Labour and Delivery

Labour is the process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal. It is divided into three stages:

  1. First Stage – Onset of regular contractions until full cervical dilation (10 cm).
  2. Second Stage – Full dilation to the delivery of the baby.
  3. Third Stage – Delivery of the baby to the expulsion of the placenta.

Signs and Symptoms of Labour

  • Regular, painful contractions
  • Bloody show (mucus plug discharge with blood)
  • Rupture of membranes (water breaking)
  • Effacement and dilation of the cervix
  • Pressure in the pelvis

Types of Labour

  1. True Labour – Regular contractions, cervical changes, and progressive dilation.
  2. False Labour (Braxton Hicks Contractions) – Irregular contractions with no cervical changes.
  3. Preterm Labour – Labour occurring before 37 weeks of gestation.
  4. Induced Labour – Labour started medically or surgically.
  5. Obstructed Labour – When the baby cannot pass through the birth canal.

Antenatal Care (Prenatal Care)

Antenatal care refers to the medical and supportive care given to a pregnant woman before delivery to ensure the health of both mother and baby. It includes:

  • Regular check-ups (blood pressure, weight, fetal growth)
  • Nutritional advice and supplements (e.g., iron, folic acid)
  • Ultrasound scans
  • Immunization (e.g., tetanus toxoid)
  • Screening for infections and complications

Postnatal Care

Care given to the mother and newborn after delivery, typically for six weeks postpartum. It includes:

  • Monitoring for infections or complications
  • Encouraging breastfeeding
  • Postpartum depression screening
  • Contraceptive counseling
  • Neonatal care (immunization, weight monitoring)

Maternal

Refers to anything related to the mother, especially during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum.

Auscultation

The act of listening to internal body sounds using a stethoscope, often used to monitor fetal heartbeat or maternal heart and lung sounds.

Parity

The number of times a woman has given birth to a viable fetus (after 20 weeks of gestation), regardless of whether the baby was born alive or stillborn.

Multiparity

A condition where a woman has given birth two or more times to a fetus of viable gestational age.

Gravidity

The total number of times a woman has been pregnant, regardless of the outcome (includes live births, miscarriages, and abortions).

Stillbirth

The birth of a baby with no signs of life after 20 weeks of gestation.

Abortion

The termination of pregnancy before the fetus is viable (before 20 weeks of gestation).

Types of Abortion

  1. Spontaneous Abortion (Miscarriage) – Pregnancy loss due to natural causes.
  2. Induced Abortion – A medical or surgical procedure to terminate pregnancy.
  3. Threatened Abortion – Vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix, but pregnancy may continue.
  4. Inevitable Abortion – Bleeding with an open cervix, indicating that pregnancy loss is unavoidable.
  5. Incomplete Abortion – Some pregnancy tissue remains in the uterus after miscarriage.
  6. Complete Abortion – The entire pregnancy tissue is expelled.
  7. Missed Abortion – The fetus dies but is not expelled from the uterus.
  8. Septic Abortion – Infection following an abortion.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hernia

A hernia is a condition in which an organ or tissue pushes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscle or connective tissue. It commonly occurs in the abdominal wall but can also develop in other parts of the body. Signs and Symptoms A visible lump or bulge in the affected area (e.g., abdomen, groin) Pain or discomfort, especially when lifting, coughing, or straining A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the affected region Burning or aching sensation at the site of the bulge In some cases, nausea or vomiting if the hernia becomes obstructed Complications Incarceration: The hernia becomes trapped and cannot be pushed back in, causing pain. Strangulation: Blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off, leading to tissue death (a medical emergency). Bowel obstruction: If intestines are involved, it can lead to blockage and digestive issues. Chronic pain: Persistent discomfort due to nerve compression or irritation. Transmission Hernia is not an infectious dis...
Read more

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) due to either inadequate insulin production by the pancreas or the body's inability to effectively use insulin. Signs and Symptoms Increased thirst (polydipsia) Frequent urination (polyuria) Excessive hunger (polyphagia) Unexplained weight loss Fatigue Blurred vision Slow-healing wounds Frequent infections (e.g., skin, gums, urinary tract) Numbness or tingling in hands and feet Complications If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to: Cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke) Neuropathy (nerve damage) Nephropathy (kidney disease) Retinopathy (eye damage, blindness) Diabetic foot ulcers and amputations Increased risk of infections Ketoacidosis (in Type 1 Diabetes) Transmission Diabetes is not a communicable disease; it does not spread from person to person. It is influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Causative Agent Diabetes is not caused by a pathogen....
Read more

