Childbirth

Childbirth

Dilation of the Cervix• The Longest stage of labor

– 2 hours to days • Dilation is when the cervix widens• A woman is fully dilated when her cervix enlarges to 8 to 10

centimeters

Delivery of the Baby

• The cervix is completely dilated and ends with the delivery of the baby

• The baby moves down the birth canal, usually head first– The mother pushes, and the muscles in the uterus

contracts to push the baby out.– Crowning is when the baby’s head (head takes a cone-like

appearance)

Delivery of the Baby continued

• The baby has been eased out of the birth canal and begins to breathe on his or her own.

• Cutting the umbilical cord

Delivery of the Placenta

• Expulsion of the afterbirth• The afterbirth is the placenta is delivered

Apgar Score

Postpartum Period

• Hormones produce changes in the mother’s body

• The breast secret water substance called colostrum and then develops into milk– Colostrum: immunity to diseases– Breast Milk: respiratory, illness, skin disorders,

constipation, and diarrhea

Complications in Pregnancy• Ectopic Pregnancy

– Pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus– Symptoms include cramping, serve abdominal pain, and spotting– An ectopic pregnancy can be fatal to females

• RH incompatibility– Mismatch between the blood of the pregnant female and the blood of

the developing fetus. Female develops an antibody that attacks the substance in the fetus’s blood.

– Can be treated by an RH factor injection after birth so that she can become pregnant later in life.

Complications in Pregnancy continued

• Preeclampsia– Characterized by a rise in the pregnant female’s

blood pressure, swelling, and leakage of protein into the urine

– Untreated preeclampsia results in death in mother or the developing baby.

• Miscarriage– Natural ending of a preganancy before tha baby

can develop/

Complications in Pregnancy continued

• Cesarean section– Is a procedure in which a baby is removed from

the mother through making an incision through the mother’s abdomen and uterus removing the baby.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/314490/one-born-every-minute-graduating-to-parenthood