Pregnant Pumpkin

What is Labor?Energy and effort used to move the baby out

of the mothers body

The average length of labor for a first baby is about 12-14 hours.

The Beginning of LaborLightening- baby drops lower into

pelvis making it easier to breathe.Lightening may occur days or weeks

before labor depending on the pregnancy.

Lightening typically occurs closer to delivery with every pregnancy each mother has.

Early Signs of LaborContractions: Starts as cramps and

aches, get more intense and regular. When the uterus contracts, it gets

shorter and harder- like any other muscle.

With each contraction the uterine muscle , shortens and harden- holds the hardness for a short time, and then relaxes and rest for a few minutes.

This is the clearest sign that labor has begun.

Braxton HicksBraxton Hicks contractions are false

labor pains. They begin to feel strong contractions

and believe that labor has begun. Doctors look for these 3 signs to

determine if labor is false:1.Contractions are not regular or rhythmic.2.They do not become increasingly

stronger. 3.They end if the woman walks around.

Early Signs of LaborLosing the mucous plug is known as

“Show” or “Bloody Show”Throughout the pregnancy the mucous

plug seals the cervix. This “show” may come as early as a few

days before labor begins.

Early Signs of LaborIn some women, the onset of labor is

signaled by a trickle- or a gush- of warm fluid from the vagina. We commonly refer to this as the “water

breaking.” Occurs when the membrane holding the

amniotic fluid surrounding the baby has broken.

For most, this membrane does not rupture until she is at the hospital in active labor.

External Monitoring:Records mom and baby’s vital signs, and

contractions

Internal Monitoring:Needle attached to the baby’s head inside.

Only used when external isn’t working.

Pitocin:Female hormone starts the labor process

and decreases bleeding after delivery

Epidural & Spinal Anesthesia:Deadens the base of the spine and lower

area. ExpensiveContinuous

ForcepsSpecial tongs that are designed to fit the

shape of the baby’s head. Guides the infant’s head out of birth

canal.Can bruise or misshape the head.

Vacuum Extractor:Suction top of baby’s head to pull outCan cause bruisingLooks like a toilet plunger

EffacementThinning out and shortening of the cervix

DilationCervix opening 0-10 cm in diameter

Before labor begins- the cervix is normal size and shape.

The 1st Stage: Dilation StageEarly Labor: 0-4 cm.

5-10 min. apartShow: plug of cervix

is releasedActive Labor: 3-7 cm.

2-3 min. apartTransition: 8-10 cm.

1-3 min. apartHardest part.

Baby’s head moves into birth canal.Want to push.

The 2nd StageExpulsion of baby’s head until

completely born.Crowning: See the head from the

outside

•Baby’s head emerges first•Next the shoulders follows.•Then the rest of the baby slips out easily.

The 3rd StageAfterbirth: expulsion of placenta, cord

and sacEpisiotomy: Cut from vagina toward

rectum so won’t tearEasier to sew a straight line than a

jagged tear

After Birth the Doctor:Cleans out baby’s airwayCuts the cordPlaces baby on mom’s stomach

Baby Center WebsiteLabor and Delivery: Inside Pregnancy: Labor &

Birth (animated – good)http://www.babycenter.com/2_inside-pregnancy

-labor-and-birth_3658872.bcLive Birth: Assisted – Epidural (first)

http://www.babycenter.com/2_live-birth-epidural_10314055.bc

Induced Labor (first – start on 4:23)http://www.babycenter.com/2_live-birth-inducti

on_10300051.bc

Baby Center Website/YouTube

Assisted Baby Delivery – Forceps/Vacuum - modelhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGYfia8ol34

&feature=relmfuC-section (c-section – epidural – placenta)

http://www.babycenter.com/2_live-birth-epidural_10314055.bc

Apgar ScaleThe Apgar Scale is used to rate to health of a

newborn.

