Childbirth.
Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D.
I. Hom. (London)Childbirth is the process by which a woman gives
birth to a baby. A pregnant woman carries a baby within her body inside
a hollow, muscular organ called the uterus. After about nine months, the
baby passes out of the uterus and through the vagina, also called the
birth canal. Childbirth can be painful, but the severity of the pain
varies among women.The birth process is called labor. The process begins
when the muscles of the uterus start to tighten and relax in a rhythmic
pattern. As labor progresses, these muscle contractions become stronger
and more frequent, causing the cervix (lower part of the uterus) to
open. After the cervix has opened about 4 inches (10 centimeters), the
contractions gradually force the baby through the cervix and out of the
woman’s body through the vagina. Many women assist the process by
“pushing” with their abdominal muscles in time with their
contractions. The amniotic sac, a membrane containing fluids that
surround the baby, breaks before or during labor. The fluids flow out
through the vagina.In most births, the head is the first part of the
baby that comes out of the mother’s body. But in some deliveries, called
breech births, the feet or buttocks come out first. After the baby has
come out of the mother’s body completely, the umbilical cord is cut, and
the infant starts to breathe. The umbilical cord is a tubelike structure
that connects the baby to the placenta, an organ attached to the wall of
the uterus. Food and oxygen from the mother’s blood pass through the
placenta to the baby during pregnancy.After the baby is born, the muscles of the uterus
continue to contract until the placenta separates from the uterus and is
expelled through the vagina. The discharged placenta is also called the
afterbirth.The length of labor varies greatly among women. It
averages 13 to 14 hours for women having their first babies and lasts 7
to 8 hours thereafter.Some woman need an operation called a cesarean
section to deliver a baby. In this operation, a surgeon removes the baby
and the placenta through an incision in the abdomen and uterus. Cesarean
sections are performed for a number of reasons, but chiefly because the
baby cannot pass through the birth canal. The woman’s pelvis may be too
small, or the baby may be too large.Methods of childbirth. Most women in developed
countries deliver their babies in hospitals, which have specially
equipped birth facilities. During childbirth, a woman may receive
medication to relieve her labor pains. In some cases, a physician will
administer a drug to induce (bring on) labor. Before delivery, the
physician may widen the woman’s vaginal opening by making a small
incision called an episiotomy.In many cases, physicians use an electronic fetal
monitor to record the baby’s heartbeat during labor. Disturbances in the
heartbeat may signal that the baby is in danger and that a cesarean
section may be necessary.During the 1960’s and the 1970’s, many hospitals
developed educational programs to prepare women for childbirth and
parenting. These programs instruct both mothers and fathers on
pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. In addition, such programs as
natural childbirth and the Lamaze method teach relaxation exercises and
breathing techniques to lessen the discomfort of labor, thus reducing
the need for painkilling drugs. Many such drugs pass to the baby through
the placenta, so some women choose to avoid them. Some women also avoid
drugs so they can remain alert throughout labor.A type of anesthesia called an epidural is another
popular method for relieving labor pain. This form of pain relief does
not affect the baby or reduce the mother’s alertness, but it must be
given by a specially trained doctor. Epidural anesthesia is injected
through a small tube that is inserted into the back next to the spinal
cord. When the anesthesia is absorbed by nerves that go from the spine
to the uterus, it almost completely eliminates labor pains.At many hospitals, birthing rooms offer an
alternative to traditional labor and delivery rooms. Most birthing rooms
resemble a home bedroom and are used for labor, delivery, and sometimes
recovery. Birthing rooms provide a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where
the hospital’s facilities are still at hand if complications occur.For convenience, following is the Pregnancy Table for
expected date of delivery:
Pregnancy table for expected date of delivery
Find the date of the last menstrual period in the top
line (light-face type) of the pair of lines.The dark number (bold-face type) in the line below
will be the expected day of delivery.
Jan.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Jan.
Oct.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Nov.
Feb.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Feb.
Nov.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(1
2
3
4
5
Dec.
Mar.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Mar.
Dec.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
Jan.
April
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
April
Jan.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
Feb.
May
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
May
Feb.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Mar.
June
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
June
Mar.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
6
April
July
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
July
April
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
May
Aug.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Aug.
May
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
June
Sept.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Sept.
June
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
July
Oct.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Oct.
July
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Aug.
Nov.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Nov.
Aug.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
(1
2
3
4
5
6
Sept.
Dec.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Dec.
Sept.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Oct.
I have come across with an article published on 16
Mar 2004 in “KID’S HEALTH” Magazine, which is reproduced
below to assist new mothers.
