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 A
Guide for Expecting Parents |
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LABOR REVIEW & GUIDE - Special
Problems
Prelude
to Labor
Stage
1: Effacement (%) and Dilation (centimeters) of Cervix
Stage
2: Birth of the Baby
Stage
3: Expulsion of the Placenta
Stage
4: First Hours After the Birth of Your Baby
Special
Problems Related to the Birthing Process
Special Problems Related to the
Birthing Process
| Special
Problem |
Mother's
Symptoms |
Comfort
Measures |
Hyperventilation:
Imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in blood, usually caused by a combination of fast
and deep breathing |
• Tingling in hands, feet, or around
lips
• Dizziness, light-headedness |
Mother:
• Re-breathe exhaled air by breathing into a paper bag or cupped hands
• Hold breath for a few seconds after a contraction is over
Coach:
• Direct mother to re-breathe her air
• Monitor breathing and correct her technique as needed
|
| Back Labor |
• Intense discomfort in back during contractions, which frequently persists between contractions
• Relaxation may become extremely difficult as discomfort and tension increase
|
Mother:
• Assume a favorable position—side-lying, sitting, standing, or on your hands and knees; DO NOT lie on your back
• Change position frequently
• Pelvic rock/tilt
• Relaxation
• Breathing patterns
• Listen to nurse’s suggestions
Coach:
• Give mother lots of praise and encouragement
• Passive pelvic rock/tilt
• Change of temperature to lower back, hot or cold compresses
• Very firm pressure to the lower back, counter pressure, and massage
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PELVIC
ROCK/TILT |
| This exercise is especially helpful for relieving pain in the lower back. This exercise may be done during or between contractions. Movement is slow and rhythmic rocking. It may be done actively by the mother or passively by the coach, but the objective is the same: to tilt the mother’s pelvis backward.
Active Pelvic Rock Position: Mother is on hands and knees, lying on side, sitting, or standing.
Passive Pelvic Rock Position: Mother is in side-lying position, while coach either faces mother’s front and applies
pressure to mother’s lower back while pushing against her iliac crest (hip); or, coach faces mother’s back and applies pressure to mother’s lower back while pulling back on her
iliac crest (hip) |
Coach’s Position (facing mother’s front): Apply pressure to mother’s lower back while pushing against her iliac crest (hip bone). |
Coach’s Position (facing mother’s back): Apply pressure to mother’s lower back while pulling back on her iliac crest. |
Copyright
© 2004 Fort Collins Women's Clinic. All Rights Reserved.
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