|
Childbirth is the process by which a woman gives birth to a baby. A pregnant woman carries a baby within her body inside a hollow, muscular organ called the uterus. After about nine months, the baby passes out of the uterus and through the vagina, also called the birth canal. Childbirth can be painful, but the severity of the pain varies among women.
The birth process is called labor. The process begins when the muscles of the uterus start to tighten and relax in a rhythmic pattern. As labor progresses, these muscle contractions become stronger and more frequent, causing the cervix (lower part of the uterus) to open. After the cervix has opened about 4 inches (10 centimeters), the contractions gradually force the baby through the cervix and out of the woman's body through the vagina. Many women assist the process by "pushing" with their abdominal muscles in time with their contractions. The amniotic sac, a membrane containing fluids that surround the baby, breaks before or during labor. The fluids flow out through the vagina.
In most births, the head is the first part of the baby that comes out of the mother's body. But in some deliveries, called breech births, the feet or buttocks come out first. After the baby has come out of the mother's body completely, the umbilical cord is cut, and the infant starts to breathe. The umbilical cord is a tubelike structure that connects the baby to the placenta, an organ attached to the wall of the uterus. Food and oxygen from the mother's blood pass through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy.
After the baby is born, the muscles of the uterus continue to contract until the placenta separates from the uterus and is expelled through the vagina. The discharged placenta is also called the afterbirth.
The length of labor varies greatly among women. It averages 13 to 14 hours for women having their first babies and lasts 7 to 8 hours thereafter.
Some woman need an operation called a cesarean section to deliver a baby. In this operation, a surgeon removes the baby and the placenta through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. Cesarean sections are performed for a number of reasons, but chiefly because the baby cannot pass through the birth canal. The woman's pelvis may be too small, or the baby may be too large.
Methods of childbirth. Most women in developed countries deliver their babies in hospitals, which have specially equipped birth facilities. During childbirth, a woman may receive medication to relieve her labor pains. In some cases, a physician will administer a drug to induce (bring on) labor. Before delivery, the physician may widen the woman's vaginal opening by making a small incision called an episiotomy.
In many cases, physicians use an electronic fetal monitor to record the baby's heartbeat during labor. Disturbances in the heartbeat may signal that the baby is in danger and that a cesarean section may be necessary.
During the 1960's and the 1970's, many hospitals developed educational programs to prepare women for childbirth and parenting. These programs instruct both mothers and fathers on pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. In addition, such programs as natural childbirth and the Lamaze method teach relaxation exercises and breathing techniques to lessen the discomfort of labor, thus reducing the need for painkilling drugs. Many such drugs pass to the baby through the placenta, so some women choose to avoid them. Some women also avoid drugs so they can remain alert throughout labor.
A type of anesthesia called an epidural is another popular method for relieving labor pain. This form of pain relief does not affect the baby or reduce the mother's alertness, but it must be given by a specially trained doctor. Epidural anesthesia is injected through a small tube that is inserted into the back next to the spinal cord. When the anesthesia is absorbed by nerves that go from the spine to the uterus, it almost completely eliminates labor pains.
At many hospitals, birthing rooms offer an alternative to traditional labor and delivery rooms. Most birthing rooms resemble a home bedroom and are used for labor, delivery, and sometimes recovery. Birthing rooms provide a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where the hospital's facilities are still at hand if complications occur.
I have come across with an article published on 16 Mar 2004 in "KID’S HEALTH" Magazine, which is reproduced below to assist new mothers.
Steps to Recovering From Delivery
That Every Woman Needs to Know
You have spent the last nine months of your life preparing, anticipating, writing out lists of names, picking out the perfect home from the hospital outfit and stocking up on diapers while waiting for that tiny precious life to arrive and now the moment has come. After the excitement and family visitors, it’s a special bonding time for you and your baby.
You’re filled with love every time you look at your baby, yet you are feeling a mix of new and unexpected physical and emotional experiences. Lamaze classes, and advice from your mother and friends who have had children, may have prepared you for childbirth, but not for this.
