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发帖数: 6149 | 1 我是个懒妈，觉得下面的临产常识基本够用了。分享下。
========== Call your caregiver if:
you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than
slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around
your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if
have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or
blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a
temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or
nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called
preeclampsia.
========== Signs of labor
There's no way to predict when labor is going to start. Your body actually
starts "preparing" for labor up to a month before you give birth. You may be
blissfully unaware of what's going on or you may begin to notice new
symptoms as your due date draws near. Here are some things that may happen
in the weeks or days before labor starts:
* Your baby drops. If this is your first pregnancy, you may feel what's
known as "lightening" a few weeks before labor starts as your baby descends
lower into your pelvis. You might detect a heaviness in your pelvis as this
happens and notice less pressure just below your ribcage, making it easier
to catch your breath.
* You note an uptick in Braxton Hicks contractions. More frequent and
intense Braxton Hicks contractions can signal pre-labor, during which your
cervix ripens and the stage is set for true labor. Some women experience a
crampy, menstrual-like feeling during this time.
* You pass your mucus plug. The mucus plug is the small amount of thickened
mucus that blocks the cervical canal leading to your uterus. The plug may
come out all at once in a lump, or as increased vaginal discharge over the
course of several days. The mucus may be tinged with blood (which may be
brown, pink, or red), in which case it may be referred to as "bloody show."
* Your water breaks. Most women start having regular contractions sometime
before their water breaks, but in some cases, the water breaks first. When
this happens, labor usually follows soon. (If contractions don't start
promptly on their own, you'll be induced.) Whether the amniotic fluid comes
out in a large gush or a small trickle, call your doctor or midwife.
========== Arriving at the hospital
Q1.How can I prepare for my arrival at the hospital?
Long before you go into labor, you and your partner should map out the most
direct route to the hospital or birth center. Find out where to park,
keeping in mind that you'll be leaving your car for at least 24 hours. Ask
the hospital staff where you should enter if you arrive after-hours. Most
hospitals offer tours of the obstetrical floor at designated times. Taking
advantage of these tours will give you a chance to do a dry run before the
big day.
Q2.What should I do when I get to the hospital?
If you've pre-registered, you should follow the instructions you've been
given, which probably include breezing right by the front desk and going
directly to the maternity ward. If you haven't pre-registered, you can
probably still head directly to the maternity ward. There's usually a check-
in desk once you get there. The staff there will help you deal with any
necessary paperwork.
A nurse may lead you directly to a birthing room and pair you with a labor
and delivery nurse. If it's not clear that you're in active labor or need to
be admitted for other reasons, she'll most likely bring you to an exam room
first. Your caregiver will evaluate you there to see if you're ready to be
admitted.
The nurse will ask you for a urine sample and have you change your clothes.
Then she'll check your vital signs and ask when your contractions started
and how far apart they are, whether your water's broken, and whether you've
had any vaginal bleeding. She'll also want to know if your baby's been
moving, if you've recently had anything to eat or drink, and how you're
coping with the pain.
Your caregiver will check the frequency and duration of your contractions as
well as your baby's heart rate. Then she'll perform an abdominal and
vaginal exam. If it looks like you're not in labor or are still in early
labor— and everything is okay with you and your baby — you'll probably be
sent home until your labor is further along. Otherwise, you'll be admitted.
Q3.What will happen once I'm admitted?
The nurse or your caregiver may ask if you have a birth plan. Even if you
don't have a written plan, share your needs and preferences with the staff,
including your feelings about using pain medication during labor.
Then you'll have blood drawn (to find out your blood type among other things
) and an IV may be started. You'll definitely need an IV to get antibiotics
if you test positive for Group B strep, for hydration if you can't keep
fluids down, if you want a spinal or an epidural, if you need oxytocin (
Pitocin), or if you have any health problems or pregnancy complications.
Your nurse or caregiver should also orient you, showing you where everything
is in your room and where your partner can get ice for you. Don't be shy
about requesting things you might need, like a rocking chair, a cool
washcloth, or another blanket, or asking any lingering questions you might
have. And if you're going to have continuous electronic fetal monitoring and
are interested in how it works, ask her to explain which lines on the strip
show your contractions and which show the heartbeat, and let her know if
you'd prefer the volume on the machine to be turned up or down.
========== The stages of labor
For first-time moms, labor takes an average of 15 hours, though it's not
uncommon to last more than 20. (For women who've previously had a vaginal
birth, it takes eight hours, on average.) The process of labor and birth is
divided into three main stages. Here are the highlights on how childbirth
progresses:
First stage The first stage begins when you start having contractions that
progressively dilate and efface your cervix and it ends when your cervix is
fully dilated. This stage is divided into two phases, early and active labor.
It can be tricky to determine exactly when early labor starts. That's
because early labor contractions are sometimes hard to distinguish from the
inefficient Braxton Hicks contractions that you may have been feeling for
some time.
