Keeping healthy before and during pregnancyKeeping healthy before and during pregnancy

1. Avoid alcohol and drugs (including tobacco and caffeine)1. Avoid alcohol and drugs (including tobacco and caffeine)2. Maintain nutritious diet2. Maintain nutritious diet~Need up to 400 extra calories~Need up to 400 extra calories3. Prenatal vitamins3. Prenatal vitamins~Folic acid is important because it reduces chances of birth ~Folic acid is important because it reduces chances of birth

defectsdefects4. Get moderate to regular exercise4. Get moderate to regular exercise~Improves circulation~Improves circulation~Prevents excessive weight gain~Prevents excessive weight gain~Prepares mother for labor~Prepares mother for labor  5. Have all medical conditions evaluated by a doctor5. Have all medical conditions evaluated by a doctorPrenatal Care:Prenatal Care: healthcare provided during pregnancy healthcare provided during pregnancy 1st exam- physical exam, blood tests, discuss childbirth options.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 Childbirth1. 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 ProceduresAfter Birth Procedures Mucous Membranes are removed via suctionMucous Membranes are removed via suction Umbilical Tube is clamped and cutUmbilical Tube is clamped and cut APGAR Test is preformedAPGAR Test is preformed

1.1. AppearanceAppearance

2.2. PulsePulse

3.3. Grimace (reflex)Grimace (reflex)

4.4. ActivityActivity

5.5. RespirationRespiration

Height, Weight Time of Birth are recordedHeight, Weight Time of Birth are recorded

Antibiotics put into baby’s eyes to prevent Antibiotics put into baby’s eyes to prevent blindness due to Gonorrheablindness due to Gonorrhea

Vitamin K shot for clotting, Hepatitis B to Vitamin K shot for clotting, Hepatitis B to prevent spread of infection due to fluid prevent spread of infection due to fluid

exchangeexchange