Labor and Delivery Process

Labor and Delivery

• Stages of Labor:
  • Stage 1: Onset of contractions to 4-5 cm dilation
  • Stage 2: 4-5 cm dilation to birth of the baby
  • Stage 3: Delivery of the placenta
• Fetal Monitoring:
  • Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM): continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate
  • Intermittent Auscultation (IA): periodic checking of fetal heart rate
• Pain Management:
  • Breathing techniques and relaxation
  • Pharmacological methods (e.g., epidural anesthesia)
  • Alternative methods (e.g., hydrotherapy, massage)
• Complications:
  • Prolonged labor
  • Fetal distress
  • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)

Neonatal Nursing

• Newborn Assessment:
  • Apgar score (0-10)
  • Vital signs (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate)
  • Physical examination (e.g., weight, length, head circumference)
• Newborn Care:
  • Initial care (e.g., drying, warming, umbilical cord care)
  • Feeding (breastfeeding, formula feeding)
  • Vital sign monitoring
• Neonatal Complications:
  • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS)
  • Jaundice
  • Infections (e.g., sepsis, meningitis)

Antenatal Care

• Prenatal Visits:
  • Schedule: every 4-6 weeks until 28 weeks, every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks, and weekly thereafter
  • Components: medical history, physical examination, fetal assessment, education
• Prenatal Screening:
  • Ultrasound (anatomy, growth, and well-being)
  • Maternal serum screening (e.g., alpha-fetoprotein)
  • Group B strep screening
• Antenatal Education:
  • Childbirth preparation
  • Breastfeeding
  • Postpartum care and newborn care

Postpartum Care

• Postpartum Period:
  • Immediate postpartum period (0-2 hours)
  • Early postpartum period (2-4 hours)
  • Late postpartum period (4-6 weeks)
• Postpartum Complications:
  • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)
  • Infections (e.g., endometritis, wound infections)
  • Thrombophlebitis
• Postpartum Care:
  • Vital sign monitoring
  • Pain management
  • Breastfeeding support

Labor and Delivery

• Stages of Labor:
  • Onset of contractions to 4-5 cm dilation is the first stage of labor
  • The second stage of labor lasts from 4-5 cm dilation to birth of the baby
  • The third stage of labor is the delivery of the placenta
• Fetal Monitoring Methods:
  • Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) continuously monitors fetal heart rate
  • Intermittent Auscultation (IA) periodically checks fetal heart rate
• Pain Management Options:
  • Breathing techniques and relaxation are non-pharmacological methods
  • Pharmacological methods include epidural anesthesia
  • Alternative methods include hydrotherapy and massage
• Possible Complications:
  • Prolonged labor can lead to complications
  • Fetal distress can occur during labor
  • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a possible complication after delivery

Neonatal Nursing

• Newborn Assessment:
  • Apgar score ranges from 0 to 10
  • Vital signs include temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate
  • Physical examination includes weight, length, and head circumference
• Newborn Care:
  • Initial care includes drying, warming, and umbilical cord care
  • Feeding options include breastfeeding and formula feeding
  • Vital signs are monitored regularly
• Neonatal Complications:
  • Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) can occur in newborns
  • Jaundice is a common complication in newborns
  • Infections, such as sepsis and meningitis, can occur in newborns

Antenatal Care

• Prenatal Visit Schedule:
  • Visits occur every 4-6 weeks until 28 weeks
  • Visits occur every 2-3 weeks until 36 weeks
  • Visits occur weekly thereafter
• Prenatal Screening:
  • Ultrasound assesses anatomy, growth, and well-being
  • Maternal serum screening includes alpha-fetoprotein
  • Group B strep screening is performed
• Antenatal Education:
  • Childbirth preparation is an essential component
  • Breastfeeding education is provided
  • Postpartum care and newborn care are discussed

Postpartum Care

• Postpartum Period:
  • The immediate postpartum period lasts 0-2 hours
  • The early postpartum period lasts 2-4 hours
  • The late postpartum period lasts 4-6 weeks
• Postpartum Complications:
  • Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) can occur
  • Infections, such as endometritis and wound infections, can occur
  • Thrombophlebitis is a possible complication
• Postpartum Care:
  • Vital signs are monitored regularly
  • Pain management is provided
  • Breastfeeding support is offered