Lamaze Magazine 2009

By Judith A. Lothian, RN, PHD, LCCE, FACCE and Kathryn McGrath, MSW, LSW, CD(DONA), LCCE, FACCE | | | such as breathing in a pattern or moving around, and rest in between. as the strength of your contractions increases, so does your need for support. everyone present should focus their attention solely on you. Changing positions helps you stay more comfortable and enhances progress. Your environment can influence your labor. Create peaceful, personalized surroundings with dim lights and music. | a burning, stinging, stretching sensation at the vaginal opening. as the baby’s head emerges, it turns to one side to allow the shoulders to align, then the rest of the baby’s body slips outs. Transition WHaT’S HaPPeNING | The cervix finishes dilating and effacing. | Contractions are now powerful and efficient, so this phase is usually quite short (less than an hour). | Some women feel nauseous, shaky, restless or irritable during this phase. WHaT HelPS | To keep from feeling overwhelmed, focus on one contraction at a time. | Continue with breathing, vocalization (if it helps) and rhythmic movement. | even though rest periods are short, they allow you to relax and restore yourself. | Those providing labor support should offer undivided attention, unwavering encouragement and praise. If you’re using a breathing pattern, your team should try “conducting” to help you focus or moving with you in rhythm to your breathing. WHaT HelPS | The urge to push is usually strongest at the peak of contractions, then fades. Just follow along and do what feels right. For most women, this means taking normal breaths as the contractions build and then pushing when it becomes irresistible. | It may help to make sounds (like athletes do) in response to what you’re feeling. | labor supporters should provide quiet, reassuring encouragement. | If progress is slow, change positions. Squatting, all fours and side-lying are all good options. | let go of any tension in your perineum. applying warm compresses there may help you push. | rest deeply between contractions. SEcond STAgE: The baby’s head emerges. With the next few contractions, he turns to one side and the rest of his body slips out. Third Stage recovery WHaT’S HaPPeNING | Your baby is placed on your abdomen and quickly dried. | What a mix of feelings: excitement, joy, awe and relief! | The cord is cut, and the placenta is delivered, usually in the first 30 minutes. | Cold compresses are often applied to the perineum to ease discomfort and reduce swelling. | many women get afterpains or “the shakes” after birth. WHaT HelPS | Touch, caress and cuddle your baby without time constraints. Keep him skin-to-skin with you from birth. | offer your baby your breast; breastfeeding tightens the uterus and decreases bleeding. | all routine infant procedures can be done without removing the baby from your side. request that measuring, weighing and applying eye medication be delayed for a few hours. | Second Stage Pushing WHaT’S HaPPeNING | Your body shifts from dilating to pushing. | The baby makes its way down through the pelvis and birth canal. | This phase can last from 15 minutes to several hours. | although it may take several contractions after full dilation to be noticeable, most women get an urge to bear down. The urge to push usually gets stronger as the baby descends. | many women feel more clearheaded and have a renewed sense of optimism when pushing begins. | Just before the baby is born, you may feel lamaze maGazINe 2009 13 lamaze.orG http://www.lamaze.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Lamaze Magazine 2009

Lamaze Magazine 2009 Contents Essential Lamaze for Pregnancy Making Connections Body Beautiful Birth Day, Your Way Mother Knows Best Essential Lamaze for Birth Supporting Cast Labor Day Position Statement Comfort Zone Intervention Intelligence The Waiting Game Essential Lamaze for Parenting Nursing School Reality Check Sleep Tight Unforgettable

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