The Birth

Front 1

SIGNS OF LABOUR

Back 1

- Contractions

- Waters breaking

- Show

Front 2

CONTRACTIONS

Back 2

- Regular contractions as the muscles of the uterus tighten and relax

- Gradually occur closer together

- Gradually become stronger and longer

Front 3

WATERS BREAKING

Back 3

- Amniotic sac bursts producing a trickle or large gush

- Mother advised to go to hospital to prevent infection

Front 4

SHOW

Back 4

Blood stained plug of mucus that comes away from the cervix as it becomes wider.

Front 5

BRAXTON HICKS CONTRACTIONS

Back 5

- 'practice' contractions sometimes felt in the last 3 months in pregnancy

- Muscles of uterus expand and contract but usually only last 30-60s

Front 6

HOSPITAL CONFINEMENT

Back 6

- Expectant woman reports to admissions desk

- Antenatal ward if early stages of labour

- Delivery suite if advanced labour

- Expectant woman assessed by a midwife

- Birth plan and pain relief discussed

Front 7

POSITION OF THE BABY

Back 7

- Abdominal exam shows position of baby

- Normal position is with the head down and back towards mother's abdomen

- Other positions; breech, transverse, oblique

Front 8

BREECH

Back 8

- Bottom or feet-first position

- Can be delivered vaginally although problems may arise

- Forceps often used

- May require Caesarean

Front 9

TRANSVERSE

Back 9

- Lies across the abdomen instead of vertically

- Requires Caesarean

Front 10

OBLIQUE

Back 10

- Lies at an angle in the abdomen, often with face and limbs towards the mother's abdomen

- Requires Caesarean

Front 11

POSITIONS DURING LABOUR

Back 11

- Standing up and moving around

- Sitting

- Kneeling on a bed or a cushion

- Lying down

- Squatting

Front 12

3 STAGES OF LABOUR

Back 12

1. Early symptoms showing labour has started. Purpose is to open up the cervix gradually.

2. Begins when the cervix fully dilated and ends with the birth of the baby.

3. Shortest stage. Begins after the birth, and is completed after the cord, membranes and placenta have been delivered.

Front 13

LABOUR: STAGE ONE

Back 13

- Can take 12-15 hours

- Waters may break

- Contractions tighten and shorten becoming stronger

- Baby's head engages for delivery

Front 14

LABOUR: STAGE TWO

Back 14

- Cervix fully dilated

- Cervix and vagina become the birth canal

- Mother begins to push with contractions, helping the baby move down the birth canal

- Mother should rest between contractions

Front 15

LABOUR: STAGE TWO

Back 15

- Important the head is born slowly to prevent perineum tearing

- Baby's body turned to allow one shoulder at a time to be delivered

- Rest of the body then slides out easily

Front 16

LABOUR: STAGE THREE

Back 16

- After the birth, more contractions push out the placenta

- Between 20 and 60 minutes

- Syntocin causes the uterus to contract and may be used to speed this up

Front 17

EXAMINATION OF THE PLACENTA

Back 17

- Placenta examined after it is expelled.

- It should be intact as it can cause infection or haemorrhage if some if left inside.

- Placenta can be kept by the mother but, frequently hospitals dispose of it.

Front 18

ROLE OF BIRTH PARTNER

Back 18

- Encouragement and support

- Offering drinks, ice cubes, snacks

- Reminding medical staff of what the mother has in her birth plan

Front 19

CROWNING

Back 19

Baby's head can be seen at the entrance of the vagina

Front 20

PERINEUM

Back 20

Skin between the vagina and the anus

Front 21

TRANSITION STAGE

Back 21

Stage linking the first and second stage of labour

Front 22

DILATION

Back 22

Widening of the cervix during labour