Your Complete Guide to Child Birth

 

Childbirth is when pregnancy ends, and babies are delivered vaginally or by cesarean section. In most developed countries, deliveries occur in hospitals while in the developing world, many births take place at home with the support of a traditional birth attendant, who is also referred to as a doula.

A childbirth class involves teaching about the signs of labor, stages of labour, pain management during labor, stages of childbirth and possible complications. This guide covers everything from the process of fertilization to the end, where we discuss the aftercare of the mother post-birth.

Fertilization

The existence of any form of life is extremely fascinating to humans. Every living being on this planet is a result of sexual reproduction, which means, it is by the fusion of the male sperm and female egg. Fertilization occurs when a sperm fuses with an egg during intercourse which further develops and gets implanted in the uterus.

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The sperm basically travels through the fallopian tubes where it fuses with the female gamete which is the egg to form a zygote. This zygote keeps on taking nutrition from the parent body and grows into the embryo and gets implanted in the uterus, which results in pregnancy. This is the basic process of fertilization.

Labour

The embryo develops in the uterus over the course of 9 months or 40 weeks. After the embryo is a full-grown baby, and is ready to come out, the mother starts entering the first stage of labor which is dilation. Dilation can take place at varying time periods. With uterine contractions, the pain intensifies for the mother. As labor progresses, these contractions become more intense and will increase in frequency till the cervix has achieved 10cm dilation. First-time mothers usually take long to achieve full dilation.

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The second stage is the expulsion, which is when the cervix is fully dilated by the force of involuntary uterine contractions. The mother begins pushing and try to contract their abdominal muscles. The child passes through the birthing canal. The terminal phase of this stage is when the child’s head distends, and maternal tissues are dilated.

The third stage is the placental stage. After the delivery, the site where the placenta is attached becomes diminishingly small with the hope that the placenta detaches itself. After a few contractions the placenta is forced into the vagina from which is it expelled by bearing-down efforts.

After Care

Immediately after the birth, the child is kept on the chest of the mother for a skin-to-skin contact, while doctors examine if the patient has tears in the vaginal wall which might need stitching. At this point women may feel elated, exhausted, emotionally drained, or all at once which is completely normal after birthing.

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The perineum might be swollen for the next 24 hours after delivery. The mother can try to bring this under control by using the rice technique which is: -

R- Rest to help reduce pain and swelling

I-Apply ice pack every 2-4 hours to reduce the swelling

C-Compression wearing firm fitted underwear and 2-3 maternity pads for support

E- exercise, within the first few days.

Now that you are a parent to a gorgeous baby. Be sure to visit the best pediatrician in Hyderabad to get an overall checkup done for the baby and get all doses of vaccinations.  

Also, Read - BABY IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

Know About the Various Tubectomy Techniques

 

 

Tubectomy or Tubal Ligation or Tubal Sterilization is a method of female sterilization where the fallopian tubes are either clipped, removed, or blocked. This is performed to prevent the eggs from getting fertilized by the sperm so that they cannot be implanted in fertilized form, into the uterus.

It is one of the most common surgical methods for birth control opted for by women. There are several techniques of tubal ligation used. Here is a synopsis of each of them for a better understanding.

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The Types of Tubal Sterilization

Fibroidectomy: A part of the fallopian tube that lies closest to the ovary is taken out. Once this is done, the tube is no longer able to collect eggs from the ovary and pass them down to the uterus. The advantage of this procedure is that it is reversible. The remaining part of the tube can always be opened in case the woman wishes to conceive again. The success rate is however low and therefore it is an uncommon method to consider.

Monopolar Coagulation: Monopolar coagulation is a method that used electric current flow for cauterizing the fallopian tube. It is also not that common because of low success rates. Besides, the cauterizing process ends up damaging the fallopian tube considerably.

Bipolar Coagulation: Bipolar coagulation is a considered to be the most common type of tubectomy. The basic process of cauterizing the fallopian tube remains the same here. Damage to the fallopian tube is not as much as in monopolar. Unlike monopolar where an instrument with only one electrode is used, here the instrument has two electrodes.  What makes it popular is that it is a laparoscopic method for sterilization, which many women find easier to handle.

Using a Tubal Clip or a Hulka Clip: As is evident from the name, this technique engages a clip which is used to block the fallopian tube. The clip is a stainless-steel, gold-plated device which is inserted into the abdominal cavity with the help of a clip applicator, laparoscopically. The success rate is almost 80 to 85 percent.

Using a Tubal Ring: This method uses a silastic band to block the fallopian tubes permanently. The tubes are double folded. A silastic ring is stretched on the outside of the ring applicator and is then releases laparoscopically onto the folded loop. The ring then contracts due its elastic properties and narrows down the base of the folded loop, thus blocking the passage of the fallopian tube. High success rates make this a common choice.

