Pregnancy: CS Procedure vs. Vaginal Delivery

If you are a pregnant woman or will be one someday, which will you prefer; give birth through a complicated procedure or just through a normal delivery? But you should know first the difference between these two procedures we're talking about.

Pregnancy is a very serious matter for a woman's life. She will carry a baby in her womb for 9 months until it is completely developed and ready to see the world and live. But of course, there are common symptoms felt by a pregnant woman to know that she is really pregnant. Like missing period, vomiting, head aching, changing of breast and weight, getting tired easily or the feeling of unusual fatigue, and the famous symptom of pregnancy, morning sickness. But because the early symptoms of pregnancy are often same with what happens right before and during menstruation, those symptoms aren't always recognized. However, there are some weird pregnancy facts. 

Now, if a pregnant woman is getting to give birth to her baby, she will undergo to either a vaginal delivery or to what we called cesarean procedure. What are the difference between these two ways of giving birth? Actually, these are both complicated. According to Mrs. Ruth, a registered midwife in Taguig City, and also undergone through a cesarean procedure to her 3 kids, vaginal delivery is just a normal way of giving birth. It just becomes complicated if there are some complications detected between the baby and the mother. Examples of those complications according to her are: When the umbilical cord looped around the baby's neck, when the fatal heart rate or rhythm of the baby is not normal, when the baby is pre-mature, also, if the mother's age is older than the normal or usual age of a pregnant woman (25-30 years old). 

The baby has just delivered through normal procedure

Mrs. Ruth also said that vaginal or normal delivery also depends on how long will a mother take labor. If it took so long, the mother will refer to the hospital. She also told me that a mother who is going to give birth to her first baby should be taken to the hospital and not to a lying-in or health center, and will be referred to a doctor to avoid unnecessary mistakes for the safety of the mother and her baby.


On the other hand, if a woman's vagina is too small, and the baby cannot be delivered through it, the midwife or the doctor will decide to have a cesarean procedure or also called c-section. Women in past generation have no choice if they are not possible to a vaginal birth, but death. But because of our modern technology today and the critical mind of the people, cesarean procedure becomes one of the alternative solutions to give birth in other way, and to avoid choosing between life and death.

Doctors are getting the baby out directly from the mother's womb

Unlike vaginal delivery or such complicated vaginal birth, cesarean procedure costs much, because of the tools being used, time, sacrifice, and effort spent just to make it successful. It's also directly taking out the baby from a mother's womb, not from her vagina.

Moreover, according to Mrs. Ruth, those women who give birth through CS recover not so fast because of the wound in their tummies caused by the cut, either vertical or horizontal. They need to take some rest for a month to recover completely. 

CS procedure and vaginal delivery both help women to give birth to their babies normally and successfully depends on their condition. Both are complicated. Both cost money. But what important is, a mother will be able to give birth and see her baby as the best gift to her for the sacrifice she has done.



SOURCES:
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10271
http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/caesarean-section-or-vaginal-birth#.Uke72tKBmaU
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/c-section/MY00214

Labor

Stages of Labor

Obstetricians have divided labor into 3 stages that delineate milestones in a continuous process.

First stage of labor

• Begins with regular uterine contractions and ends with complete cervical dilatation at 10 cm
• Divided into a latent phase and an active phase
• The latent phase begins with mild, irregular uterine contractions that soften and shorten the cervix
• Contractions become progressively more rhythmic and stronger
• The active phase usually begins at about 3-4 cm of cervical dilation and is characterized by rapid cervical dilation and descent of the presenting fetal part
• 
  

Second stage of labor

• Begins with complete cervical dilatation and ends with the delivery of the fetus
• In nulliparous women, the second stage should be considered prolonged if it exceeds 3 hours if regional anesthesia is administered or 2 hours in the absence of regional anesthesia
• In multiparous women, the second stage should be considered prolonged if it exceeds 2 hours with regional anesthesia or 1 hour without it
• 
  

