ending of pregnancy where one or more babies leaves a woman's uterus by passing through the vagina or by Caesarean section. is the birth of offspring through the vagina. Most babies are born head first; however about 4% are born feet or buttock first, known as breech. Typically the heads enter the pelvis facing to one side, and then rotate to face down. During labor, a woman can generally eat and move around as she likes. Stage One During the first stage, the woman reaches full cervical dilatation. This begins when contractions start, and it is the longest stage of labor. The first stage is divided into three phases: latent, active, and transition.
In the latent phase, contractions occur more often, become
stronger, and become more regular. During this phase the cervix thins. This is called effacement. The latent phase varies from woman to woman and from labor to labor. It may take a few days or be as short as a few hours. The latent phase tends to be 10 to 12 hours for a woman who has had children. For first pregnancies, it may last closer to 20 hours. Many women confuse the latent phase of labor with Braxton Hicks contractions. Membranes may rupture in the early- to mid-portion of the first stage of labor. If they rupture, the labor process often speeds up. The next portion of the first stage of labor is the active phase. During this phase, the cervix dilates rapidly. For most women, dilation goes from 3 to 4 centimeters to 8 to 9 centimeters. The active phase is the most predictable, lasting an average of 5 hours in first-time mothers and 2 hours in mothers who have given birth before. Finally, there is the transition phase. During this phase, the cervix dilation continues to dilate, but at a slower pace, until fully dilated. In some women, the transition phase is not really noticeable, blending into the active phase. This is also a phase of more rapid descent, when the baby is passing lower into the pelvis and deeper into the birth canal. In mothers with no anesthesia, nausea, vomiting and uncontrollable shaking may occur. These symptoms can be frightening to watch and experience, but they're a part of normal birth. They signal that the first stage is almost completed. Stage Two The second stage is the delivery of the infant. During the second stage, mom actively pushes out the baby. For first-time mothers, this can take 2 to 3 hours, so it's important to save your energy and pace yourself. For second babies and beyond, the second stage often lasts less than an hour -- and sometimes, only a few minutes. If you have an epidural anesthetic, the second stage may require more time. Stage Three
The third stage of labor is the passage of the
placenta. This may occur right away, or take up to 30 minutes. The process may be sped up naturally by breastfeeding (which releases oxytocin), or medically by administering a drug called pitocin. When your baby's head is almost ready to come out, your midwife will ask you to stop pushing and do some short breaths, blowing out through your mouth. This is so the head can be born slowly and gently, giving the skin and muscles of the area between your vagina and anus (the perineum) time to stretch. Sometimes your midwife or doctor will suggest an episiotomy to avoid a tear or to speed up delivery. This is a small cut made to the perineum. You'll be given a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area first. Once your baby is born, the cut or any large tears will be stitched up. Find out about your body after the birth, including how to deal with stitches. Once your baby's head is born, most of the hard work is over. The rest of the body is usually born during the next one or two contractions. You'll usually be able to hold your baby straight away and enjoy some skin-to-skin time together. You can breastfeed your baby as soon after birth as you like. Ideally, your baby will have their first feed within one hour of the birth. Cesarean delivery (C-section) is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus.
A C-section might be planned ahead of time if you
develop pregnancy complications or you've had a previous C-section and aren't considering a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Often, however, the need for a first-time C-section doesn't become obvious until labor is underway. If you're pregnant, knowing what to expect during a C-section — both during the procedure and afterward — can help you prepare. Sometimes a C-section is safer for you or your baby than is a vaginal delivery. Your health care provider might recommend a C- section if:
1. Your labor isn't progressing. Stalled labor is
one of the most common reasons for a C- section. Stalled labor might occur if your cervix isn't opening enough despite strong contractions over several hours. 2. Your baby is in distress. If your health care provider is concerned about changes in your baby's heartbeat, a C-section might be the best option.
3. Your baby or babies are in an abnormal
position. A C-section might be the safest way to deliver the baby if his or her feet or buttocks enter the birth canal first (breech) or the baby is positioned side or shoulder first (transverse). 4. You're carrying multiples. A C-section might be needed if you're carrying twins and the leading baby is in an abnormal position or if you have triplets or more babies.
