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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
Why are babies' feces black just after birth?
Meconium is a baby's first bowel movement after birth. It is black and thick because it is a build up of material (amniotic fluid, water, etc.) that was taken in during pregnancy. The baby's bowels will soon have a yellow runny appearance after the baby drinks breast milk or formula.
Some babies can pass meconium before they are born, which could be inhaled and cause health problems.
Can your doctor break your water if you are 2 cm dilated?
everyones different... mine broke without dilation
Why are all babies given eyes drops at birth?
Babies are given eye drops at birth to prevent any infections that the baby may pick up from travelling down the birth canal, because a baby can pick up infections from vaginal secrections from the mother during birth because the birth canal and vagina are not very clean. If eye drops are not given (which in many poor countries they aren't) a baby can get eye infections and even go blind from the infections that he or she picks up during birth.
What are the odds of a fetus surviving in the 8 th month?
Pretty good, many babies have been born a lot earlier than that Even babies born as early as 25 weeks now have a good chance of surviving.
More than 90% of premature babies who weigh 800 grams (a little less than two pounds) or more survive.
Those who weigh more than 500 grams (a little more than 1 pound) have a 40% to 50% chance of survival.
So yes, your baby has a good chance.
A baby in the eighth month has more than an 80% chance of surviving with no long-term problems. My husband and his twin brother were born at 32 weeks, and my own twins were born at 36 weeks.
AnswerMake sure that if possible you get 2 shots of betamethasone before delivery. They help to "rapid mature" the baby's lungs.On a personal note, 2 of my 3 children were born at 32 weeks. One is 3 yrs old now and the other is 1 month. Both are healthy, though the little one is on an apnea monitor. They both spent 3 weeks in the NICU after birth, but had no complications. Oh, and both are white males (said to be slower in developing and take longer to come home).
Just an update on my children (many years later!) Only 2 shots of betamethasone can be given, and there is a risk of behavioral problems later on. My middle child (born @32w1d, weighing 4lbs11oz) is a relatively healthy 9 yr old now. However he does have Aspergers (An Autism Spectrum disorder, we believe completely unrelated to his early birth, as my husband has Aspergers), Bipolar Disorder (again, unrelated as it runs in my family genetically), AdHd (Common with Preemies FYI), Anxiety (Runs commonly with Asperger's/Bipolar), and Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
My other preemie (Born @32w5d, weighing 5lbs6oz) is now 6 yrs old. He has some mild developmental delays and epilepsy but is doing very well.
One thing I HIGHLY recommend to moms of preemies is to look into the RSV Vaccine (As my 2nd one was hospitalized 2x with severe RSV). Doctors will not "suggest" it on their own...you must REQUEST it yourself, and In my opinion it's worth it.
What is the name of a woman that has gave birth to septuplets?
Jenny Masche gave birth to sextuplets when she was 32 years old.
Is giving birth as painful as people say?
It's worse. It's it hurt like no other you have ever felt or will ever feel in your life. In Bill Cosby's book "Fatherhook," he said his wife's account was that it's like pulling your bottom lip over your head.
Babies have been born this premature, and although it's dangerous for them, many do live (although they almost always need at least 3-to-5 months in a special in-hospital unit before they are allowed to come home). For some reason girl babies have a much higher chance of surviving than boy babies.
What are three things that could cause a premature birth?
Three causes of premature birth include
1. Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), where the bag of waters surrounding the baby breaks prematurely for unknown causes or due to infection
2. Medically indicated preterm birth, where the baby must be delivered prematurely due to maternal or fetal complications, such as preeclampsia or hemorrhage in the mother or a compromise in fetal well-being
3. Incompetent cervix, where the cervix opens prematurely
Spontaneous preterm birth, in which there is no known cause, accounts for approximately 40% of all cases of premature delivery.
What part of the female body dilates when ready to give birth?
The Cervix. P.S. you should read your health book. :-P
Which hurts more blow to testicles or childbirth?
after giving birth women often say i want another one, after a kick in the testicles guys very seldom if ever say i want another kick in the balls, so my vote goes to testicles is more painful!
Is 97.8 a fever for a 1 month baby?
No. This is within the normal temperature range. Not until temp is above 99 is there cause for concern (usually viral infection in the 99-100 range, and more likely bacterial above 101).
What is the record for babies born in one birth?
There have been sets of nonuplets (9 babies), though none of the babies survived for long.
