Mother and Child; Good Health Lesson 17

MOTHER AND CHILD; GOOD HEALTH LESSON 17

SIGNS THAT SHOW LABOUR IS NEAR
- A few days before labour begins, your baby moves lower in the womb
- Frequent urination; Now that baby's head lies closer to your bladder, you may need to go to the bathroom more often
- Low backache; As baby gets heavier and drops in the womb getting ready for birth, you may feel ache in your lower back 
- The start of pre-birth contractions (a sudden tightening of the womb) may begin several days before childbirth.They are called Braxton-Hicks contractions
- A small amount of blood-stained sticky mucous is passed from the birth canal (the vagina). This is known as 'the show'
- The gushing of waters from the vagina. This is caused by a break in the sac in which your baby has been lying for the past nine months in the womb. Often the waters may break just before the baby is born.

LABOUR TAKES PLACE


When the contractions of the womb become strong and regular, labour has begun.
Make sure you contact your Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse. You should go to Hospital (make sure you have your bag ready and packed before you go). Your bag can be readied within the last few months before childbirth, and can contain;
For Mom; nighties, underwear, breastfeeding pads, toiletries, something to read, maternity pads, towels
For baby; birth clothing, nappies, shawl, cap, booties, baby toiletries
Make sure you go to Hospital and contact your Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse early. Don't leave things very late or you may deliver before you are in the care of your Health Professionals.

The mother should keep her bowels and bladder empty. If they are full, they can get in the way when the baby is being born.
Labour pains are there for good reason - they gradually open the passage through which the baby is to be born.

LABOUR PAINS BECOME STRONGER
Then the mother gets the urge to push the baby out. During this stage, the contractions (labour pains) are much stronger. The mother helps by pushing down when the Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse tells her to do so. When the birth opening of the mother has stretched enough, the baby's head appears. If all goes well, baby's body follows within a few minutes. The baby's body is still attached to the cord, through which it was fed while in the womb.

Then the afterbirth (placenta) comes out. After the baby is born and can live on its own, the afterbirth is no longer needed. It will come out by itself after a short while. The afterbirth is the dark and spongy lining inside the womb which joined the baby to the mother's body. This needs to come out properly, with no pieces left behind to cause problems later. Again, it is important for the Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse to check that the afterbirth has come away properly. The Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse will also ensure that the cord is tied and cut at the correct time and the baby is then free from its mother. It is very important that the cord is properly and sterilely cut and not too close to the baby's body. It is best for the Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse to do this, to make sure it is done properly. 

SIGNS WHEN A PREGNANT MOTHER SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT HER DOCTOR AND MIDWIFE/MATERNITY NURSE
- If the mother begins to bleed before labour
- If the mother experiences problems during the pregnancy resulting in headaches, dizziness, severe vomitting, bad eye-sight and swollen hands, feet and face
- If there has been trouble and bleeding with other births
- If the woman has some illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes or epilepsy

TWINS OR MORE BABIES
-It is important for a mother who is carrying twins or more babies in her womb to consult her Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse, and to make sure she contacts them as soon as the birth process begins

CAESAREAN SECTION
If there are any problems with the birth, your Doctor and Midwife/Maternity Nurse may suggest a Caesarian Section. This means that the mother is taken into Theatre and an incision (cut) is made through her abdomen into her uterus, and her baby safely lifted out. This wonderful procedure has saved many mothers' and babies' lives. 

*Disclaimer; Please note that the information on this Health Post is not meant to replace your Doctor or Health Professional care