Third stage of labor

• The period between the delivery of the fetus and the delivery of the placenta and fetal membranes
• Delivery of the placenta often takes less than 10 minutes, but the third stage may last as long as 30 minutes
• Expectant management involves spontaneous delivery of the placenta
• The third stage of labor is considered prolonged after 30 minutes, and active intervention is commonly considered
• Active management often involves prophylactic administration of oxytocin or other uterotonics (prostaglandins or ergot alkaloids), cord clamping/cutting, and controlled traction of the umbilical cord

Mechanism of Labor

The mechanisms of labor, also known as the cardinal movements, involve changes in the position of the fetus’s head during its passage in labor. These are described in relation to a vertex presentation. Although labor and delivery occurs in a continuous fashion, the cardinal movements are described as the following 7 discrete sequences:

1. Engagement
2. Descent
3. Flexion
4. Internal rotation
5. Extension
6. Restitution and external rotation
7. Expulsion

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/260036-overview

Cesarean Procedure

What is a cesarean section?

A cesarean section, or c-section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical incision in the mother's abdomen and uterus. In certain circumstances, a c-section is scheduled in advance. In others, it's done in response to an unforeseen complication.

Why Do Some Women Consider Cesarean Delivery More Advantageous And In Keeping With The 21st century?

A cesarean section is a modern way to have a baby, involving the use of technology

Modern technology features highly in our daily lives. We are at ease with it and find it reassuring. The latest and most up-to-date technological equipment is much prized and sought after in all areas of our lives.

A cesarean section is a medical operation
Birth is currently seen as a medical event as it usually takes place in hospital. Is a cesarean operation not therefore a logical conclusion to pregnancy for women of this millennium?

A Cesarean Section Can Be Scheduled
Few of us can get through a day in our modern world without a watch and a diary. Our daily lives are ruled by time and by carefully planned appointments. Choosing the date of the baby’s birthday has considerable appeal in this context for some women. We have become accustomed to leading our daily lives in a way that pays little heed to the natural flow of events. For example, modern technology allows us, in many respects, to disregard the divisions of night and day or the seasons of the year.

A Cesarean Section Is Quick In Comparison To Most Labors
We live in an age when the quicker something can be achieved the more advantageous it is perceived to be – whether this is making a cup of instant coffee, washing the laundry, travelling from a to b, or sending a communication. In our society time is money.

A Cesarean Section Is Perceived As Pain-Free
The operation is carried out under anesthetic and therefore there are no pains of labor to be endured. The “wake me up when it’s all over” scenario appeals to many women.

A Cesarean Section Avoids The Need For A Baby To Make The Journey Through The Birth Canal
Many women worry about how something as large as a baby could possibly fit through such a small opening. Some women fear the baby may be ‘squashed’ and damaged in the process.

A Cesarean Section Is Clean
The antiseptic nature of the operating theater is very different from the physical exertion of labor. No sweat and tears. The mess of amniotic fluid and blood is dealt with out of sight. Urine is catheterized. There are no lumps of poo emerging from the rectum, pushed out by the baby’s head as it journey’s down the vagina. Is this not more in keeping with our aseptic society?

A Cesarean Section Is Clinical
…and therein perhaps lies its biggest attraction. A planned cesarean section avoids the necessity for the many probings of the vagina, which have become routine during what is termed ‘normal’ birth today. A woman can more easily maintain a degree of professionalism and detachment in her relationship with her carers since the private areas of her body are left unmolested and unsullied.

http://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/caesarean-section-or-vaginal-birth#.Uke72tKBmaU

Vaginal Delivery

A vaginal delivery is the birth of offspring (babies in humans) in mammals through the vagina. It is the natural method of birth for all mammals except monotremes, which lay eggs into the external environment. The average length of a hospital stay for a normal vaginal delivery is 36–48 hours or with an episiotomy (a surgical cut to widen the vaginal canal) is 48–60 hours, whereas a C-section is 72–108 hours. Different types of vaginal deliveries have different terms:

-A spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) occurs when a pregnant female goes into labor without the use of drugs or techniques to induce labor, and delivers her baby in the normal manner, without forceps, vacuum extraction, or a cesarean section.

