Obstetrics and Prenatal Care

Definition and Scope

• Obstetrics is the branch of medicine that deals with the care of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
• It involves the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders related to pregnancy and childbirth.

Prenatal Care

• Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider to monitor the health of the mother and fetus
• Includes:
  • Blood tests and ultrasound examinations
  • Measurement of blood pressure and uterine size
  • Screening for potential complications
  • Education on nutrition, exercise, and pregnancy-related topics

Stages of Labor

• First stage: onset of contractions to full dilation of the cervix (average duration: 6-12 hours)
• Second stage: full dilation to delivery of the baby (average duration: 1-2 hours)
• Third stage: delivery of the placenta (average duration: 5-30 minutes)

Types of Deliveries

• Vaginal delivery: most common type, where the baby is born through the birth canal
• Cesarean section (C-section): surgical delivery, where the baby is born through an incision in the abdomen and uterus
• Instrumental delivery: use of forceps or vacuum extraction to assist in vaginal delivery

Complications of Pregnancy

• Hypertension: high blood pressure during pregnancy
• Gestational diabetes: high blood sugar levels during pregnancy
• Preeclampsia: high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys
• Placenta previa: low-lying placenta that covers the cervix
• Fetal distress: signs of fetal compromise during labor, such as abnormal heart rate

Postpartum Care

• Immediate postpartum period: first few hours after delivery, focusing on maternal and fetal bonding, and initial assessment
• Postpartum recovery: first few weeks after delivery, focusing on physical and emotional recovery
• Breastfeeding support: education and assistance with breastfeeding technique and management

Definition and Scope of Obstetrics

• Obstetrics involves care during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period, including diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of related disorders.

Prenatal Care

• Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are crucial for monitoring maternal and fetal health.
• Prenatal care includes blood tests, ultrasound examinations, blood pressure and uterine size measurements, and screening for potential complications.
• Education on nutrition, exercise, and pregnancy-related topics is also provided.

Stages of Labor

• The first stage of labor lasts around 6-12 hours, from the onset of contractions to full dilation of the cervix.
• The second stage lasts around 1-2 hours, from full dilation to delivery of the baby.
• The third stage lasts around 5-30 minutes, from delivery to delivery of the placenta.

Types of Deliveries

• Vaginal delivery is the most common type, where the baby is born through the birth canal.
• Cesarean section (C-section) is a surgical delivery, where the baby is born through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.
• Instrumental delivery involves the use of forceps or vacuum extraction to assist in vaginal delivery.

Complications of Pregnancy

• Hypertension is high blood pressure during pregnancy.
• Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
• Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys.
• Placenta previa is a low-lying placenta that covers the cervix.
• Fetal distress is signs of fetal compromise during labor, such as abnormal heart rate.

Postpartum Care

• The immediate postpartum period involves maternal and fetal bonding, and initial assessment.
• Postpartum recovery focuses on physical and emotional recovery in the first few weeks after delivery.
• Breastfeeding support includes education and assistance with technique and management.