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Birth ABC explanation: part 2
Fetal monitor
A device to monitor the heartbeat of the fetus. It works by strapping a sensor to the lower abdomen of the body that is connected to the monitoring device on the bedside table. Another sensor is strapped to mom's upper abdomen, and measures contractions. This system is known as the External Fetal Monitor, or EFM.
During birth, it is important to know that the fetus reacts well to the contractions, and that there are no decelerations in his heartbeat during a contraction or right afterwards. If there are decelerations, it can be a sign that the baby is in distress.
In a normal low-risk birth, it is not necessary to be attached to the monitor continuously.
In some cases, the external monitor doesn't register the heartbeat properly, and then it might be necessary to use an internal fetal monitor, which is attached to the scalp of the fetus. For this, the membranes must be broken (in case of need, they will break the waters manually in order to be able to attach the monitor), and monitoring will be continuous.
Go with your body
The best advice I can give ladies on how to best give birth, is that they should go with the flow. Birthing is not something that we do with our intellect, but rather with our instinct. The lady should try to switch off her mind and let her inner monkey take over, as Ina May Gaskin puts it in her book Spiritual Midwifery.
Home birth
A good option for women with a low risk is to give birth at home in stead of at a hospital. Research says that if the pregnancy and birth are low risk, a home birth is at least as safe as a hospital birth as long as it's attended by a skilled midwife. Click here to read more.
Ice chips
Munching on ice chips is a great way to stay refreshed during labor.
Jacuzzi
Spending your labor in a jacuzzi or a big bath tub is a great way to relief much of the pains. Recent research says that laboring and giving birth in the water are good for mother and baby. Click to read more.
Click here to continue.
To subscribe this blog, click here.
For the whole birth ABC, click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 1. Click here.
Technorati Tags: fetal monitor, monitor, EFM, birth, contractions, baby, fetus, Ina May Gaskin, home birth, hospital, jacuzzi
A device to monitor the heartbeat of the fetus. It works by strapping a sensor to the lower abdomen of the body that is connected to the monitoring device on the bedside table. Another sensor is strapped to mom's upper abdomen, and measures contractions. This system is known as the External Fetal Monitor, or EFM.
During birth, it is important to know that the fetus reacts well to the contractions, and that there are no decelerations in his heartbeat during a contraction or right afterwards. If there are decelerations, it can be a sign that the baby is in distress.
In a normal low-risk birth, it is not necessary to be attached to the monitor continuously.
In some cases, the external monitor doesn't register the heartbeat properly, and then it might be necessary to use an internal fetal monitor, which is attached to the scalp of the fetus. For this, the membranes must be broken (in case of need, they will break the waters manually in order to be able to attach the monitor), and monitoring will be continuous.
Go with your body
The best advice I can give ladies on how to best give birth, is that they should go with the flow. Birthing is not something that we do with our intellect, but rather with our instinct. The lady should try to switch off her mind and let her inner monkey take over, as Ina May Gaskin puts it in her book Spiritual Midwifery.
Home birth
A good option for women with a low risk is to give birth at home in stead of at a hospital. Research says that if the pregnancy and birth are low risk, a home birth is at least as safe as a hospital birth as long as it's attended by a skilled midwife. Click here to read more.
Ice chips
Munching on ice chips is a great way to stay refreshed during labor.
Jacuzzi
Spending your labor in a jacuzzi or a big bath tub is a great way to relief much of the pains. Recent research says that laboring and giving birth in the water are good for mother and baby. Click to read more.
Click here to continue.
To subscribe this blog, click here.
For the whole birth ABC, click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 1. Click here.
Technorati Tags: fetal monitor, monitor, EFM, birth, contractions, baby, fetus, Ina May Gaskin, home birth, hospital, jacuzzi
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1 Comments:
Great site and such a wonderful job you do as a birth Doula. I just saw a local TV story about this occupation.
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