-An assisted vaginal delivery (AVD) occurs when a pregnant female goes into labor (with or without the use of drugs or techniques to induce labor), and requires the use of special instruments such as forceps or a vacuum extractor to deliver her baby vaginally.

-An instrumental vaginal delivery (IVD) is another term for an assisted vaginal delivery.

-An induced vaginal delivery (also IVD) is a term for a delivery involving labor induction, where drugs or manual techniques are used to initiate the process of labor. Use of the term "IVD" in this context is less common than for instrumental vaginal delivery.

-A normal vaginal delivery (NVD) is a term for a vaginal delivery, whether or not assisted or induced, usually used in statistics or studies to contrast with a delivery by cesarean section.

Note: Use of the term IVD is best avoided because of its duplicate meanings.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginal_delivery

Menstruation

Normal Menstrual Cycle- Topic Overview

What is a menstrual cycle?

The menstrual cycle is the series of changes a woman's body goes through to prepare for a pregnancy. About once a month, the uterus grows a new lining (endometrium) to get ready for a fertilized egg. When there is no fertilized egg to start a pregnancy, the uterus sheds its lining. This is the monthly menstrual bleeding (also called menstrual period) that women have from their early teen years until menopause, around age 50.

The menstrual cycle is from Day 1 of bleeding to Day 1 of the next time of bleeding. Although the average cycle is 28 days, it is normal to have a cycle that is shorter or longer.

Girls usually start having menstrual periods between the ages of 11 and 14. Women usually start to have fewer periods between ages 39 and 51. Women in their 40s and teens may have cycles that are longer or change a lot. If you are a teen, your cycles should even out with time. If you are nearing menopause, your cycles will probably get longer and then will stop.

Talk to your doctor if you notice any big change in your cycle. It’s especially important to check with your doctor if you have three or more menstrual periods that last longer than 7 days or are very heavy. Also call if you have bleeding between your periods or pelvic pain that is not from your period.

What controls the menstrual cycle?

Your hormones control your menstrual cycle. During each cycle, your brain's hypothalamus and pituitary gland send hormone signals back and forth with your ovaries. These signals get the ovaries and uterus ready for a pregnancy.

The hormones estrogen and progesterone play the biggest roles in how the uterus changes during each cycle.

Estrogen builds up the lining of the uterus.

Progesterone increases after an ovary releases an egg (ovulation) at the middle of the cycle. This helps the estrogen keep the lining thick and ready for a fertilized egg.

A drop in progesterone (along with estrogen) causes the lining to break down. This is when your period starts.

A change in hormone levels can affect your cycle or fertility. For example, teens tend to have low or changing progesterone levels. This is also true for women close to menopause. That is why teens and women in their 40s may have heavy menstrual bleeding and cycles that change in length.

Other things can change your cycle. They include birth control pills, low body fat, losing a lot of weight, or being overweight. Stress or very hard exercise also can change your cycle. Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period.

http://women.webmd.com/tc/normal-menstrual-cycle-topic-overview

10 Weird Pregnancy Facts

Whether you're a woman who hasn't yet been pregnant or a man who wants to better understand what an expectant mother really goes through, these 10 things that occur while a woman is pregnant are all strange and often disturbing. These are the weird things that happen during pregnancy that people probably won't tell you about.

 You Could Be Pregnant For Over A Year

Most pregnancies last for about 9 months and doctors are likely to induce labor if pregnancy goes on too long. That being said, it is possible to be pregnant for a whole year. The world's longest pregnancy lasted 375 days, strangely, the baby was only a little under seven pounds.
It certainly puts a whole new perspective on being a few weeks late, doesn't it?

 A Male Fetus Can Get Erections In The Womb

Most mothers don't like to think about their baby boys getting erections, even when they are teenagers, but the fact is that many baby boys get boners while they're still in the womb. In fact, babies of both sexes are known to masturbate in utero, but boys are the only ones who can be caught while aroused on the sonogram.

If having sex while pregnant seemed a little creepy before now, just imagine what your baby is doing while you make love.

