Download Birth

Keeping healthy before and during pregnancy
1. Avoid alcohol and drugs (including tobacco and caffeine)
2. Maintain nutritious diet
~Need up to 400 extra calories
3. Prenatal vitamins
~Folic acid is important because it reduces chances of birth
defects
4. Get moderate to regular exercise
~Improves circulation
~Prevents excessive weight gain
~Prepares mother for labor
5. Have all medical conditions evaluated by a doctor
Prenatal Care: healthcare provided during pregnancy
1st exam- physical exam, blood tests, discuss childbirth options.
Stages of Childbirth
~Begins with onset of labor
~Signs of onset are contractions or tightening of
uterine muscles
~Contractions are also known as “labor pains”
Bag of Waters breaks
Dilation: 1st stage of labor
~Uterus contracts
~Cervix dilates or opens up
~Membranes surrounding
baby open
~”Water breaks”amniotic fluid is released
out of vagina
~1st stage ends when the
cervix is dilated 10cm
Delivery of Baby: 2nd stage
~Head emerges fully
• Crowning
~Shoulders rotate
~Episiotomies may be done
Placental: 3rd stage
~Begins after the baby is delivered
~Ends when the uterus expels the placenta
and umbilical cord out of the body
Types of Childbirth
1. Natural Childbirth (Through the vagina)
2. Cesarean section (C-section)- baby and placenta are lifted out of
the mothers body by surgery
~An incision is made in the mother’s lower abdomen and then into
the uterus
~C-section are most common if:
 Baby too large
 Baby is in wrong position

Multiples
3. Nontraditional Birth

Birthing Center

Water Birth

Midwife
After Birth Procedures
Mucous Membranes are removed via suction
Umbilical Tube is clamped and cut
APGAR Test is preformed
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Appearance
Pulse
Grimace (reflex)
Activity
Respiration
Height, Weight Time of Birth are recorded
Antibiotics put into baby’s eyes to prevent
blindness due to Gonorrhea
Vitamin K shot for clotting, Hepatitis B to
prevent spread of infection due to fluid
exchange