Pregnancy - Delivery

The fetus and placenta are called as products of conception.  The expulsion of products of conception is known as delivery if it happens after 37 completed weeks and before that period it is called an abortion for all practical purposes.  If the delivery takes places after 28 completed weeks but before 37 completed weeks it is termed as premature delivery.  A term delivery is after 37 weeks and before 42 weeks of pregnancy.  After 42 weeks it is called post maturity. 

The expected date of delivery/confinement is calculated based on the first day of last menstrual period.  This is nine months plus one week or forty weeks or 280 days.  If a woman had her last menstrual period on 5^th January, her EDD will be 12^th of October. Applying this (Naegele’s) rule anybody can calculate their EDD.  This is applicable only when the woman has regular menstrual cycles. 

Early symptoms of impending delivery are

-Excessive mucoid discharge

-Passing of blood and mucus discharge

-Rhythmic backache and abdominal pain

-Watery discharge.

When any of these symptoms are present the gravida should immediately consult obstetrician and follow the advice.  When there is watery discharge, depending on the condition of fetus and mother delivery is planned.

In conditions of mucus or bloody mucus discharge obstetrician waits for spontaneous onset of labour pains if mother and fetus are normal.  The onset of labour pains may happen within 24hrs.

Many times labour starts with pain abdomen without any other premonitory symptoms.  Sometimes these pains could be false.  The pains occur occasionally for an hour or two and subside with rest.  This may happen more than once before the onset of true labour pains.  Gravida need not worry about it as long as her general condition is good and fetus is healthy and it is not more than 40 weeks of pregnancy.

True labour pains once set will not subside until delivery.  These pains are rhythmic occur initially once in every 5-10 minutes, gradually increase to once in every 2-3 minutes.  Duration of the pain also increases from 30-40 seconds to 60-90 seconds in the final stage of  birth of the fetus.  The severity of the pain also increases.  The pain usually starts in the back and extends from above the abdomen to low down.  The pain is like a wave starts mildly increases and then slowly subsides.  This repeats again and finally the baby is born and placenta is expelled.

There are techniques to make labour pains tolerable.  First and foremost is the tender loving care, and support of the loved ones. Understanding the process of labour and breathing exercises also help in tolerating pain.  Analgesics and anaethesia also be preferred for painless delivery.

However much gravida may experience pain, she forgets everything and smiles when she hears the cry of her newborn baby and want to hold it immediately.  The new life begins.