Countdown To Birth-Baby Care

As your due date approaches, the days may seem to drag by and you probably feel uncomfortably large. As the expectant father, you'll be waiting for the telephone to ring with the call you've been waiting for. nnGetting Ready nnAlthough pregnancy is said to last 40 weeks, this is only a convenient method of calculation it's quite normal for a baby to be born any time between 38 and 42 weeks. If your baby hasn't been born by the official due date, don't worry. most doctors aren't in a hurry to induce a baby if the mother is healthy and there are no obvious problems, such as raised blood pressure. Stay active and arrange some outings and visits. It's much better for both of you and the baby than hanging around the house feeling apprehensive. nnPacking Your Hospital Bag nnIt's a good idea to have everything ready for your baby's arrival and your bag packed for the hospital three to four weeks before the due date, so that you are prepared for any eventuality. You will need to pack comfortable clothing, several pairs of underwear, toiletries, and other items, such as sanitary pads, diapers, and clothes for your baby, but ask your doctor or midwife if you're not sure. You might want to bring along extra pillows or a couple comfort aids as well. nnGetting Near Labor nnIn the few days before labor begins in earnest, you may notice some signs that indicate you haven't got much longer to wait. nnFeeling premenstrual nnYou may experience similar feelings to those before your period, such as a low, nagging backache. nnBraxton hicks nnYou may become more aware of the painless tightening's of the uterine wall. These are Braxton Hicks contractions, which can begin at around six months, and occur on and off during the last few weeks. nnMild diarrhea nnYou may have looser bowel movements as your system is affected by the increasing uterine activity. nnAbdominal lightening nnThere may be an easing of discomfort under your ribs a feeling of lightening as your baby's head engages in your pelvis. This may happen a week or two before the birth with a first baby, but just as often it doesn't happen until labor. nnBurst of energy nnMany women experience a sudden burst of energy even if they have been very tired and sluggish for several weeks previously. You may find you want to rush around making sure everything is ready for your baby's home coming, this is known as the nesting instinct. nnIrritability nnUnderstandably, you may become short tempered and impatient, with a definite sense that it's time pregnancy was over. nnThe Stages Of Labor nnLabor has three distinct stages. The first stage is when the uterine contractions pull the cervix open second stage from full dilation to when the baby is born, and third stage, until the placenta is delivered. nnThe first stage nnDuring the first stage of labor, contractions begin and are established, gradually becoming stronger and lasting longer; this stage can last up to 12 hours, or even longer with a first baby. The first stage has three phases, the latent phase is the longest, lasting around eight hours. This is when the cervix thins. Then there is the active phase, when the cervix is opened up wide, and finally the transitional phase, when the cervix reaches full dilatation, before pushing your baby out. You're most likely to need pain relief during the active phase, and you're likely to feel a burst of energy toward the end to take you through the second stage. nnThe second stage nnDuring the second stage of labor, your baby leaves the uterus and is pushed through the birth canal in to the outside world. This stage can take anything from a few minutes to two hours with a first baby, and can be exhausting. nnThe third stage nnThc delivery of thc placenta is the third and final stage of labor; it is almost painless, although you may feel some cramping like a severe period pain. Normally the third stage lasts 10-20 minutes. The placenta weighs about 1 lb (0.5kg) and is 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) in diameter.