1. LABOR & DELIVERY
RATED M FOR MATURE AUDIENCES!
EQ: How is a natural birth different than a c-section?

2. METHODS OF DELIVERY NATURAL DELIVERY
Delivery without the use of drugs.
The woman is trained to breathe and relax in a way that helps the birth process.
The father usually plays an active role.

3. METHODS OF DELIVERY LAMAZE METHOD
Named for the French doctor who made the approach popular.
The woman’s coach—the father or another person—learns the breathing patterns and helps her through labor.
She receives medication when necessary.
Training is given in small classes 8 to 12 weeks before delivery.
Breathing through labor

4. CASAREAN BIRTHS About 22 percent of children are born by C-section.
The mother’s abdomen and uterus are surgically opened and the baby is removed. The incisions are then closed as with any other surgery.
One cesarean birth does not mean that all later births must be C-sections, too.
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5. CONTRACTIONS “the process of becoming smaller.”
In early labor, contractions may last about 30 seconds.
Gradually their length increases to 1 minute.
The strength of the contractions increases until the baby is born.
The intervals of relaxation between contractions begin at 15 to 20 minutes and decrease to about 2 minutes.

6. LIGHTENING Lightening is a change in the baby’s position.
The uterus settles downward and forward, and the baby descends lower into the pelvis.
In most cases the baby’s body rotates so the head is toward the birth canal.
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7. BREECH BIRTH
In about 2 percent of cases, the baby takes a buttocks-first position.

8. FALSE LABOR
Sometimes during lightening, the mother may have a few irregular contractions.
The contractions are real, but true labor has not begun.
Parents should carefully time the intervals between contractions to tell whether she is really in labor.

9. OTHER SIGNS OF LABOR
The mother may feel a burst of energy due to increased adrenaline.
Save that energy for labor!
The mucous plug in the cervix will become loose.
The small amount of blood in the mucous is called the show – it means labor should start within 24 hours.
Part of the amniotic sac may break before labor begins (water breaks).
Often the water breaks after labor begins.

10. STAGES OF LABOR STAGE ONE—DILATION OF THE CERVIX
Contractions come every 15 or 20 minutes.
The uterus narrows, which straightens the baby’s body and presses his head against the cervix.
The cervix flattens and opens (dilates).
Full dilation of the cervix will measure about 4 inches.
The average length of stage one is eight hours for a first pregnancy (less for later pregnancies).

12. STAGES OF LABOR STAGE TWO—DELIVERY OF THE BABY
The baby’s head enters the birth canal.
The mother’s muscles push to move the baby down.
Often an incision, called an episiotomy, is made to widen the birth canal and prevent tearing. After delivery, the doctor closes the incision with sutures.

13. STAGES OF LABOR STAGE TWO—DELIVERY OF THE BABY (continued)
The baby faces downward as the head emerges.
Then the head rotates to the side.
The shoulders, abdomen, and legs follow.
The remaining fluid from the amniotic sac is expelled.
The second stage usually lasts from 30 to 90 minutes for a first pregnancy.
The doctor cuts the umbilical cord before the third stage begins.

14. STAGES OF LABOR STAGE THREE—DELIVERY OF THE PLACENTA
About 20 minutes after birth, the mother has a few irregular contractions.
These cause the placenta to completely detach from the uterus and descend.
The placenta and fetal membrane that are expelled are called the afterbirth.

15. PLACENTA

16. COMPLICATIONS Premature delivery.
Baby may not be mature enough to survive.
Baby may not be in the correct position for delivery.
Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) – water breaks.
Infection is a danger.
Prolonged delivery.
Both mother and baby are at risk for complications.
Abnormal position for delivery.
Position will be corrected or baby will be removed by c-section.

17. COMPLICATIONS Cephalopelvic disproportion. Umbilical cord problems.
Baby’s head is too large to pass through mother’s pelvic bones.
Baby is often surgically removed.
Umbilical cord problems.
If the cord cannot be returned to the proper position, the baby is removed surgically.

18. COMPLICATIONS Asphyxia. Postpartum bleeding.
Problems cause oxygen to be cut off to the baby, which can cause brain damage or death.
Postpartum bleeding.
Massage and hormones are given to help the uterus return to its original size.
In rare cases, surgery may be needed to close the blood vessels and stop bleeding.

19. COMPLICATIONS
Delivery-aid techniques may be needed to protect the health of mother and baby.
The most common techniques include:
Version, or manually rotating the unborn baby into the correct position.
Oxytocin, a drug which can speed up labor by causing contractions to start or become stronger.
Forceps, a curved instrument that fits around the sides of a baby’s head, which the doctor can use to ease the baby down the birth canal.
Vacuum extraction, where suction is used to attach a cup-like device around the top of the baby’s head so the doctor can gently pull the baby down the birth canal.
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20. POSTPARTUM CARE
During the six to eight weeks following birth the mother’s body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.
For nursing mothers, the body’s complete return to normal requires more time.
Women are encouraged to get out of bed within 24 hours after birth – many walk much sooner.
On average, a woman loses 11 pounds during birth and another 7 pounds during the few weeks after birth. The remaining weight must be lost through diet and/or exercise.

21. POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorders are very common, and range from mild to severe.
Baby blues is by far the most common, and goes away on its own.
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious form of depression that needs medical attention.
Postpartum psychosis (PPP) is an extremely severe mental illness and needs immediate medical attention