CHILDBIRTH

Question 1

Childbirth

Answer 1

• Part of a process that begins months before
• Vaginal deliveries and Caesarean sections

FINAL FEW WEEKS OF
PREGNANCY:

* lightening: the descent of the baby’s head into the birth canal

• braxton hicks contractions (can begin before!) - false labour
• decreased movement of fetus
• sometimes a “showing”(a little blood) within 24 hrs of labour

Question 2

Triggers for labour

Answer 2

• Fetus’s nutritional requirements surpass what the placenta can deliver-
• Fetus’s body has typically already rotated to head-down
• → Fetus’s lung release a protein that triggers labour
• → mother’s body to start the birth process
• → releases oxytocin → continuing contractio

Question 3

A typical birth

Answer 3

There is no such thing as a typical birth

• Each experience is different
• 20 minutes to 30 + hours
• Is typically hard work, hence labour
• Is one of the most remarkable experiences

Question 4

Child Birth: Three Stages

Answer 4

Stage 1: Effacement & Dilation

Stage 2: Emergence of the Baby

Stage 3:Delivery of the Placenta

Question 5

Stage 1 - dialation

Answer 5

• cervix softens and dilates
  to full 10 cm
• average duration: 12-18
  hours
  -latent stage: brief and
  infrequent light contractions
  (usually lasts several hours)
  -active stage: 40-60 sec
  stronger contractions every 3-
  5 mins. (typically lasts 2-3
  hours)
  -transition: intense
  contractions every 2-3
  minutes lasting 60-90 sec
  (typically 10-30 min)

Question 6

Stage 2 - Transition

Answer 6

• Usually 10-40 minutes, but
  can be longer
• Strong contractions every
  2-3 min
• Often strong desire to
  push; can be very helpful if
  controlled to occur with
  each contraction
• Perineum must stretch
  considerably
• Baby’s head crowns when
  it is through the vaginal
  opening to stay

Question 7

baby is out (not a stage)

Question 8

Stage 3 -afterbirth

Answer 8

• AFTERBIRTH
• 20-40 minutes after
  birth, the placenta is
  expelled
• Contractions (light)
  begin again
• Mother can assist by
  pushing
• Afterbirth and umbilical
  cord checked

Question 9

Effects on the Fetus

Answer 9

• Stressful - but of a kind that may be useful
  
  • elevated adrenalin and noradrenalin helpful
  • the experience of labour (pressure on the head) sets up a more optimal stress response system
  • Helps protect the newborn from respiratory distress(the presure in the head help/jump start their respetory response)
• Painful – not so much for the fetus
• Pressure is not that painful
• Also, natural painkillers (beta-endorphins)
• Typically breathe on their own at birth

Question 10

Cultural & historical differences in births

Answer 10

• Different birthing settings: home, hospital, field
• Different birthing methods, e.g. Lamaze
• Different birthing positions
• Doctor or midwife attending
• Different pain control choices
• Different degree of involvement of mother, father, and
  friends – or Doulas

Question 11

Cesarean Section

Answer 11

• An incision made in mother’s abdomen
• Baby lifted out
• Number is increasing – 28.6% in Canada in 2018
• In part due to parental demand
• But also parental age, underlying health (obesity,diabetes), having had a previous C-section

Question 12

benefits of vaginal birth

Answer 12

infants born vaginally less likely to develop allergies,asthma and even childhood obisedity compering to c-section infants