Unless there are complications or your midwife or doctor has advised you
otherwise, expect to sit out most of your early labor at home. (Be sure,
though, to check in with your caregiver to make certain.)
Early labor ends when your cervix is about 4 centimeters dilated and your
progress starts to speed up. At this point, you enter what's known as the
active phase of labor. Your contractions become more frequent, longer, and
stronger.
The last part of the active phase — when your cervix dilates from 8 to 10
centimeters — is called the transition period because it marks the
transition to the second stage of labor. This is the most intense part of
the first stage, with contractions that are usually very strong, coming
about every two and a half to three minutes and lasting a minute or more.
Second stage Once your cervix is fully dilated, the second stage of labor
begins: the final descent and birth of your baby. This is the "pushing"
stage of labor, and it can last anywhere from minutes to a few hours. (It's
likely to be quicker if you've previously given birth vaginally.)
Your baby's head will continue to advance with each push until it "crowns"
— the term used to describe the time when the widest part of your baby's
head is finally visible. After your baby's head comes out, your midwife or
doctor will suction his mouth and nose, and feel around his neck for the
umbilical cord.
His head then turns to the side as his shoulders rotate inside the pelvis to
get into position for their exit. With the next contraction, you'll be
coached to push as his shoulders deliver, one at a time, followed by the
rest of his body.
You may feel a wide range of emotions now: euphoria, awe, pride, disbelief,
excitement (to name a few), and, of course, intense relief that it's all
over. Exhausted as you may be, you'll also probably feel a burst of energy,
and any thoughts of sleep will vanish for the time being.
Stage three The final stage of labor begins immediately after the birth of
your baby and ends with the delivery of your placenta. The contractions in
the third stage are relatively mild.
========== induce labor
If your labor doesn't start on its own, your practitioner can use certain
medications and techniques to help bring on or "induce" contractions. She'll
do this when the risks of prolonging your pregnancy are higher than the
risks of induction. Most practitioners will induce labor if you're still
pregnant between one and two weeks after your due date. This is because the
placenta may become less effective at delivering nutrients at around 42
weeks, and other serious complications become more likely as you pass your
due date.
There are a variety of methods, and the one your practitioner uses will
depend on your individual situation — in part, on the condition of your
cervix (whether it's ripe or not) and the urgency of the induction.
Typically, if you need to be induced but your cervix is not yet dilated or
thinned out, you'll be admitted to the hospital and your caregiver will
likely start off the induction by inserting medication that contains
prostaglandins into your vagina. This medication helps to ripen the cervix
and may also stimulate enough contractions to start your labor.
If the prostaglandins don't put you into labor, your caregiver will then
administer a drug called Pitocin (also known as oxytocin). It's given
through an IV and used to start labor or augment contractions you've been
having on your own. (If your cervix is ripe to begin with, she'll start with
the Pitocin straightaway.)
========== C-sections
Q1.What are my chances of having a c-section?
About 30 percent of pregnant women in the United States give birth by
cesarean section these days. In certain cases the surgery is scheduled in
advance. In others, it's done in response to an unforeseen complication.
Q2.Why might I need a c-section?
You may have an unplanned cesarean delivery for many reasons, such as if
your cervix stops dilating, your baby stops progressing down the birth canal
, or your baby's heart-rate gives your practitioner cause for concern. A
planned cesarean may be recommended if:
You've had a previous cesarean with a "classical" vertical uterine incision
or more than one previous c-section. (If you've had only one previous c-
section with a horizontal incision, you may be a good candidate for a
vaginal birth after cesarean, or VBAC.)
You've had some other kind of invasive uterine surgery, such as a myomectomy
(the surgical removal of fibroids).
You're carrying more than one baby. (Some twins can be delivered vaginally,
but all higher-order multiples require a c-section.)
Your baby is expected to be very large (a condition known as macrosomia).
Your baby is in a breech (bottom first) or transverse (sideways) position. (
In some cases, such as a twin pregnancy in which the first baby is head down
but the second baby is breech, the breech baby may be delivered vaginally.)
You have placenta previa (when the placenta is so low in the uterus that it
covers the cervix).
The baby has a known illness or abnormality that would make a vaginal birth
risky.
You're HIV-positive, and blood tests done near the end of pregnancy show
that you have a high viral load.
Q3.What should I expect during a c-section?
Typically, your partner can be with you during the surgery. If you don't
already have one, your medical team will start an IV and insert a catheter
to drain urine during the procedure, and you'll be given an epidural or
spinal block, which will numb the lower half of your body but leave you
alert and awake. A screen will be put up so you don't have to watch the
actual procedure. Once the doctor reaches the uterus and makes the final
incision, she'll ease the baby out, lifting him so you get a glimpse of him
before he's handed off to be cared for by a pediatrician or nurse. While the
staff is examining your baby, the doctor will deliver your placenta and
stitch you back up. When your baby has been examined, the pediatrician or
nurse may hand him to your partner, who can hold him right next to you so
you can nuzzle and kiss him while you're being stitched up. Closing your
uterus and belly takes a lot longer, than opening you up. This part of the
surgery usually takes about 30 minutes. When the surgery is completed, you'
ll be wheeled into a recovery room, where you'll be able to hold your baby
and breastfeed if you want to.