Measles

  Any person with fever and maculopapular rashes PLUS one of the following signs:    1. Conjunctivitis (redness of the eyes)    2. Coryza (runny nose)    3. Cough    is an acute viral communicable disease caused by the measles virus (rubeola).         SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS    Fever, rashes, conjunctivitis, coryza, cough, headache, malaise, otitis media, inflammation of the respiratory tract, dehydration.              TRANSMISSION    Droplets or contact with an infected person.              CAUSATIVE AGENT     Measles virus (rubeola virus)             INCUBATION PERIOD   7–18 days or 16–18 days, but usually 10 days.                RESERVOIR                  Humans           PREVENTION A...
Read more

Yellow Fever

Any person with sudden onset of high fever followed by jaundice within two weeks from the onset of the first symptoms. It is an acute infectious disease caused by the yellow fever virus.   It is an acute disease of high mortality.   TYPE OF YELLOW FEVER 1. Urban or Rural (Epidemic) (man to man) 2. Sylvatic or Jungle (monkey to monkey)   SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Fever, jaundice, headache, hematuria, bleeding of gums, backache, muscle pain, vomiting, abdominal disturbance, chills.   TRANSMISSION  By the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosquito.   CAUSATIVE AGENT Yellow fever virus.   INCUBATION PERIOD          3–6 days.   RESERVOIR Man and monkey.   PREVENTION AND CONTROL 1. Immunization with the yellow fever vaccine.   2. Treatment of an infected person. 3. Surveillance   4. Sanitation.   5. Use of insecticides.   6. Health education
Read more

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a very serious chronic bacterial communicable infection that attacks the lungs and other parts of the body.       TYPES OF TUBERCULOSIS 1. PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: This type of tuberculosis affects the lungs. 2. EXTRAPULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: This type of tuberculosis affects the bones, kidneys, brain, abdomen, and reproductive organs. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Fever, cough, chest pain, night sweats, difficulty in breathing, weight loss, loss of appetite, coughing up blood in the later stages, chronic fatigue, emaciation. TRANSMISSION Transmission occurs via airborne droplets from the sputum of an infected person, consumption of infected cow's milk, and prolonged exposure to an active case may lead to infection. CAUSATIVE AGENT Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tubercle bacillus). INCUBATION PERIOD 4 to 12 weeks. RESERVOIR Humans and cows. PREVENTION AND CONTROL 1. Immunization with the BCG vaccine. 2. Treatment of infected individuals. 3. Isolation. 4. Surveillance. 5....
Read more

Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It primarily affects the respiratory system but can also impact other organs. Signs and Symptoms COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe and may include: Common Symptoms: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, and loss of taste or smell. Severe Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion, bluish lips or face. Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Complications Severe cases of COVID-19 can lead to: Pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) Multi-organ failure Blood clots and stroke Long COVID (persistent symptoms lasting weeks or months) Death, especially in high-risk individuals Transmission COVID-19 spreads mainly through: Respiratory droplets (from coughing, sneezing, or talking) Airborne transmission (in poorly ventilated areas) Direct contact (touching an infected...
Read more

Diphtheria

Diphtheria is an acute bacterial communicable infection that affects the mucous membranes of the nose, tonsils, pharynx, and larynx, and it can cause respiratory obstruction. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Fever, cough, sore throat, laryngitis, headache, pain, and loss of appetite. TRANSMISSION By airborne droplets, direct contact, indirect contact (through fomites), and by ingestion of contaminated raw milk. CAUSATIVE AGENT Corynebacterium diphtheriae. INCUBATION PERIOD         2 to 5 days. PREVENTION AND CONTROL 1. Immunization with the pentavalent vaccine. 2. Treatment of an infected person. 3. Isolation. 4. Surveillance 5. Environmental and personal hygiene. 6. Health education.
Read more

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes. Some types cause benign warts, while others are associated with cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS HPV infections often do not cause symptoms, but when they do, they can include: Genital warts (small, flesh-colored bumps, often clustered) Common warts ( on hands and fingers) Plantar warts (on the soles of the feet) Flat warts (smooth lesions that appear anywhere on the body) Precancerous lesions ( detected via screening, often asymptomatic) COMPLICATIONS Cervical cancer (strongly linked to high-risk HPV types 16 and 18) Other cancers (vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal) Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) (HPV infection in the airway, causing voice and breathing difficulties) TRANSMISSION Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, and oral sex) Skin-to-skin contact (even without interco...
Read more