Contents
Labor and Birth.......................................................................................... 1 – 32
A Healthy Pregnancy............................................................................................................................................................ 2 Your Body in Pregnancy...................................................................................................................................................... 3 Preparing for Labor.............................................................................................................................................................. 4 When Will Labor Begin?..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Labor and Birth: An Overview........................................................................................................................................... 6 First Stage Labor.................................................................................................................................................................... 7 First Stage: Early Labor........................................................................................................................................................ 8 First Stage: Active Labor..................................................................................................................................................... 9 First Stage: Transition........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Second Stage: Pushing.............................................................................................................................................. 11 – 12 Third Stage: Placenta......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Cardinal Movements......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Your Labor Guide......................................................................................................................................................... 15 – 16 Medical Interventions................................................................................................................................................ 17 – 20 Labor Induction................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Induction Methods..................................................................................................................................................... 22 – 23 Preparing for the Unexpected....................................................................................................................................... 24 Labor Variations........................................................................................................................................................... 25 – 27 Fetal Position........................................................................................................................................................................ 28 Cesarean Section......................................................................................................................................................... 29 – 30 Vaginal Birth After Cesarean( VBAC)........................................................................................................................... 31 Minimizing Risk................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Comfort Measures.................................................................................. 33 – 51
Support for Labor................................................................................................................................................................ 34 Doula Support...................................................................................................................................................................... 35 Understanding Your Body................................................................................................................................................ 36 Relaxation............................................................................................................................................................................... 37 The Labor Environment..................................................................................................................................................... 38 Fear and Safety Cycles....................................................................................................................................................... 39 Dispelling Fears............................................................................................................................................................ 40 – 41