========== Breastfeeding
* Insist that you and your baby have skin-to-skin contact immediately after
birth (unless either of you has a medical complication) so you can start
breastfeeding as soon as possible. If you have a c-section, ask that your
baby join you in the recovery room as soon as your surgery is done.
* Realize that nursing doesn't come naturally to every woman, and if you're
feeling discouraged, you're not alone. Get help early while you're still at
the hospital or birth center to make sure you and your baby get the hang of
breastfeeding before you go home.
* Nurse your newborn frequently — eight to 12 times every 24 hours. And
unless medically necessary, your baby shouldn't get anything but breast milk
until breastfeeding is well established (for the first few weeks at least).
========== How your body changes after giving birth
* You'll start losing weight right away. While you probably won't return to
your pre-pregnancy weight for some time, most women are about 12 pounds
lighter after delivering one 7- to 9-pound baby and losing another pound or
two of placenta and another two pounds or so of blood and amniotic fluid.
Although it will take a while for your body to regain its pre-pregnancy
shape — that pregnant belly may stick around for longer than you'd like —
by the end of the first week, you'll probably have lost about 4 pounds of
water weight.
* You'll have lochia discharge. After your baby is born, the cells that form
the lining of your uterus will begin to slough off. This results in a
discharge called lochia that lasts for weeks. At first, this discharge is
mixed with blood, so it appears bright red and menstrual-like, then it
gradually gets lighter in color, finally fading to white or yellow before it
stops.
* Your emotions will be in flux. Within the first week or two of giving
birth, many new moms experience the "baby blues." You may find yourself
moody and weepy, exhausted, unable to sleep, or feeling trapped or anxious.
Your appetite can change, too — you might want to eat more or less. The
good news is this emotional upheaval will generally pass within two to three
weeks.
========== Call your caregiver if:
* You have signs of abnormal vaginal bleeding, such as soaking more than one
sanitary pad in an hour, passing blood clots bigger than a golf ball, or
bright red bleeding that occurs four days or more after you give birth. You
may have what's called a delayed postpartum hemorrhage. (Note: Call 911 if
you're bleeding profusely or if you have any signs of shock, including
lightheadedness, weakness, rapid heartbeat or palpitations, rapid or shallow
breathing, clammy skin, restlessness, or confusion.)
* You have signs of infection, which may include any fever; lower abdominal
pain or foul-smelling discharge (signs of endometritis); difficulty
urinating, painful urination, cloudy or bloody urine (signs of a urinary
tract infection); redness, tenderness, discharge, or swelling around the
site of a wound (such as a c-section incision, episiotomy, or laceration); a
painful, hard, reddened area, usually only on one breast, and fever, chills
, muscle aches or fatigue, and possibly a headache (signs of mastitis, a
breast infection).
* You have signs of postpartum depression, such as being unable to sleep
even when your baby sleeps, having any thoughts of harming your child,
crying all day long for several days in a row, or having panic attacks.
========== How to recover more quickly:
* Get as much rest as you can, and make an effort to sleep when your baby
sleeps. This can be tough advice to follow, especially during the day, but
it really helps.
* Limit visitors and the time you spend with them. Consider turning off the
phone and posting a "we're napping" message on your door to discourage drop-
ins.
* Eat a well-balanced diet.
* Drink plenty of fluids. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugared sodas.
* Accept all offers for help with cooking, cleaning, childcare, errands, and
the like. If you aren't receiving offers, ask for help. It's hard, but
trust us, your friends and family want to help and most will be honored you
asked. If you can't get help for free, consider hiring a mother's helper,
cleaning lady, or others who can give you a break.
* Don't isolate yourself. Talking to friends, relatives, and other new moms
about your birth experience and life with a newborn can help you cope. | q**y
发帖数: 251 | | g*****r
发帖数: 747 | | s***y
发帖数: 302 | 4 THANKS
around
【在 s*********e 的大作中提到】
: 我是个懒妈，觉得下面的临产常识基本够用了。分享下。
: ========== Call your caregiver if:
: you notice excessive or sudden swelling of your feet or ankles, more than
: slight swelling of your hands, any swelling in your face or puffiness around
: your eyes, or have a sudden weight gain. Also let her know immediately if
: have severe or persistent headaches; visual changes (such as double or
: blurred vision, seeing spots or flashing lights, light sensitivity, or a
: temporary loss of vision), intense upper abdominal pain or tenderness, or
: nausea and vomiting. These are symptoms of a serious condition called
: preeclampsia.
| l*******n
发帖数: 1194 | |
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