MODULE 7

Healthy Birthing

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d. Guide to Labour and Birth

This guide will give you information on the following:

  • what will happen
  • how you may feel
  • what you can do
  • what your labour partner can do to help

This guide is printable. Bring it with you to the hospital. It might help you and your partner to keep track of your labour and to stay as confident and comfortable as possible.

 to access The Guide to Labour and Delivery

True Labour and False Labour

TRUE LABOUR AND FALSE LABOUR
True labour False labour
  • Contractions are regular - about 15 to 20 minutes apart and last for about 15 seconds.
  • Contractions are not regular - sometimes they are closer together and other times, they are further apart.

 

  • Contractions gradually get closer together.
  • Contractions remain far apart.
  • Contractions gradually get stronger and longer.
  • Contractions remain about the same strenght.
  • Contractions are felt more in the back or lower abdomen.
  • Contractions feel like the abdomen is tightening around the baby.
  • Contractions get stronger even when you walk or change activity.
  • Contractions stop when you walk of change activity.
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Most Common Reasons for Having a Cesarean

MOST COMMON REASONS FOR HAVING A CESAREAN
Reason Explication
Labour is not progressing normally

Even though the contractions are strong and regular, the cervix has not dilated for several hours, or the baby is not positioned in order to come out.

The baby's heart rate Changes in the heart rate show that the baby is having difficulties or becoming tired.
The placenta The placenta is bleeding or coming away from the wall of the uterus.
The baby's position The baby is in a position that makes vaginal birth difficult as in a breech birth.
Mother has health problems The mother has a health problem like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or active herpes.
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