HealthPartners - Preparing for childbirth

Labor Language Unless you’re a trained medical person, many of the words and phrases you hear from your health care provider and other people on your birth team may be new to you. This section gives you a brief definition of some of these terms and what’s important to know about them. AMNIOTIC SAC (BAG OF WATERS) In your uterus, your baby floats in a membrane filled with amniotic fluid . This membrane is called the amniotic sac , or bag of waters . The amniotic sac: • Acts as an insulating cushion for your baby • Keeps your baby’s environment and temperature stable • Keeps harmful bacteria away from the baby Sometime before your baby is born, the amniotic sac may rupture. This is known as your “water breaking.” It can happen before you start having labor contractions or any time after labor starts. Your water may break in a large gush of fluid or more of a gentle trickle. This is all normal. If you think your water has broken, you’ll need to give your health care provider some basic information. The acronym COAT can help you remember what to tell your provider when you call. MUCUS PLUG The mucus plug is a collection of hormonal secretions that collect in your cervix early in your pregnancy. It acts as a seal to protect your uterus (and baby) from bacteria that could be present in your vagina. As you get closer to the start of labor, the plug may dislodge and pass into your vagina. You may or may not be aware that the plug has passed. If you do see it, the mucus may appear brown, pink, or red. Because the cervix has a rich blood supply, when the mucus passes through the cervix, it may become blood-tinged. This substance is called “ bloody show .” PLACENTA The placenta is an amazing organ that is only present in your body during pregnancy. It produces hormones to support your pregnancy, supply oxygen and nutrients to your growing baby, and • C olor of fluid • O dor of fluid • A mount of fluid • T ime water broke

remove waste products from the baby’s blood. The placenta grows on the wall of your uterus, and the umbilical cord connecting you to your baby extends from it. Your body will expel the placenta around 5-30 minutes after your baby is born. Depending on your health during pregnancy, your placenta may be sent to a pathology lab for further inspection or simply discarded. If you want to save your placenta, be sure to add this request to your birth plan and share the information with your health care provider. LABOR HORMONES Your body begins to get ready for labor up to 1 month before the birth. Toward the end of the third trimester, your body will begin producing chemicals called prostaglandins that cause softening and thinning of the cervix. When your body is ready to give birth, it will release large quantities of prostaglandins. Before that, you may notice other signs that you’ll be giving birth soon. LIGHTENING AND FUNDUS Earlier in your pregnancy, your fundus is right below your breasts. As your body gets ready to give birth, it will drop 2 to 3 inches away from your ribs. This is called lightening . It can happen weeks before labor begins or not until right before labor starts. During lightening, your baby “drops” or settles into your bony pelvis. You may feel more pressure in your pelvic area. You may also find it easier to breathe. But increased pressure on your bladder may cause you to make more trips to the bathroom.

LABOR AND BIRTH

Chapter 4: Labor and Birth 41