The Irving Procedure: In this procedure, two sutures or stitches are placed around the fallopian tube, subsequently, the tubal lining segment between the sutures is removed. In the end, the ends of the tubes are attached again to the uterus. This process is not so common.

The choice of technique can differ. It’s important to pick a maternity hospital in Delhi that has tubal ligation specialists. Prior to the procedure, a battery of tests would be carried out for ensuring that the patient does not suffer from other medical complications and does not have a history of abdominal surgery.

Many a times, tubal sterilization can be carried out right after a normal delivery or C section delivery. Your doctor will be the best judge.

How Do I Calculate the Tentative Date for the Birth of My Child?

Did you know that the longest recorded human pregnancy was of 345 days? A woman aged 25 gave birth to a healthy baby in 1945, after a pregnancy lasting a little over a year, according to an article published in New Health Guide. Normal human gestational period is 280 days or a little over 9 months. However, the gestation period may vary from one woman to another. It can both be less or more than 38 weeks.

How is the Due Date Calculated?

The pregnancy due date calculator uses the date of conception as reference for the calculation of the delivery date. However, most women do not know the exact date when they conceived. In such a case, your doctor calculates the EDD (estimated date of delivery) with reference to the first day of your last period. For women who have a normal cycle (28 days) on an average, ovulation takes place on the 14^th day, which is then followed by fertilisation, in case of pregnancy. Therefore, your doctor estimates the EDD to be 40 weeks from the first day of your last period. For women who have been tracking their ovulation, it is 38 weeks from the day of ovulation.

Another method is to deduct 3 months from the first day of your last period and then add seven days and that date is your EDD. Here is how. Let’s take an example where your last period was on June 5, then the pregnancy due date calculator will deduct 3 months, which would be March 5. Then 7 days would be added, therefore, your EDD would be March 12 of the following year.

Is the EDD Always Accurate?

The due date can be changed if your doctor estimates so. This may happen if the results of the internal examination are not in accordance with the EDD. Some of the things that are taken into account are the size of uterus and the size of the baby (which may be small or big in accordance with the term of the pregnancy so far). The EDD is also confirmed by the measurement of the fundus of the uterus as well as important milestones, such as first foetal heart beat or first foetal movement. The fundus of the uterus is known to reach the naval around 20 weeks.

Interestingly, only one in 20 women deliver on the due date calculated by pregnancy due date calculator. The baby is delivered when it is physically ready to grow outside the womb. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your EDD. 

Top Five Maternity Clothing Options

Pregnancy is a wonderful period for women. As a human life grows inside you, your body also undergoes many changes. Possibly, the most apparent change is the baby bump. Whether you want to display it or hide it, you will need to find the right maternity clothing for your needs. This is a good time to stock up on pregnancy tips, not only about clothing and what to expect from pregnancy but also how you can prepare to give your baby the best possible life.

5 Excellent Items for Maternity Clothing

1. Leggings: Leggings are a very comfortable option during pregnancy. The soft, stretchy fabric gives a streamlined look, without causing discomfort or a feeling of tightness anywhere. It is important to keep the waistband little low, off the belly, during the last trimester for greater comfort. It can be paired with a loose top or kurta and you are good to go. Make sure to check that the fabric stretches easily over the bump. 
2. Maternity Jeans: Many brands have come out with customized collections of maternity jeans. Even if one couldn't find such a collection in the neighborhood, plus size jeans can be a good replacement. A good pregnancy tip would be to avoid skinny or slim fit jeans and go for straight fit. They will be very comfortable and look good on the changing dimensions of the body. 
3. Tunic: Oversized tops that end well below the hip are a great option during pregnancy. A tunic could be paired with leggings or maternity jeans for a great look. Longer tunics can be worn as a dress, with a t-shirt underneath. Choose items with detailing on the sleeves and neckline to draw the eye away from the baby bump. Also, ensure that you select a loose fit for comfortable wear. 
4. Maxi Dress: Maxis are in these days. Bold colours and striking patterns can keep you at your trendiest even during pregnancy. Choose from empire waistlines and flowing skirts to enhance the look while remaining comfortable even if you have to wear the outfit for long hours. Choose a soft fabric that falls easily and drapes over your changing body. 
5. Long Tops: Long tops made of stretchy microfiber blends and thick straps are an excellent choice for an elegant look during pregnancy. The length of these tops cover the belly bump perfectly and also are very comfortable to wear.

While you are shopping for maternity clothing, also shop for cord blood banks and insurance options. These are possibly the most important pregnancy tips that anyone can give you.