"Childbirth, also known as labour, parturition and delivery, is the completion of pregnancy where one or more babies exits the internal environment of the mother via vaginal delivery or caesarean section."
Knowledge of the stages of labor, appropriate fetal monitoring, and management of complications during delivery is necessary for providing safe and effective obstetric care.
Anatomy and Physiology of the Reproductive System: It includes the structure and function of the female reproductive system, the menstrual cycle, and the stages of labor.
Antenatal Care: It includes the care of women during pregnancy, including screening, monitoring, and management of potential problems during prenatal care.
Fetal Development: It includes embryonic and fetal development phases, fetal health, and fetal monitoring during labor.
Labor and Delivery Process: It includes the three stages of labor, normal versus complicated labor and delivery, and assessment of the fetal heartbeat.
Pain Management in Labor: It includes methods used to manage pain during labor and delivery, including non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic techniques.
Obstetric Emergencies: It includes management of obstetric emergencies, such as hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and eclampsia.
Cesarean Section: It includes indications for cesarean delivery, types of cesarean sections, and post-operative care.
Neonatal Care: It includes newborn assessment, feeding, and care in the immediate postpartum period.
Complications in Pregnancy: It includes the diagnosis and management of pregnancy complications, such as preterm labor, placenta previa, and gestational diabetes.
Women's Health: It includes general gynecological health, contraceptive options, and management of menstrual disorders.
Cultural Considerations in Obstetrics: It includes social and cultural influences that may impact obstetric care, such as language barriers and religious practices.
Legal and Ethical Issues in Obstetrics: It includes guidelines for informed consent, privacy, and ensuring the safety and well-being of both the mother and baby.
Postpartum Care: It includes care of the mother and baby after delivery, including recovery, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
Spontaneous Vaginal Delivery: This is the most common type of delivery where a woman goes into labor naturally, and the baby is born through the vaginal canal.
Induced Vaginal Delivery: In this type of delivery, labor is induced through medication or other medical procedures when natural labor hasn't started or is progressing too slowly.
Vacuum-Assisted Delivery: A vacuum extraction device is used to help guide the baby out of the birth canal during delivery when the mother is having difficulty pushing.
Forceps-Assisted Delivery: Similar to a vacuum delivery, forceps are used by the physician to guide the baby out of the birth canal.
C-section Delivery: A surgical delivery in which the baby is removed from the mother's uterus through an incision in the abdomen and uterus.
VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) Delivery: Women who have had a prior C-section can choose to try for a vaginal birth during their next pregnancy to avoid another C-section.
Water Birth Delivery: The mother is immersed in water during delivery and the baby is born underwater.
Doula-Assisted Delivery: A doula is a trained support person who provides emotional and physical support to the mother during labor and delivery.
Twin Delivery: When a woman is carrying twins, there are various ways they can be delivered, including vaginally or by C-section.
High-Risk Pregnancy Delivery: Women with certain medical conditions or who are at high risk for complications during delivery require specialized care and may be scheduled for an induction or C-section.
Home Birth Delivery: Some women choose to give birth at home, with a midwife or other professional to provide support and guidance.
Elective Delivery: Women may choose to have an induction or C-section without a medical reason, for personal or scheduling reasons.
Preterm Delivery: When a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, it is considered a preterm delivery and may require specialized medical care.
Stillbirth: When a baby is delivered without signs of life after the 20th week of pregnancy, it is considered a stillbirth.
Miscarriage: When a pregnancy ends before the 20th week, it is considered a miscarriage, and delivery may be required to remove any remaining tissue from the uterus.
"In 2019, there were about 140.11 million human births globally."
"In developed countries, most deliveries occur in hospitals."
"In developing countries, most are home births."
"The most common childbirth method worldwide is vaginal delivery."
"It involves four stages of labour: the shortening and opening of the cervix during the first stage, descent and birth of the baby during the second, the delivery of the placenta during the third, and the recovery of the mother and infant during the fourth stage."
"The first stage is characterized by abdominal cramping or back pain that typically lasts half a minute and occurs every 10 to 30 minutes."
"The second stage ends when the infant is fully expelled."
"The third stage is the delivery of the placenta."
"The fourth stage of labour involves the recovery of the mother, delayed clamping of the umbilical cord, and monitoring of the neonate."
"All major health organizations advise that immediately following a live birth, regardless of the delivery method, the infant be placed on the mother's chest (termed skin-to-skin contact), and to delay neonate procedures for at least one to two hours or until the baby has had its first breastfeeding."
"A vaginal delivery is recommended over a cesarean section due to increased risk for complications of a cesarean section and natural benefits of a vaginal delivery in both mother and baby."
"Various methods may help with pain, such as relaxation techniques, opioids, and spinal blocks."
"It is best practice to limit the amount of interventions that occur during labour and delivery such as an elective cesarean section."
"A scheduled cesarean section must be planned for a successful delivery and recovery of the mother in some cases."
"An emergency cesarean section may be recommended if unexpected complications occur or little to no progression through the birthing canal is observed in a vaginal delivery."
"Each year, complications from pregnancy and childbirth result in about 500,000 birthing deaths."
"Seven million women have serious long-term problems following delivery."
"50 million women giving birth have negative health outcomes following delivery."
"Most of these negative health outcomes occur in the developing world."