Steps
to Recovering From Delivery
That Every Woman Needs to KnowYou have spent the last nine months of your life
preparing, anticipating, writing out lists of names, picking out the
perfect home from the hospital outfit and stocking up on diapers while
waiting for that tiny precious life to arrive and now the moment has
come. After the excitement and family visitors, it’s a special bonding
time for you and your baby.You’re filled with love every time you look at your
baby, yet you are feeling a mix of new and unexpected physical and
emotional experiences. Lamaze classes, and advice from your mother and
friends who have had children, may have prepared you for childbirth, but
not for this.First, the important thing to realize is that these
feelings are normal and the key to dealing with them is acknowledgement,
then finding a coping strategy. The following list compiled by the Kid’s
Health magazine offers what physical and emotional symptoms to expect
after childbirth:
Physical symptoms
Tenderness in the breasts: Your breasts may become painfully
enlarged when the milk comes in and your nipples may become sore.Constipation: The first bowel movement is usually delayed to the
third or fourth day after delivery and you may feel sore due to
sensitive hemorrhoids.Episiotomy: If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina
and the anus) was cut by your doctor during the birth, it may be
difficult to walk or sit because the stitches are healing.Hemorrhoids: These are very common yet usually unexpected and not
noticed initially.Hot and cold flashes: Your internal thermostat is fluctuating trying
to adjust to the new hormone and blood flow levels.Urinary or fecal incontinence: Coughing, laughing or straining can
cause you to inadvertently pass urine due to the muscles that were
stretched during delivery, particularly long vaginal deliveries.“After pains”: Contractions caused by the shrinking of
your uterus may worsen when your baby is nursing.Vaginal discharge: Your periods may be heavier, with clots sometimes
the size of golf balls, but will gradually taper off and stop
altogether after two months.Weight: Before you start losing weight, your postpartum weight will
be around 10 pounds below your full-term weight.
Wide-range of emotions
“Baby blues”: As a result of hormonal changes such as
exhaustion, unexpected birth experiences, adjusting to new roles and
feelings of loss of control over your life, makes up about 80 percent
of what new moms feel. Emotions such as sadness, crying, or anxiety
can happen days or weeks after delivery.Postpartum depression: 10 percent to 20 percent of new moms may
experience mood swings, anxiety, guilt and persistent sadness. This is
considered more serious than the baby blues and can occur several
months after delivery.Postpartum psychosis: A severe and fairly rare condition that may
become life threatening to you and your baby and you should call your
doctor immediately if you experience any feelings of harming yourself
or your baby.
What to expect after a cesarean section
This is a major surgery and takes a much longer time to heal. The worse pain will be the day after the surgery and will gradually
begin to subside.Don’t scratch the area of the incision and take sponge baths for
the first several days.If you notice any redness or swelling around the incision, call your
doctor to make sure it isn’t infected.To help the recovery process, start gentle exercises such as
abdominal tightening, bending and walking, (with assistance initially)
as soon as possible.Drink lots of water, preferably eight to ten glasses a day. Expect vaginal discharge. Avoid stairs and driving until you have healed properly.
Taking time for yourself
One major area of new mothers’ lives that is thrown
off kilter once the baby arrives is allowing time for you. Experts say
that it’s important for moms to know that if you feel like you need
some time for yourself, that you not only deserve it but are entitled to
it.Making time in your schedule whether that be through
the help of a significant other, family member or friend, will help with
giving you the feeling of having control over your life and gaining some
sense of self.Experts recommend beginning a self-care program early
on after having your baby and always remember that good mothering does
not mean perfect mothering. Formulating a self-care program involves
developing a sense of balance between yourself and family members and
pursuing your own interests and goals that you set for yourself. Not
only are your needs important to the development of the family, but also
are fundamental to their happiness.The following exercise is a great way to help you set
your priorities after motherhood:Make a list of five activities, goals, hobbies or
interests that are important to you to pursue in the year following
childbirth.Next, make a promise to yourself that you will look
at this list a few months after your baby is born. By doing this
exercise, you can integrate your interests with motherhood.Keeping a strong relationship with your partner
Having a baby always puts relationships to the test
and it’s up to you and your partner to determine if your relationship
will get stronger or weaker as a result of this experience.As it was before the baby, keeping an open line of
communication, especially if there’s a problem, is even more critical
now because you don’t have as much time to spend together and you have
many more responsibilities.Try to put aside some time in the day for alone time
and share your feelings as honestly and supportively as you can. Come up
with solutions together as a couple.Keep your romance alive by scheduling “date
nights.”
HOMŚOPATHIC TREATMENT
Complications of Labour
* If labour delayed owing to rigid os. —– Gels.
* Pains are mild, irregular, do not come on with
vigour after first show, nausea present —– Puls.* Headache, restlessness, flushed face and eyes,
delirium. —– Bell.* Unbearable pain. —– Cham., Coff., Gels.
* After severe pain, all pains suddenly disappear,
eyes and face get flushed, breathing is hurried and stertorous, lost
consciousness —– Op.* Severe convulsions, patient crying out. —– Hyos.
* Other parts of child than head may be born first to
prevent it —– Puls.* Rigid os. —– Bell.
* Difficult labour. —– Arn.
* Fits of unconsciousness during or after labour,
body cold, pulse feeble —– Camph..* Placenta nor expelled or detached within an hour of
delivery —– Puls., Sec.
Complications of Delivery
Rupture
The space between the vagina and rectum is ruptured
or lacerated mostly in cases of first delivery. It requires the help of
a skillful surgeon to mend it —– Calendula Lotion.
After Pains
These are sometimes troublesome. —– Arn.
