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Labor and Birth
Arm yourself with information before you have that first contraction. Ask questions here about the delivery process, signs of labor, procedures done during labor, medications given and safety precautions.
2,664 Questions
A 'stretch and sweep' or 'membrane sweep' is a form of induction used at the end of pregnancy. The practitioner (ob or midwife) will 'sweep' the membranes surrounding the baby in the area of the cervix. This is done with the finger (as opposed to an instrument) with the intention of separating these membranes from the cervix, inducing labor. For some it is painless, for others is creates the sensation of contractions.
What is the worlds most premature baby to survive?
A premature baby is an infant born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Often, the cause of preterm delivery is unknown and not within the mother's control. Sometimes it's caused by the mother's health conditions or lifestyle choices during pregnancy, such as having diabetes, hypertension, heart or kidney problems, an infection, poor nutrition during the pregnancy, or bleeding due to a low positioning of the placenta. Drug, alcohol and tobacco use also contribute to premature birth.
Preterm deliveries occur more often in women younger than 19 or older than 40, and among those with a previous preterm delivery. However, any woman can have a baby prematurely, and many who do have no known risk factors.
Preemies are born with many special needs which is why they often begin their lives in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The NICU is designed to limit stress to the infant and meet their basic needs of warmth, nutrition, and protection to allow proper growth and development.
Due to recent advancements in neonatal care of the preemie - more than 60% of the tiniest (500 grams) now survive and 90% of those who weigh 2 lbs (800 grams) at birth will survive and thrive.
Premature babies lack the body fat necessary to maintain their body temperature. So incubators or radiant warmers are used to keep them warm in the NICU. Keeping babies' temperatures within a normal range will help them grow faster.
Premature babies have special nutritional needs because they grow at a faster rate than full-term babies and their digestive systems are immature. They lack the ability to suck on their own and most premature infants have to be fed slowly because of the risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), an intestinal infection - so they are fed by a tube that goes directly to the stomach from the nose or mouth. Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrition and it offers infection fighting antibodies - it maybe fortified with vitamins and minerals to meet the premies special needs.
A common condition is hyperbilirubinemia (newborn jaundice), affecting 80% of premature babies. Infants with hyperbilirubinemia have high levels of bilirubin causing them to develop a yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes. This is treated with special lights that help them to break down the extra blood cells that cause jaundice. Untreated it can cause brain damage.
In the NICU, all premature babies are monitored for apnea - another common health problem - where a baby stops breathing, the heart rate may decrease, and the skin may turn pale or blue. Apnea is usually caused by immaturity in the area of the brain that controls the reflex to breathe. Almost all babies born at 30 weeks or less will experience some apnea but the spells become less frequent with age. Treating apnea can be as simple as gently stimulating the infant to restart breathing, but for some drug therapy or special breathing assistance is needed.
One of the most common (and immediate) problems for a premature infant is difficulty breathing. Many things can cause breathing difficulties in premature infants, but the most common is called respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). This develops because the preemie lacks surfactant which helps to expand the lungs properly. Fortunately, RDS is treatable and most infants do very well.
Infection is always a threat to preemies because they're less able to fight germs that can cause serious illness. Practically any body part can become infected. Bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics while other medications are prescribed to treat viruses or fungal infections. Frequent hand washing is used in the NICU to reduce the risk of infection.
Parent involvement is another important factor in caring for a premature infant. While it may seem overwhelming to see your baby surrounded by tubes and wires - and under the care of doctors and nurses - he or she is still your baby and nothing else can replace the loving touch of mom and dad.
What is the safest way to deliver a baby?
Have a good midwife or dula to assist. Sitting position is less painful. Problems occur when baby needs turning or is breech. Attend birthing classes; consider birthing in bathtub with warm water. I am told this reduces pain and is easy on baby. My grandmother midwived in the late 19th century. I have a friend who is a dula. I had my six children in hospital setting. Only two of the births were free from unanticipated complications. A good OB will assist in natural childbirth.
Incision of the perineum during childbirth?
The incision of the perineum (area between the vagina and anus) is called an episiotomy. It is done when the head does not pass easily through the vagina or the midwife/obstertrician thinks that you will tear badly, and also during an assisted delivery, such as a forceps or ventouse delivery.
What classes in college do midwifes take?
Today, midwives are typically registered nurses. Most have advanced degrees (master's some doctorates). Still, there are three options to become a registered nurse as follows. * diploma program (typically three years, not recommended for individuals who do not have an already existing degree) * associate degree (two years as a full-time student once the student starts the professional phase of the program) * bachelor's degree (BSN) (four years as a full-time student) For the source and more detailed information concerning your request, click on the related links section (U.S. Department of Labor) indicated at the bottom of this answer box.
How can you go into labor if your 30 weeks?
Yes. It is possible to go into labor at any point. It might not be healthy for the baby to be in labor at 30 weeks, so it's best to get to a hospital and be examined by a medical professional.
What is acupressure technique?
Dispersing is meant to move stagnant or blocked chi, and the finger or thumb is moved in a circular motion or slightly in and out of the point for two minutes.
What is a midwife salary in Jamaica?
A certified midwife in Jamaica has a salary between $87,000 and $94,000 a year. Depending on where a person works and how long they've been there, the salary may be higher or lower.