5. There's a problem with your placenta. If the
placenta covers the opening of your cervix (placenta previa), a C-section is recommended for delivery. 6. Prolapsed umbilical cord. A C-section might be recommended if a loop of umbilical cord slips through your cervix ahead of your baby.
7. You have a health concern. A C-section
might be recommended if you have a severe health problem, such as a heart or brain condition. A C-section is also recommended if you have an active genital herpes infection at the time of labor. 8. Mechanical obstruction. You might need a C- section if you have a large fibroid obstructing the birth canal, a severely displaced pelvic fracture or your baby has a condition that can cause the head to be unusually large (severe hydrocephalus). 9. You've had a previous C-section. Depending on the type of uterine incision and other factors, it's often possible to attempt a VBAC. In some cases, however, your health care provider might recommend a repeat C-section. Like other types of major surgery, C-sections also carry risks.
Risks to your baby include:
Breathing problems. Babies born by scheduled C-
section are more likely to develop transient tachypnea — a breathing problem marked by abnormally fast breathing during the first few days after birth.
Surgical injury. Although rare, accidental nicks to the
baby's skin can occur during surgery. Infection. Blood clots. Postpartum Wound hemorrhage. infection. Reactions to Surgical injury. anesthesia. Increased risks during future pregnancies. You can give birth at home, in a unit run by midwives (a midwifery unit or birth centre) or in hospital. Your options about where to have your baby will depend on your needs, risks and, to some extent, on where you live. If you're healthy and have no complications ("low risk") you could consider any of these birth locations. For women with some medical conditions, it's safest to give birth in hospital, where specialists are available. This is in case you need treatment during labor. Women who give birth at home or in a unit run by midwives are less likely to need assistance such as forceps or ventouse (sometimes called instrumental delivery).
Wherever you choose, the place should feel
right for you. You can change your mind at any point in your pregnancy. If you have a straightforward pregnancy, and both you and the baby are well, you might choose to give birth at home.
But for women having their first baby, home
birth slightly increases the risk of serious problems for the baby – including death or issues that might affect the baby's quality of life – from 5 in 1,000 for a hospital birth to 9 in 1,000 for a home birth. Midwifery units or birth centers are more comfortable and homely than a maternity unit in a hospital. They can be:
part of a hospital maternity unit, where pregnancy
(obstetric), newborn (neonatal) and anaesthetic care is available
separate from a hospital, and without immediate
obstetric, neonatal or anaesthetic care If you choose to give birth in hospital, you'll be looked after by midwives, but doctors will be available if you need their help.
You'll still have choices about the kind of care
you want. Your midwives and doctors will provide information about what your hospital can offer. How bad is the pain of giving birth? This pain can be felt as strong cramping in the abdomen, groin, and back, as well as an achy feeling. Other causes of pain during labor include pressure on the bladder and bowels by the baby's head and the stretching of the birth canal and vagina. Pain during labor is different for every woman. Do you poop when giving birth? Pooping during labor sounds gross and embarrassing, and no new mom wants it to happen. But poop happens, and here's why: The muscles you use to push your baby out are the exact same ones you use to poop. So if you're pushing right, you probably are going to let something slip. In fact, most women do poop during labor. Can you die from the pain of giving birth? True, that means one percent of American women die too, but not because of pain. It's because of serious childbirth complications like infection, hemorrhage, or high blood pressure. If you're getting good prenatal care, the odds you'll die during labor are extremely small. Which is worse C section or natural birth? Women are three times more likely to die during Caesarean delivery than a vaginal birth, due mostly to blood clots, infections and complications from anesthesia, according to a French study. Once a woman has had her first C-section, she is more likely to have a C-section in her future deliveries. Which baby will born soon Boy or girl? Friends and family may point out signs of having a girl or boy, but most of these will probably be based on folklore rather than science. An ultrasound at 20 weeks into the pregnancy is the most reliable way to tell a baby's sex.
Developmental Patterns and Outcomes in Infants and Children With Disorders in Relating and Communicating - A Chart Review of 200 Cases of Children With Autistic Spectrum Diagnoses, 1997