What are the determining factors for natural childbirth and key considerations during the three stages of labor?
Three Key Elements for Smooth Delivery
Labor Forces Labor forces refer to the power expelling the fetus and its membranes from the mother's uterus. These include uterine contractions, abdominal muscle contractions, levator ani muscle contractions, and diaphragmatic contractions—with uterine contractions being the primary force.
The birth canal is the pathway for fetal delivery, divided into the bony and soft birth canals. The bony birth canal refers to the mother's pelvis. Its size and shape directly impact delivery. The soft birth canal encompasses the cervix, vagina, and vulva. If the cervix is fully dilated and the vaginal passage offers no resistance, the fetus can pass smoothly for normal delivery.
The fetus's size, presence of abnormalities, and proper position directly influence the ease of delivery.
Three Stages, Three Key Points
During the first stage, which is lengthy, the mother should eat well, drink adequately, rest sufficiently, and maintain regular bowel movements. If the membranes have not ruptured, she may walk slowly indoors. If contractions cause pain, deep breathing techniques can provide relief.
Smooth progression through the second stage depends on the mother's active cooperation. During this phase, the pressure from abdominal muscle contractions must synchronize with uterine contractions to generate sufficient force for successful delivery. Therefore, mothers must learn to apply abdominal pressure correctly. The technique involves taking a deep breath at the onset of a contraction, then pushing downward with held breath as uterine contractions intensify, continuing until the contraction subsides.During the intervals between contractions, the mother should rest quietly without exerting force. This repeated coordination between uterine contractions and abdominal pressure accelerates fetal delivery and shortens the second stage of labor.
Third Stage of Labor After the baby is born, the uterus shrinks. The placenta and the membranes surrounding the baby separate from the uterus and are expelled with uterine contractions, marking the complete end of the delivery.