Misconstrued Thoughts : Yesterday's Misconstrued Thoughts Today

Childbirth…well, first of all I don’t consider myself to be an expert. But, since I graduated from nursing school in May and started working as a Labor and Delivery nurse, I have assisted in about 30 deliveries (so far...). I must say it is one of the most wonderful experiences that anyone could be apart of.

So, to tell you a little about childbirth…I thought I would tell you about the labor process. The labor process is divided into four stages. The first stage called the dilating stage begins with the onset of regular labor contractions and ends with the complete dilatation.

The first stage is divided into three phases: latent, active, and transition. The latent phase begins at true labor onset and ends with onset of active labor. During this time dilatation is 0-4 centimeters. It can last anywhere from 5 to 8 hours. A laboring woman is generally excited, alert and talkative and may experience abdominal cramps, backache and pain. The next phase is the active phase. This begins with the onset of labor and progresses into transition. Dilatation is 4-7 centimeters. This phase can last anywhere from 2 to 4.5 hours. The laboring woman may feel discomfort, nausea and vomiting, backache, fear of losing control and may become irritable. This is a time when the nurse gives a great deal of reassurance, comfort and encouragement. The last phase is the transition phase. Dilatation is usually 8-10 centimeters. The laboring woman may feel increased pain and pressure and usually expresses the urge to push.

The second stage of labor is the period from complete dilatation to delivery of the newborn. This stage can last anywhere from 15 minutes to 1 hour. Actually, I’ve seen it last up to 3 hours. This is generally where the laboring woman is very tired and needs lots of encouragement and cheering to deliver the infant.

The third stage is the period from delivery of the newborn to delivery of the placenta. This can last 5-30 minutes. The amniotic membrane attached to the placenta can actually be donated and used for a variety of surgical grafts.

The fourth stage is the period from delivery of the placenta to 4 hours after. During this time the greatest risk is postpartum hemorrhage. Preventive measures and interventions are preformed to prevent this from happening.

So, this is just a little about childbirth and what I do…there is so much more involved, if you would like to know more, one of the best books that others have suggested is “What To Expect When You’re Expecting”. I hope everyone has learned something new, because I have to say that childbirth is truly an unforgettable experience!!!!