Ob/Gyn – Obstetrician (pregnancy doctor) and Gynecology (female doctor) Ob/Gyn – Obstetrician (pregnancy doctor) and Gynecology (female doctor) Episiotomy – a small cut in the vagina in order for the baby’s head to fit through. Episiotomy – a small cut in the vagina in order for the baby’s head to fit through. Forceps – metal tongs used to pull the baby through the birth canal. Forceps – metal tongs used to pull the baby through the birth canal. Epidural– An anesthetic injected into the spine to ease the pain of birth Epidural– An anesthetic injected into the spine to ease the pain of birth Apgar – a test given directly after birth to assess the status of a baby. A score is given is considered desirable. Apgar – a test given directly after birth to assess the status of a baby. A score is given is considered desirable.

For 9 months, the unborn child has been developing in the womb. Now the baby is ready to make an exit. Prelabor is a period of irregular uterine contractions in which the cervix thins, softens, and may begin to dilate.Labor is commonly divided into three stages wherein the baby is expelled from the uterus through the birth canal and into the world. It begins with irregular contractions of the uterus that occur every 20 to 30 minutes. As labor progresses, the contractions increase in frequency and severity. For women giving birth for the first time, labor will usually last between 12 to 24 hours. However, for women who have given birth before, labor usually averages only 6 hours. For 9 months, the unborn child has been developing in the womb. Now the baby is ready to make an exit. Prelabor is a period of irregular uterine contractions in which the cervix thins, softens, and may begin to dilate. Labor is commonly divided into three stages wherein the baby is expelled from the uterus through the birth canal and into the world. It begins with irregular contractions of the uterus that occur every 20 to 30 minutes. As labor progresses, the contractions increase in frequency and severity. For women giving birth for the first time, labor will usually last between 12 to 24 hours. However, for women who have given birth before, labor usually averages only 6 hours.

During the first stage, uterine contractions begin and are usually spaced from 10 to 20 minutes apart. Initially the contractions are gentle, but they tend to become more powerful and uncomfortable. The cervix dilates with each contraction and the baby’s head rotates to fit through the mother’s pelvis. This stage lasts anywhere from 6-24 hours. You may want to get up and move around to ease the pain. An epidural can be given. The cervix must dilate to some degree before any anesthesia is given. For this reason, a mother needs to learn some breathing and relaxation techniques. You can not move onto the next stage until you have dilated 4 inches (10 cm.) Microsoft ® Encarta ® Encyclopedia ©

The second stage of labor usually lasts about 90 minutes. During this stage, the cervix opens sufficiently and the baby begins to move down the birth canal. The mother pushes, or bears down, in response to pressure against her pelvic muscles. The crown of the baby’s head becomes visible in the widened birth canal. An episiotomy may be performed and/or forceps may be used to help the baby through.

As the head emerges entirely (left) the physician turns the baby’s shoulders (right), which emerge one at a time with the next contractions. The rest of the body then slides out relatively easily, and the umbilical cord is sealed and cut.

Following the exit of the infant, the third stage of labor occurs. The uterus continues to contract, expelling the severed umbilical cord and placenta, called the afterbirth. The third stage occurs within ten minutes of the baby’s birth, and will last no more than 30 minutes.

Prolapsed cord (umbilical cord falls into the birth canal before the baby) Prolapsed cord (umbilical cord falls into the birth canal before the baby) Poor presentation (breech) Poor presentation (breech) Mother too small Mother too small Baby too big Baby too big Placenta previa (placenta covers the cervix) Placenta previa (placenta covers the cervix) Placenta abruption (placenta peels from the uterine wall before labor) Placenta abruption (placenta peels from the uterine wall before labor) Fetal distress Fetal distress Mother or child cannot tolerate labor Mother or child cannot tolerate labor STDs STDs Previous C-section Previous C-section Toxemia (toxins in the blood) Toxemia (toxins in the blood)

Prolapsed cord

BREECH

Placenta previa

Placenta Abruption

Toxemia/preeclampsia There is no known cause for this There is no known cause for this No test can diagnose it No test can diagnose it It can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood It can prevent the placenta from getting enough blood Higher risk if you are teen, over 40 or someone else in your family had it. Higher risk if you are teen, over 40 or someone else in your family had it. Symptoms: high blood pressure, swelling and high protein in urine. Symptoms: high blood pressure, swelling and high protein in urine.