 Your Entire Undercarriage Might Need Stitches

The last place any woman wants stitches is in her taint, but many mothers have to get that area closed up surgically. Nine out of ten women have some type of vaginal tearing after birth, but there are many degrees of tearing. Some tears only require a little care or a few stitches, but the really bad cases go from the vagina all the way to the anus. Some can even affect the muscles beyond your anus. On the upside, tearing that reaches the anus is somewhat rare and only affects one in one hundred mothers.
Massaging the area prior to child birth can reduce tearing, but even then, it won't completely stop tearing in most people.
Suddenly, getting a C-section started sounding a whole lot more appealing, huh? 

 You May Just Poop Yourself

During childbirth, it is extremely common for a woman to accidentally expel the contents of her bowels. There is a good reason for this –the muscles you use to push the baby out are the same ones you ordinarily use during a bowel movement. As if that weren't enough to get your sphincter ready to go, the baby directly pushes on the rectum as it makes its exit, helping to squeeze out anything near the exit.

In olden times, it was common for nurses to give enemas prior to labor, but this practice didn't end up stopping the mess from happening and often caused dehydration. These days, your doctors and nurses will be ready to help clean up the mess. In most cases, they won't even say anything about it so you won't know the difference.
It does make you think twice about filming the birth though, doesn't it? 

 You Really Will Glow

Saying a pregnant woman is glowing is a common expression, but most people chalk it up to the woman's excitement about becoming a mommy. As it turns out though, glowing skin is a very real thing for pregnant women. While you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body will increase by 50%. The extra blood ends up showing through the skin in many areas, particularly the cheeks.

On top of this, hormones cause the oil glands to become more active, resulting in a softer, shinier appearance. When the increased blood flow combines with shine, the result is a noticeable glow. 

 Your Sense of Smell Gets Better

During pregnancy, your sense of smell increases drastically, as does your sense of taste. Scientists hypothesize that this is to help pregnant mothers avoid eating small levels of toxins that might not be dangerous to an adult, but could be deadly to a fetus. As smoke, alcohol and coffee are all particularly noticeable to pregnant women, this theory certainly seems to be on the right path.

 Contractions Don't Stop After Birth

Most mothers will have contractions for the first few days after birth. The muscle cramps are the body's way of stopping excess blood loss. On the upside, if you give birth at the hospital, you'll still be pretty drugged up and will probably barely even notice. 

 You Don't Really Need To Eat For Two

Despite the widespread rumors that say pregnant women need to gain all the weight they can in order to birth a healthy baby, the truth is that most women will only need an extra 300 calories per day. That's equivalent to about one serving of yogurt and half a bagel. Most women only need to gain about 25 pounds throughout their entire pregnancy.

Of course, if you happen to be at the buffet and are having a tough time resisting the desserts section, go ahead and sneak a little extra. No one will give a pregnant woman a hard time if she pigs out.

 Your Feet Can Grow Up To One Full Shoe Size

If you're wondering why your feet will get so big when you only gain 25 pounds, it has to do with the excess pressure on your feet paired with relaxed ligaments in your body. As your pregnancy wears on, your body starts to release the tightness of its ligaments to help with the birthing process. Unfortunately for your shoes, this also means your feet start to lose their arch and stretch out on the sides. The flatter, wider shape of your feet will probably be temporary, but if they grew too much, the change could end up being permanent. If your feet do stay a bit larger, it certainly will serve as a great excuse to buy more shoes.

 The Father Might Show Symptoms of Pregnancy

It's surprisingly common for a father-to-be to start gaining weight, getting morning sickness and even feel cramps in his lower abdomen. The condition is known as a sympathetic pregnancy or the Couvade Syndrome, which comes from the french word couvee meaning "to hatch". 

http://www.oddee.com/item_97595.aspx
Read more at http://www.oddee.com/item_97595.aspx#AZOdv6HEf7xcOyoY.99

NEWS FOR PREGNANCY

SHOULD YOU LIFT WEIGHT DURING PREGNANCY?

We get experts to tell you what exercises can be done by expectant mothers, 
and what you should avoid.

