Every woman hopes that her birth will go well, quickly and without incident. However, there are situations when emergency assistance is needed. Let's look at what is included in the obstetric care system. And when additional funds may be needed.
The concept of "obstetric care"
In medical sources, the following definition of the concept is given.
Obstetrics is a combination of medical, social and therapeutic measures that are carried out if necessary during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.
The Big Russian Encyclopedic Dictionary also contains a definition. It states that obstetric care is a whole chain of measures characterized by continuity. It is expressed in the fact that a woman is observed in a hospital during pregnancy, helps to give birth to a baby during childbirth, monitor the condition of the mother and baby in the postpartum period, and advise a nursing woman at home.
There are several methods of obstetric care. Let's consider them in more detail.
Episiotomy
In practice, obstetric care is the dissection of the perineum. Sometimes it is necessary for early delivery if there is a threat to the life of the child.
In addition, this procedure is prescribed for gluteal presentation of the fetus or when the child has a large head. Such an intervention will be required in preterm birth, when a woman is not able to control labor, with insufficient stretching of the skin around the vagina.
Fetal extraction
The service of childhood and obstetric aid identifies another method of helping women in labor. To do this, use forceps or vacuum extraction. The tool is used when the head has already entered the birth canal, and the vacuum can be used for prolonged labor, when the cervix is not fully open.
This method is also used according to indications for:
- inefficiency of attempts;
- the presence of deviations in the woman in labor or the fetus;
- gluteal presentation of the fetus;
- premature birth.
When applying forceps, a woman in labor is administered pain medication. The child’s head is wrapped around them and, gently sipping, they are brought out.
A vacuum is a suction cup that is brought to the baby's head through the vagina. During attempts, the child is helped to go outside.
Birth stimulation
The most popular method of obstetric care is the artificial induction of labor.
Indications for applying the method are as follows:
- delay in childbirth, detection of abnormalities in the fetus or placental dysfunction;
- situations of disturbed pressure in the woman in childbirth or other dangerous situations for the life of the mother and child.
The implementation of this method is possible in three ways:
- The introduction into the cervix of a drug that softens its walls. Effective after about an hour. However, during the first birth it may not be effective.
- Amniotic fluid puncture. The procedure is painless, after which stronger contractions begin.
- Intravenous administration of a drug that causes uterine contractions through a dropper.
In some cases, they can combine different methods and methods of obstetric care.
During the artificial stimulation of labor, their duration may be shorter, because contractions are more intense and the gaps between them are shorter. The child advances through the birth canal faster.