|
|
|
| Free E-magazine |
| Subscribe to our Free E-Magazine on Pregnancy. |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Labour and Birth > Four Stages of Labor > The Fourth Stage of Labor
| |
| | The Fourth Stage of Labor
| |
| |
The Fourth Stage of Labor -the Recovery Stage
The fourth stage starts with the birth of the placenta and lasts until your condition is stable, as indicated by your blood pres-sure, pulse, lochia (the normal vaginal discharge of blood from the uterus), and uterine tone. This usually takes about one or two hours. The fourth stage may last longer in case of prolonged labor and the use of anesthesia.
After birth the uterus immediately begins the process of involu-tion (returning to its non pregnant state). The contraction of the uterus facilitates shutting off the open blood vessels at the site of the placenta and casts off the extra lining that built up during the pregnancy. You will begin passing lochia immediately and will need to wear a sanitary napkin.
Your nurse needs to ascertain the firmness of the fundus after birth, for this she will check your uterus frequently. The relaxed fundus will be massaged firmly to cause it to contract. This will ensure the firmness of the fundus. The process can be very painful. You might examine your fundus yourself and, if it seems soft, ask for guidelines to massage it yourself. This will ensure firmness of your uterus with less discomfort. This cannot be ig-nored, because the uterus can bleed excessively if it is not firm. Your legs may tremble during the first minutes after birth. You will be pained by the contracting uterus (especially in multigravidas), swelling and discomfort in the perineum from the stretching and, perhaps, stitches you may have received. A warm blanket will make you comfortable, and an ice pack on your perineum may ease the soreness and may control swelling. Use slow breathing if necessary for the after -pains. You may experience sudden hunger and thirst which is not at all surprising since you have been working hard and have probably missed some meals.
Your New Family
While your body is settling down after the birth, your family is settling down also. You and any other family members or close friends will savor these first moments with the baby. The baby remains in a state of wakefulness and alertness due to the process of labor which may last for several hours. Your baby is likely to be composed trying to observe his surroundings and sensing the new sounds, smells, sights, touches, and tastes around him. He stares, particularly at faces. As your baby cuddles to you, stares into your face, or suckles at your breast, you will be overwhelmed by your baby, think this to be the most precious gift god has given you. This is a time of falling in Love, this will make you bond with your baby. Your partner also will like to cuddle him close, perhaps skin-to-skin, and enjoy these first moments with the baby. If you are breastfeeding, you will give your baby his first feed as soon as he is ready after birth.
In some hospitals, routine care of the healthy newborn includes time for the baby and his parents to be together. Check your hospital`s policies; and mention your preferences if you wish to be together in privacy for an hour or more after birth. Include the wish in your birth plan. Routine ob-servations or procedures can be performed on the normal new-born in the presence and even in the arms of the parents.
The baby usually falls deeply asleep after one or several hours. The initial excitement that you feel after the birth gives way to fatigue as a result of labor. At this time, the nurse/ doctor may monitor you and your baby`s vital signs. After a home birth, the observations are made by the birth assis-tant, or an informed friend or relative.
Some Hospitals insists on all newborns receive eye prophylaxis-medication to prevent eye infection and possible blindness from gonococcus, the or-ganism that causes gonorrhea. The tests for gonorrhea are not accurate enough to determine whether or not one has been infected, so it mandatory for all babies to receive treatment, since the mother can pass on the disease, if she has it. Strict enforcement is necessary because gonococcal blind-ness is serious while entirely preventable. Silver nitrate is com-monly used for eye prophylaxis. But other medications, such as erythromycin and tetracycline, have recently been approved, for use by the American Academy of Pediatrics and many state legislatures. Ask your caregiver which are available for your baby.
In the fourth stage you need to adjust yourself, to your non pregnant state, and the responsibilities of new parenthood. Your "real" baby replaces your "imagined" baby; your body begins the process of involu-tion; and you begin the important work of reliving, understand-ing and placing in perspective your labor and birth experiences
| |
| |
|