First, the important thing to realize is that these feelings are normal and the key to dealing with them is acknowledgement, then finding a coping strategy. The following list compiled by the Kid’s Health magazine offers what physical and emotional symptoms to expect after childbirth:
Physical symptoms
Tenderness in the breasts: Your breasts may become painfully enlarged when the milk comes in and your nipples may become sore.
Constipation: The first bowel movement is usually delayed to the third or fourth day after delivery and you may feel sore due to sensitive hemorrhoids.
Episiotomy: If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus) was cut by your doctor during the birth, it may be difficult to walk or sit because the stitches are healing.
Hemorrhoids: These are very common yet usually unexpected and not noticed initially.
Hot and cold flashes: Your internal thermostat is fluctuating trying to adjust to the new hormone and blood flow levels.
Urinary or fecal incontinence: Coughing, laughing or straining can cause you to inadvertently pass urine due to the muscles that were stretched during delivery, particularly long vaginal deliveries.
"After pains": Contractions caused by the shrinking of your uterus may worsen when your baby is nursing.
Vaginal discharge: Your periods may be heavier, with clots sometimes the size of golf balls, but will gradually taper off and stop altogether after two months.
Weight: Before you start losing weight, your postpartum weight will be around 10 pounds below your full-term weight.
Wide-range of emotions
"Baby blues": As a result of hormonal changes such as exhaustion, unexpected birth experiences, adjusting to new roles and feelings of loss of control over your life, makes up about 80 percent of what new moms feel. Emotions such as sadness, crying, or anxiety can happen days or weeks after delivery.
Postpartum depression: 10 percent to 20 percent of new moms may experience mood swings, anxiety, guilt and persistent sadness. This is considered more serious than the baby blues and can occur several months after delivery.
Postpartum psychosis: A severe and fairly rare condition that may become life threatening to you and your baby and you should call your doctor immediately if you experience any feelings of harming yourself or your baby.
What to expect after a cesarean section
This is a major surgery and takes a much longer time to heal.
The worse pain will be the day after the surgery and will gradually begin to subside.
Don’t scratch the area of the incision and take sponge baths for the first several days.
If you notice any redness or swelling around the incision, call your doctor to make sure it isn’t infected.
To help the recovery process, start gentle exercises such as abdominal tightening, bending and walking, (with assistance initially) as soon as possible.
Drink lots of water, preferably eight to ten glasses a day.
Expect vaginal discharge.
Avoid stairs and driving until you have healed properly.
Taking time for yourself
One major area of new mothers’ lives that is thrown off kilter once the baby arrives is allowing time for you. Experts say that it’s important for moms to know that if you feel like you need some time for yourself, that you not only deserve it but are entitled to it.
Making time in your schedule whether that be through the help of a significant other, family member or friend, will help with giving you the feeling of having control over your life and gaining some sense of self.
Experts recommend beginning a self-care program early on after having your baby and always remember that good mothering does not mean perfect mothering. Formulating a self-care program involves developing a sense of balance between yourself and family members and pursuing your own interests and goals that you set for yourself. Not only are your needs important to the development of the family, but also are fundamental to their happiness.
The following exercise is a great way to help you set your priorities after motherhood:
Make a list of five activities, goals, hobbies or interests that are important to you to pursue in the year following childbirth.
Next, make a promise to yourself that you will look at this list a few months after your baby is born. By doing this exercise, you can integrate your interests with motherhood.
Keeping a strong relationship with your partner
Having a baby always puts relationships to the test and it’s up to you and your partner to determine if your relationship will get stronger or weaker as a result of this experience.
As it was before the baby, keeping an open line of communication, especially if there’s a problem, is even more critical now because you don’t have as much time to spend together and you have many more responsibilities.
Try to put aside some time in the day for alone time and share your feelings as honestly and supportively as you can. Come up with solutions together as a couple.
|