But if the mother is irritable or neurotic in
temperament. —– Cham.If Arnica fails. —– Coff., Gels., Sec.
Hćmorrhage
Keep the patient lying down with head low and feet
raised. Firmly knead the uterus and give an intra-uterine douche or
water at 120 degree F —– Sabin., Ham.For weakness. —– Chin.
For headache. —– Fer.
Unconsciousness
If associated with collapse. —– Rubini’s Spt.
Camphor QIf unconsciousness comes on after slight movements or
is associated with cold sweat on forehead —– Ver-a.If fits of unconsciousness comes on pretty frequently
or last long. —– Stram.If due to trauma. —– Arn.
If due to fear. —– Acon., Coff.
If patient cannot swallow medicines, let her inhale
them. Give light nutritious diet (milk and barley etc.).
Convulsions (Eclampsia)
This is a terrible complications and is characterized
by repeated convulsions of increasing frequency and severity and
sleeping coma. Its cause is not known: probably toxćmia of pregnancy.During premonitory stage. —– Hyos.
During fits. —– Bell., Hydr-ac.
After fits stop, and if mental derangement persists.
—– Op.If the convulsions are preceded by fever and thirst.
—– Acon.If convulsions are associated with cold clammy sweat,
full —– Ver-vir.quick pulse and delirium.
Sudden stoppage of perspiration. —– Cham., Dulc.
Weakness. —– Chin., Ph-ac.
Insomnia (without any apparent cause). —– Coff.
If no urine is passed within 12 hours. —– Acon.
(Every 10 minutes)If 4 doses of Acon fail. —– Bell. (Every ˝ hr.
upto 3 doses) then Equisetum.
Constipation
If absolutely no stool within 48 hours and if pain is
felt in abdomen —– Collin. or Ver.Diarrhśa. —– Hyos., Puls.
Piles. —– Puls. internally and Ham. Q locally.
Lochia
Usually bright red blood is passed in the first two
or three days; then it becomes pale, then watery and finally purulent
matter comes out before the discharge ceases – about 3 week’s time.If however this discharge (called lochia) persists
unduly long. —– Sabin.If scarlet blood is passed for a long time. —–
Sabin.If lochia suddenly ceases. —– Acon.
If it smells ill. —– Kreos., Carb-v. internally
and Calendula Lotion Q (1 in 20 of water) to irrigate thrice daily.
OTHER SUGGESTED REMEDIES
Cimicifuga Racemosa
This remedy may be given three or four months before
delivery to ensure safe and painless delivery. It checks false labour
pain also. Cimicifuga also ensure living birth in women who have
previously delivered only dead children.
Pulsatilla
To avoid false labour pains and to ensure safe
delivery in due time the medicine may be given in 1M every 15 minutes
– three doses only at the time the delivery is expected. It also puts
the child in right position if it has changed its position in the womb,
if given before the membranes are ruptured.
Aur-Mur-Nat
.
It should be given to syphilitic mothers to prevent
diseases in their off-springs.
Arnica
An excellent remedy for pains after delivery.
Caulophyllum
Complementary to Pulsatilla in cases where the fśtus
is in unfabourable position in the uterus. Given in 30 potency one dose
a day for two or three weeks before delivery will make the delivery easy
and prevent false labour pains. It also helps when the movements of the
fśtus have ceased.
China
After profuse bleeding in delivery. A dose of 1M will
recoup the strength of the patient.
Stramonium
Nymphomania (excessive or intolerable desire for
sexual intercourse) in lying-in-women i. e. during confinement. It is
also used in 200 potency for insanity during pregnancy.
Ruta
Prolapsus of rectum after confinement.
Cuprum Met.
During the course of labour the patient suddenly
becomes blind. The labour pains cease and the convulsions come on,
commencing in the fingers and toes.
Nux Vomica
Hiccough during confinement, preventing eating,
drinking and sleeping.
Platina
Nymphomania. Great sexual desire in lying-in-women.
Kali Carb
Hćmorrhage due to atonic condition of blood vessels
and bleeding starts after one week of labour.
Causticum
Retention of urine after labour.
Viburnum Op.
For false labour pains which may render a woman’s
life a torture for weeks. For after-pains a dose after every pain will
give relief. Also in pain or cramps in the abdomen and legs during
pregnancy.
Crocus
When the movements of fśtus are too violent and
painful.
Thuja
Violent movements of the child during the seventh or
eighth month which disturb her sleep with urging to urinate.
Sulphur
Fśtus in uterus as if hurting by fists.
Anacardium
This may be given in 200 potency for sleeplessness in
pregnancy.
Coffea
If Anacardium fails, this remedy in 200 potency may
be tried at bed time for sleeplessness.
Aconite
For sleeplessness if caused by fright, fear or
anxiety.
NOTE :
Any information given above is not intended to be
taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very
important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather
consult the most abled and qualified classical homśopath and take the
treatment under his proper guidance and advice.
References:
World Book 2003
Mosby’s Medical Encyclopćdia
The Homśopathic Family Practice, published by M. Bhattacharyya &
Co., Ltd., Calcutta.Select Your Remedy by Rai Bahadur Bishambar Das.
Article