Heart Rate

00 11 22

AbsentAbsent Under 100Under 100 Over 100Over 100

Breathing

00 11 22

AbsentAbsent Slow, Slow, IrregularIrregular

Good, cryingGood, crying

Muscle Tone

00 11 22

LimpLimp Some Some movement movement

Active Active motionmotion

Responsiveness: baby’s reaction when nose is irritated

00 11 22

No No ResponseResponse GrimaceGrimace

Cough or Cough or SneezeSneeze

Color

00 11 22Light skinned child:

blue or pale

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Dark skinned child: grayish or pale

Light skinned child: body pink, limbs blue

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Dark skinned child: strong body color,

grayish limbs

Light skinned child: completely pink.

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Dark skinned child: strong color with pink lips,

palms, and soles

Umbilical Cord ComplicationsCan be constricted – wrapped around neck.Stops flow of blood and oxygen to baby.

Mother’s Pelvis ComplicationsWidened through pubertyNeeds to be large enough to pass a baby

throughIf not, plan a Cesarean Section.

Cesarean BirthIf complications arise during

pregnancy or during labor it may be necessary to perform a Cesarean Birth- the delivery of a baby by making a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen.

With the use of certain medications, mother is able to stay awake to see the delivery of her baby.

Cesarean Birth vs. Vaginal BirthC-Section requires 6 week recovery

Can be planned or emergencyNo labor pains if planned

VaginalGo through laborNo surgical recovery

Posterior Position of Baby:Baby is face up rather than face downHead has to get up and around the pelvic

boneCan make the 2nd stage of labor more difficult

Breech Position:Anything but head first

Usually feet or bum first

Fontanels:Open spaces where the bones have not joined

yet.One above the foreheadOne toward back of skull

LanugoSome babies have fine downy hair

called “lanugo” over their forehead, back, and shoulders. This will disappear.

VernixTo protect baby’s skin it is covered with a

rich creamy substance called “vernix caseosa.” After birth some vernix may be found in the creases of the skin- it can be removed with warm water and a washcloth.

MiliaSome babies also

have tiny white bumps scattered over their nose and cheeks.

These bumps are called “milia.” They are simply plugged oil ducts.

The milia will disappear in a week or two.

BREATHING1. Throughout fetal

development lungs are collapsed.

2. At delivery they expand and fill with amniotic fluid that may have been in the trachea.

BREATHING3. The pressure of

being squeezed through the birth canal expels most of the fluid.

4. After birth the baby takes its first breath of air.

CIRCULATION

1. Once lungs begin to take in oxygen, circulatory system changes.

2. A valve in the heart closes.

CIRCULATION3. Blood now circulates

through the lungs rather than bypassing them as it did during fetal development.

4. Umbilical cord clamped, blood must reroute through the baby’s body.

DIGESTION1. Baby’s system

must learn to digest food.

2. Meconium Baby’s first

bowel movement

Black & tarry substance

TEMPERATURE1. Because

circulation is not perfect, wrapping the baby helps keep it warm.

2. Fingers and toes tend to be cooler than the rest of the body.

SLEEPING1. Newborns need to establish a sleep

pattern.

Identification1. A footprint is taken.

2. Baby is banded, mother and father have matching bands

Testing1. PKU – Blood drawn

and tested

2. Silver Nitrate is put in the eyes to prevent infection.

Bonding & Attachment1. Should begin as soon

as possible in the delivery room.

2. Infants are put right into their mother’s arms.

Bonding & Attachment3. Breast fed babies

may nurse in the delivery room.

4. Newborn instinctively focuses on mothers face.

5. Fathers should participate in bathing, cutting the cord.

Paperwork1. Parents are

responsible to order the birth certificate.

2. Parents are responsible to apply for a social security number.

Hospital Stay1. Mom needs time to rest and recover.

2. In some cases healthy moms and babies may go home in 12 hours.

3. Average stay is 2 days after birth.

Emotional Needs1. Birth is joyous but stressful.

2. Many new mothers go through a few days of “baby blues”

3. Talking about feelings helps.

4. Adequate rest, taking care of self helps.

5. Some women experience Post Partum a depression that occurs after the baby is born.

• After pregnancy, hormonal changes in a woman's body may trigger symptoms of depression. These can be very subtle but also can be extreme. Each woman is different.