Lea-Ann Ellison a 35-year-old bodybuilder from Los Angeles  sparked an online storm after posting photos of herself lifting heavy weights on Facebook — with her due date just two weeks away.

The story so far
Ellison's photo has already had more than 16,000 comments posted beneath it since it first appeared on September 15 — and the feedback has been mixed. While some appeared to support her decision, including several who claimed to be doctors, others were horrified. She took to Facebook, commenting, "I want to thank everyone for their kind and supportive responses! Haters will hate and it's ok. My life is not their life thank goodness! Lol! Again, thank you! It means so much to feel this much love from a community I adore."

Others who did it!
Ellison isn't the only workout loving mother-to-be to make headlines after her pregnancy regime came to light. Four years ago, Cambridgeshire fitness enthusiast Sarah-Jane Cousins hit the front pages after being pictured lifting 15kg dumbbells with just 11 days to go before her due date. Another mother criticised for continuing a tough fitness regime throughout her pregnancy was model Nell McAndrew who was stunned at the backlash she received after competing in a gruelling marathon while 20 weeks pregnant.

Expert advice
Dr Sudeshna Ray, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician, Jaslok Hospital, says, "Lifting weights are a good form of exercise to remain fit during pregnancy for those who are used to such activities majorly in her pre-pregnancy days. Starting this as a form of exercise in pregnancy is advisable only with very low weights, with proper breathing exercises. Also, one should not lift weights in supine position and not hold your breath.

This woman must be used to this sport and has maintained the same throughout the pregnancy and hence carried it out without side-effects. However, it is strongly recommended against such an endeavour if a woman is not used to it."

Dr Sudeshna adds, "Exercise during pregnancy is always encouraged, the goal of which should be to remain fit and maintain fitness levels rather than competitive sports or to achieve peak fitness levels."

Vinod Channa, celebrity fitness expert adds, "During pregnancy, exercise is necessary because it can help avoid a lot of medical problems like excess swelling, excess fat, stress, blood pressure, and keep this under control. A minimum moderate workout is medically good and allowed."

Munira Jawadwala Kawad, fitness and nutrition expert, Gold’s Gym India recommends, consulting a doctor before before beginning any exercise program. She adds, "Expectant mothers should start exercising gradually. Even five minutes a day is a good start if you've been inactive. Add five minutes each week until you reach 30 minutes."

Tips you can follow
Dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes and wear a supportive bra to protect your breasts.

Drink plenty of water to avoid overheating and dehydration.

Skip your exercises if you're sick.
Opt for a walk in an air-conditioned mall on hot, humid days.

Avoid decline position exercises, since the blood pressure is normally on a higher side during the first trimester, due to increase in the blood volume.

Haemoglobin levels drop, thus listen to your body, your fitness levels may not remain the same as pre-pregnancy.

Abdominal and back exercises are important.  They help with postural changes and stability and keep your body strong after the baby’s born, when you’ll have a lot of lifting to do. Since doing crunches on your back is not safe, thus switch to standing pelvic tilts or lying on your side or on your hands and knees; concentrate on bringing your navel toward your spine. You can also experiment with wall sits, side-lying bicep curls, side-lying lifts, side-lying lateral raises, and side-lying triceps extensions.

Stretching is critical. The third trimester is a great time to make stretching the focus of your fitness routine. Stretching is a great way to keep the blood flowing through your muscles, relieve tension, and keep your body supple. Here are a few stretches to explore: child’s pose, child’s kneel, tailor stretch, full back stretch and calf, ankle, and foot stretches.

Swimming helps to decrease the pressure on the joints during exercise. However, the intensity needs to be monitored.

Yoga is a great way to increase the oxygen uptake. There is an increase demand in oxygen supply to the growing tissues and baby. Also, oxygen helps in reducing pain during delivery.

Avoid heavy weights. During the third trimester, hormonal changes are thought to induce a greater laxity in joints, tendons, and ligaments in order to help accommodate the delivery of your new arrival. This makes you more susceptible to sprains and strains.

From about half way through the pregnancy, you should avoid any exercises that require you to lie on your back.


http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/1895437/report-should-you-lift-weights-during-pregnancy