== == Theoretically, as long as you are past the point where the fetus is viable, active labor can begin any time in any pregnancy, no matter how much you are dilated or effaced. This means you could go into active labor in four minutes, four days, four weeks, etc. There's really no way to tell.
Why do you want to be a midwife?
Because it is an amazing thing to see a baby born into new life I am a mid wife and i enjoy every second of it . Just giving life and seeing people faces. But there is also said time I would recommend this to any one even if the money is not that great.
Why do Socrates referred to as midwife?
Socrates is often referred to as a "midwife" because of his method of helping others give birth to their own ideas through questioning and dialogue, rather than simply imparting knowledge. This Socratic method involves asking probing questions that encourage individuals to think critically and arrive at their own conclusions. Just as a midwife assists in the birth process, Socrates facilitated intellectual discovery and understanding, guiding others to clarify and articulate their thoughts.
How long after you pass mucus plug will you deliver?
Within 24 hours. Mucous plug desention means that cervix is opening.
Can you still have a baby when you do not have your uterus?
The baby is enclosed inside the uterus, that is where it gets it nourishment and where the egg attaches to! No uterus... NO BABY.
Is a baby of 35 weeks ready to be born?
If not entirely ready, so pretty darn close. Usually doesn't need any special care after birth.
It all depends on the baby. Some babies born at 35 weeks require no special care after birth, some require only a little, some a lot.
Babies born at 35 weeks are more likely to require,
-some help with their breathing (as lungs not always mature)
-some help with feeding (as sucking reflex not always developed at this gestation)
-jaundice (common in premature and pre term babies)
Why do women need help when giving birth?
It's always good to have others around - in case there are complications (breech birth, cord round baby's neck, baby not responding to stimulation etc)
How many days precisely would the baby stay in the womb?
All babies are different - some arrive early and some arrive late. Pregnancy lasts roughly 40 weeks which is 280 days
How much of the umbilical cord gets cut off at birth?
During prenatal development in mammals, the umbilical cord connects the fetus to the placenta. In humans, the umbilical cord, or birth cord, is about 20 inches long, and is generally clamped and cut at the newborn infant's navel between 1 and 5 minutes after birth.
Do you have to be a nurse to be a midwife?
No, there are alot of "Nurse Midwives" but you dont have to be a nurse to be one. just get your schooling and alot of experence -the Philippines are a great place to go for that, I delivered over 100 babies there within 6 months- dont put yourself through the trouble of becomeing a nurse then a midwife. Nurse Midwives are people that were nurses then took up midwifery. Good Luck!
2 cms dilated and 50 percent effaced and you lost your mucous plug how much longer until labor?
It really depends. I went into labor within 6 hours, my daughter in law is being induced right now as I type this and she was all these three things last Sunday the 11th. So here she is 8 days later being induced.
Her sister didn't give birth for 2 weeks after all the above mentioned. Baby comes when baby wants ;o)
What are the chances for a baby to be born with hemophilia?
Hemophilia is passed down from mother to son. It is extremely
rare for a woman to have hemophilia. It is necessary, though, for
a woman to be a carrier of the disorder for her son to acquire this
disorder. Females have two X chromosomes whereas males only
have one. When a boy is born, he takes one X chromosome from
his mother and one Y chromosome from his father. Therefore, he
can only get hemophilia through his mother.
Example One:
Mother(Carrier)+Father(Non-Affected)=50% chance of their son
acquiring the disorder and 50% chance of their daughter being a
carrier.
Example Two:
Mother(Non-Affected)+Father(Hemophiliac)=All sons will be
non-affected and all daughters will be carriers.
What does it mean if the babys head is down in the stomach?
breech. lol.
Edit: it does NOT mean breech ! A 'breech' baby is one that's positioned with the head uppermost in the womb !
What are the causes of breech births?
For reasons that are not fully understood, almost all unborn babies settle into a head down position. The fetus is upside down in the uterus, and the head will lead the way during the birth process. Unfortunately, some fetuses do not cooperate.
How long to delivery when 2cm dialated and 100 effaced?
it depends on the shape of the baby's head, the way it comes out, and if you have twins. but it usually takes 15-30 min.
Can a baby be born at 18 weeks if water breaks?
Born 18 weeks premature, on 7/13/10 at 1 Lb. 9 Ounces and 11 Inches Long
http://preemie.info/cms/modules/news/
Finally, we have two cases at 18 weeks. Note: For a listing of eleven such early survivors, see the 1989 edition of Abortion Questions and Answers (Willke. Hayes Pub. Co. pp. 60, 61).
http://www.christianliferesources.com/?library/view.php&articleid=1253
A number of babies have been born alive after only 18 weeks of pregnancy, research has revealed. Dozens more have survived terminations even though they were younger than 24 weeks -- the upper age limit for abortions.
The study, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, revealed that some of the babies who initially survived terminations were only in the 18th week of pregnancy and more than half were under 22 weeks.
http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0001453/40/
A NUMBER of babies have been born alive after only 18 weeks of pregnancy, research has revealed.
Dozens more have survived terminations even though they are younger than 24 weeks - the upper age limit for abortions.
Some were able to move around, breathe normally and even cry out. Many lived for more than an hour, and one survived for four and a-half hours.
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+babies+who+are+born+alive+after+18+weeks-a0134883445
