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Birth ABC explanation part 4
Quite an experience
No matter what kind of birth you have, quick or long, natural or with an epidural, vaginal or cesarean, it is always quite an experience. This is not just another day in the life of a woman, but rather an event that will stay with her in memory for the rest of her life. Nobody argues about the fact that the most important thing is a healthy mother and a healthy baby, but having a positive birth experience is just as important for this life changing event. From research we know that it doesn't matter so much how the birth went, if the woman felt respected and supported all throughout, she's much more likely to look back on it in a positive way.
Rupture of membranes
Also known as breaking of waters. This happens when the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus inside the uterus ruptures. The bag is filled with a liquid called amniotic fluid, which serves as protection for the fetus from the outside world.
The membranes can rupture at any point during labor. Sometimes they rupture before the onset of labor, and usually contractions will start within 24 hours.
When labor stalls, rupturing the membranes artificially (also known as AROM or amniotomy) can help move the labor along. This procedure is used much more often than really necessary, and that also has negative effects. The risk of infection rises, the contractions usually become much stronger and pain medication is needed, and sometimes the baby's head will come down in a weird angle and they have to perform a cesarean. In most cases, it is best to just be patient and let nature and labor run their course.
Also, in a recent study it was discovered that artificially rupturing the membranes does not speed up the labor. Read more about it here.
Shiatsu pressure points
Shiatsu pressure points are points on the body that lie along the meridians that are known in chinese medicine. Every point corresponds with organs inside the body. There are points that are in contact with the uterus and stimulate contractions. Those points are out-of-bounds during the pregnancy because they might trigger premature labor, but during birth itself they can be very useful for making stronger contractions. Read more here.
Tea of nettles and raspberry leaf
The teas of dried nettles and raspberry leaves are known to help tone the uterus and get it into shape for labor and birth. Pregnant women are recommended to drink nettles tea all throughout the pregnancy, and add tea of raspberry leaf during the last few weeks in preparation for the birth.
Uterus
Also known as womb. This is the little house of the fetus during the pregnancy. This is what the uterus looks like when the woman is not pregnant:
It is about as big as an uninflated balloon.
At 40 weeks gestation, this is what it looks like:
The uterus is the pink balloon that surrounds the baby. By now, it has the size of a big watermelon!
To be continued...
For the whole birth ABC, click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 1. Click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 2. Click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 3. Click here.
To subscribe this blog, click here.
Technorati Tags: birth, life changing event, rupture of membranes, AROM, amniotomy, shiatsu, pressure points, labor, nettles tea, raspberry leaf tea, pregnancy, uterus
No matter what kind of birth you have, quick or long, natural or with an epidural, vaginal or cesarean, it is always quite an experience. This is not just another day in the life of a woman, but rather an event that will stay with her in memory for the rest of her life. Nobody argues about the fact that the most important thing is a healthy mother and a healthy baby, but having a positive birth experience is just as important for this life changing event. From research we know that it doesn't matter so much how the birth went, if the woman felt respected and supported all throughout, she's much more likely to look back on it in a positive way.
Rupture of membranes
Also known as breaking of waters. This happens when the amniotic sac that surrounds the fetus inside the uterus ruptures. The bag is filled with a liquid called amniotic fluid, which serves as protection for the fetus from the outside world.
The membranes can rupture at any point during labor. Sometimes they rupture before the onset of labor, and usually contractions will start within 24 hours.
When labor stalls, rupturing the membranes artificially (also known as AROM or amniotomy) can help move the labor along. This procedure is used much more often than really necessary, and that also has negative effects. The risk of infection rises, the contractions usually become much stronger and pain medication is needed, and sometimes the baby's head will come down in a weird angle and they have to perform a cesarean. In most cases, it is best to just be patient and let nature and labor run their course.
Also, in a recent study it was discovered that artificially rupturing the membranes does not speed up the labor. Read more about it here.
Shiatsu pressure points
Shiatsu pressure points are points on the body that lie along the meridians that are known in chinese medicine. Every point corresponds with organs inside the body. There are points that are in contact with the uterus and stimulate contractions. Those points are out-of-bounds during the pregnancy because they might trigger premature labor, but during birth itself they can be very useful for making stronger contractions. Read more here.
Tea of nettles and raspberry leaf
The teas of dried nettles and raspberry leaves are known to help tone the uterus and get it into shape for labor and birth. Pregnant women are recommended to drink nettles tea all throughout the pregnancy, and add tea of raspberry leaf during the last few weeks in preparation for the birth.
Uterus
Also known as womb. This is the little house of the fetus during the pregnancy. This is what the uterus looks like when the woman is not pregnant:
It is about as big as an uninflated balloon.
At 40 weeks gestation, this is what it looks like:
The uterus is the pink balloon that surrounds the baby. By now, it has the size of a big watermelon!
To be continued...
For the whole birth ABC, click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 1. Click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 2. Click here.
Birth ABC explanation: part 3. Click here.
To subscribe this blog, click here.
Technorati Tags: birth, life changing event, rupture of membranes, AROM, amniotomy, shiatsu, pressure points, labor, nettles tea, raspberry leaf tea, pregnancy, uterus
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posted by Michal @ 8:49 PM
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