Childbirth is the expulsion of newborn(s) from a woman's uterus, following a period of pregnancy. Full term is when childbirth usually occurs, about 39-40 weeks after conception. Early term is just before, between 37-38 weeks. Late term is just after, between 41-42 weeks. At either extremity, preterm is <37 weeks, and post dates >42 weeks. Perinatal means during birth.

Patient information

What is childbirth?
The birth of a child lol. Specifically, it's where it comes out from where it's stored in a woman, which is in her uterus.

What's a uterus?
It's also known as the womb. It's found just above the vagina (through the cervical opening). And is central, to the 2 fallopian tubes dangling on its side.

How does it take before bub pops out?
There's standard timing. It can be due before date, or after date. So standard is 40 weeks. 39-40 is considered normal. 41-42 weeks is considered late term. 37-38 is considered early term. We still consider 37-42 not too bad. But anything outside of that is considered abnormal, and we call <37 weeks preterm, and >42 weeks post dates.

Perinatal. That sounds a bit like Perry the platypus. We know that platypuses don't do much
Well mom pushes during pregnancy .

Labor is said to have "onset" when there is both:

• Regular contractions occuring less than 10 minutes apart
• Progressive cervical dilation or cervical effacement, between consecutive vaginal examinations

Signs of onset of labor may occur at any time and in any order, with some women experiencing only contractions, until well into advanced labor. Thus, these are not required to establish labor:

• Bloody show, which is a passage of a small amount of blood or blood-tinged mucus through the vagina, towards the end of pregnancy, just before labor begins. As the cervix changes shape, mucus and bleed that occupies the cervical glands or cervical os is freed. It doesn't signify increased risk tot he mother or baby, and is normal. A large bleed however, should rule out placental abruption or placenta previa
• Rupture of membranes (waters breaking)
• Onset of tightenings/contractions, that move the infant down the birth canal

It can also present with:

• Possible distress (fear, anxiety), depending on prior childbirth experience, cultural perception of childbirth and pain, mobility during labor, and support provided during labor

There are 3 stages of labor:

• 1st stage:
  • ​Latent phase (aka quiescent phase, prodromal labor, pre-labor), which begins when the woman receives uterine contractions [not including Braxton Hicks]. It ends with cervical effacement (i.e. thinning and stretching of the cervix) and cervical dilation. Degree of effacement is felt by vaginal exam, and a long cervix implies effacement hasn't occured yet
  • Active phase, which is cervical dilation of >3cm, cervical effacement >80%, more than 2 contractions in 10 minutes, or rupture of membranes. The definition by cervical dilation has been increased in some jurisdictions to increase NVD rates. The duration of the active phase ranges from 8 hours in primi's, and shorter to those who are multi's, and is considered prolonged when the cervix dilates <1.2cm/hr over the past 2 hours
• 2nd stage (aka fetal expulsion, involution stage), which begins when the cervix is fully dilated (>10cm), progresses as the baby descends, and ends when the baby is born. It is stimulated by prostaglandins and oxytocin. As pressure on the cervix increases, women have a sensation of pelvic pressure, and have an urge to push. Crowning causes an intense burning/stinging sensation. Delaying clamping the umbilical cord for >1 minute after birth is recommended as there is ability to Tx jaundice if it occurs, decreases risk of anemia, but may increase risk of jaundice. Clamping is followed by painless cutting of the cord
• 3rd stage (placenta delivery), which begins after fetal expulsion. It begins as separation of the placenta from the wall of the uterus. It usually lasts 11 minutes. Duration >30 minutes raises concern for retained placenta. Delivery en caul is where membranes are intact, which can occur when the maniotic sac hasn't ruptured during labor/pushing
• 4th stage (postnatal, postpartum), begins after child birth, extending for a bout 6 weeks. If there is an episiotomy or a perineal tear, it is stitched. The mother's hormone levels and uterus size return to it's non-pregnant state, and the newborn adjusts to life outside their mom's body. Nonetheless, afterpains (similar to menstrual cramps) and lochia (vaginal discharge after giving birth, containing blood mucus and uterine tissue, initially bright red fading to yellow/white; that is sterile in the 1st 2-3 days, but not so by the 3rd-4th day as the uterus begins to be colonized by vaginal bacteria, e.g. non-hemolytic streptococci and E coli) continues. Recommendations include skin to skin contact, and breast feeding

Vaginal delivery (aka normal vaginal delivery, NVD) is childbirth (naturally) through the vagina, used to contrast vaginal delivery [whether assisted or induced] to contrast from C-section. It thus includes:

• Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD), where labor occurs without the use of drugs or other techniques (forceps, vacuum extraction, C-section) to induce labor
• Assisted vaginal delivery (AVD), where labor [with or without drugs, or other techniques to induce labor], requires:
  • Instrumental delivery, where special instruments are used to deliver the baby vaginally, including:
    • Forceps
    • Vacuum extractor (aka ventouse)
  • Episiotomy

Caesarean section (aka C-section, C/s) is where surgical incisions are made through a mother's abdomen and uterus, to deliver newborn(s). It is performed when vaginal delivery would put the baby or mother's life or health at risk. They can be performed upon request (and is requested more frequently than necessary) and is a practice health authorities would like to reduce, as it increases bad outcomes in low risk pregnancies. It should not be performed before 39 weeks [as this is considered full term for child development] without medical indication to perform surgery. It includes:

• Lower uterine segment C-section (LSCS), the most commonly used. It involves a transverse cut just above the edge of the bladder, and results in less blood loss, and easier repair
• Classical C-section, involving a midline longitudinal incision, allowing a large space to deliver the baby, but is rarely performed as it is more prone to complications

Participation of medical managment can either be:

• Active management of labor, which results in slightly reducing C-section, but doesn't affect assisted deliveries. It is recommended in the 3rd stage of all vaginal deliveries to help prevent PPH. It involves:
  • Frequent assessment of cervical dilation
  • IOL, where if dilation doesn't occur, oxytocin is offered
  • Administering syntocinon within 1 minute of fetal delivery, controlled traction of the placenta, and uterine massage every 15 minutes for 2 hours
  • Augmentation, where oxytocin is given to speed progress of labor
• Expectant management involves watchful waiting

• Hx:
  • Waters breaking → can indicate labor will onset
  • ABC's, including vitals
• CTG, Doppler fetal monitor, even fetal scalp electrode → fetal wellbeing
• Palpating, for:
  • Presentation → assist w/ delivery
  • Uterine contraction, noting this can NOT be accurately read from the CTG
• Vaginal exam, inspecting for:
  • Pregnancy bleeding
  • Cervical dilation/effacement → progressive changes indicates labor has onset
  • Contractions → >1 in 10 indicates labor has onset

• Preparation
• Pain relief
• Support

• Onset of term labor more commonly occurs at late night or early morning, due to nocturnal increases in melatonin and oxytocin

• Menstruation
• Pregnancy (phase before childbirth)
• Labor induction (used to induce childbirth)
• Preterm (extremity)
• Post dates (extremity)
• Birthing center
• Stages of labor