivery At this point the mother is advised that she can push down with her abdominal muscles. Contractions are constant, coming every minute or two and lasting about that long. While pushing she takes a deep breath pushes for ten seconds and then repeats. The baby will travel down the birth canal at this point (pg 216 in the text)

The babies skull is made of flexibly joined plates of bone to allow it to temporarily compress as it goes down the birth canal. The babies head emerges (crowing) and even everything is well the doctor gently guides the babies out. After a few more contractions the baby is out. A nurse or the father clamps and cuts the umbilical cord and the baby is usually handed to the mother after being cleaned up a little bit. The final stage of childbirth occurs when the placenta is delivered.