In 1999 there has been an octuplet (8 babies) with 7 surviving babies and in 2009 an octuplet was born where all the babies have survived so far.
Don't try it, your baby will be too early. Babies born before 37 weeks may have feeding and breathing problems. Also they have not laid down all the fat they need to keep wartm so may get cold very quickly. You baby is much better in your warm uterus than in the cold air or a plastic incubator.
How much did the smallest baby ever born weigh?
He's known as the smallest baby ever to be delivered at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center and survive.
Trey keifer was born April 5th and only weighed 13 ounces
Actually the smallest-sized baby that was ever born was Rumaisa Rahman she was 8.6 ounces when she was born at 26 weeks in Maywood, Illinois in 2004.
Trey Keifer was the small baby ever born at St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center not the small baby in general.
Choosing to have a baby at home or at a hospital is a very personal decision. Here are a few opinions on the safety of home birth:
- If everything goes perfectly right with the birth, home birth can be safe. The problem is, while complications are generally the exception and not the rule, they do happen. A hospital is very prepared to handle almost anything that might happen, including the need for a Cesareans section -- something you flat out can't do at home. For the sake of safety, I'd personally choose a hospital.
- Home births are very safe. Most doulas and midwives that I know and have worked with have never had a complication occur in the home setting. Of course they do not take on "high risk" cases.
- One benefit of home birth is that mom and baby have developed immunity to their own home environment, while hospitals have developed super germs. There is less risk of infection for mom and baby at home. While most birth is reasonably simple, unexpected complications do happen at home as well as in the hospital. Midwives work to minimize risk by prenatally educating home birth mothers about excellent nutrition. They also assist with simple ways of helping babies maintain proper position in preparation for birth, thereby minimizing risk. Most midwives accept only low risk clients, while others are not so careful. Most midwives are grateful for the assistance of medical professionals, and transport earlier than later when questions of safety arise. It is important to interview many midwives and choose someone well educated, who is conservative in her care and who has a good relationship with the medical community. Doulas are not typically educated or appropriately prepared to take on the responsibility of being the care provider, but in many ways are great support to the mother and family in labor and birth. While some parents might choose to give birth without a midwife in attendance, without adequate knowledge, skill, equipment, or ability to read a situation properly, outcomes are statistically less favorable. It is not possible to foresee fetal distress or hemorrhage, and a midwife works hard to be prepared to deal with each situation appropriately. A good midwife does prenatal care, is on hand and carefully watchful during labor and birth, and is present for a number of hours after birth. She does careful postnatal and newborn care in the months following birth. She also does appropriate labs and newborn tests, and files the birth certificate. Home birth is usually safe, especially when good medical backup is available as well.
- From personal experience I can tell you that it is much less uncomfortable to give birth at home. Less stress on the mother = less stress on the baby. As far as "high risk" goes, you might want to look up what factors make a woman "high risk"-they can include everything from drug use to poverty or something as simple as being under 5 feet tall.
Do you have to cut the cord when the baby is born?
Well someone does. Otherwise the baby will keep bleeding from it and have the placenta dragged after her.
Does a women's vagina hurt during natural birth?
Because if the baby comes out of the vagina then the hole it come's out of get's bigger from the baby's head pushing it's way out. I havn't given birth but i heard its VERY painful!!
Can a baby born between 20 to 25 week survive?
Yes, but it won't be easy. It would need much work in the hospital to keep it alive. That said, I have a distant relative by marriage who was born at 23wks, and is a healthy beautiful young lady.
Same as above with me, I was the same situation and I am perfectly fine. I will start at a community college in the fall as a Criminal Justice major. I spent a LOT of time in the hospital when I was born @ 1lb and 13 oz and it was really hard on my parents, but the hardship will most likely relieve itsself in time.
Will 15ml of castor oil bring your labor on?
No. It is more likely just to give you vomiting and diarrhea, which you really don't want during labour! It is a myth that castor oil brings on labour and is strongly advised against by doctors and midwives. Besides that, it tastes horrible
90 days are 12 weeks and 6 days, or one day less than 13 weeks.
What stage of labor is childbirth?
In this phase, contractions are longer and more regular, usually occurring about every two minutes. These stronger contractions are also more painful.
How long does it take to fully dialate?
they will most likly not be as dialated as the last ones. she will be stretched and it may be easier will giving birth.
Does egg white mucous plug indicates pregnancy?
Not necesarilly. It could just mean you haven't ovulated yet or that you don't have discharge this month. Wait unti you are late for your period and take a home test.
