Ultrasound uses sound waves to view the baby in the uterus and has been used safely for over 40 years. Two prenatal tests are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, which carry small risks of miscarriage. Birth preparation classes educate expectant mothers, while a birth plan outlines wishes. Labor has three stages: dilation of the cervix in stage 1, descent and birth in stage 2, and delivery of the placenta in stage 3. Pain management options include analgesics, anesthetics like epidurals, and assisted delivery or C-section for complicated births.

1. The Birth
Process
Chapter 4

5. Ultrasound uses high
frequency sound waves to
view the baby while it is still
developing inside the uterus.
It has been used for over 40
years and is fairly safe for
both mother and baby.
Ultrasound

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Prenatal Care
Amniocentesis and
Chorionic Villus Sampling

7. Amniocentesis
• A sample of the fluid around
the baby is collected and
analyzed for chromosomal
defects
• Risk is minimal, however there
is a risk of miscarriage.
Especially if the mother exerts
herself soon after the
procedure.

8. Chorionic Villus Sampling
• Similar to Amniocentesis, however instead of fluid, a sample of the placenta is taken and analyzed
• Can be performed earlier in pregnancy than amniocentesis
• Minimal risk but some chance of miscarriage because of the invasive nature of the procedure

9. Birth
Birth preparation classes: courses designed to
increase the confidence of women in their ability to
give birth and to educate them on coping strategies
for childbirth
Birth plan: a written outline of parents’ wishes for
labor and birth, intended to help health care
providers know what parents want and expect

11. The Place of Childbirth: Home or Hospital?
Birth center: facilities typically
established in or near conventional labor
wards for the care of pregnant women
who require little or no medical
intervention during birth
Homelike environment
Staffed by midwives or nurse-midwives

12. Natural Childbirth and the Role of the Doula
Natural childbirth: childbirth that takes place without
the use of anesthetics or other interventions
Water birth: method in which the mother sits in a tub
of warm water and gives birth; believed to be less
painful and more relaxing
Doula: a nonmedical professional who provides
women with physical and emotional assistance before,
during, or after childbirth

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Birth and the Newborn
The Stages of
Childbirth

17. Stages of Labor
Oxytocin: a hormome secreted by the pituitary gland
that stimulates the uterus to contract
Stage 1 - Dilation: begins with the start of regular
contractions and ends when the cervix is completely
open
Lasts about 6 – 12 hours for first births and 6 – 7 hours for
subsequent births
Transition: the most painful phase of stage 1 labor lasting
between 30 minutes to an hour or two

18. What is a contraction?
Labor contractions are the periodic tightening and relaxing
of the uterine muscle, the largest muscle in a woman's
body. Something triggers the pituitary gland to release a
hormone called oxytocin that stimulates the uterine
tightening. It is difficult to predict when true labor
contractions will begin.
Contractions are often described as a cramping or
tightening sensation that starts in the back and moves
around to the front in a wave-like manner.

20. Stage 2 – Descent and Birth
This begins when the cervix is completely dilated
and ends when the baby is born
Contractions produce the urge to push, which helps
the baby descend though the birth canal
May last from 10 minutes to several hours

21. Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Dilation Descent and Birth Delivery of Placenta

22. Used to induce labor or to speed up delivery
Can make contractions more intense and
uncomfortable
Prostin gel, Prepidil gel, and Cervidil
Pitocin and Misoprostol

23. Pain Medications
Analgesics: drugs used to relieve pain and
promote relaxation
Anesthetics: drugs that block sensation
General anesthetics: drugs causing total loss of
both sensation and consciousness; are rarely used
Epidural anesthesia: local anesthetic that blocks
sensation to only part of the body

25. Assisted vaginal delivery: delivery done when spontaneous
vaginal delivery is not possible. Forceps and vacuum extraction
are the most common forms. Also called instrumental delivery.

26. Stage 3 – Placenta
Placenta is most of the life
support systems that the baby
used for 9 months.
the placenta comes out of the
uterus, after the baby has been
born, and this can happen with
the next couple of contractions
or take an hour or more.
Also referred to as the afterbirth

27. Caesarian
Baby removed from uterus through
incision in abdomen when
Baby is in breech or crosswise
position
Head too large for mother’s pelvis
Vaginal bleeding has occurred in
pregnancy
29.1% of U.S. births are C-sections