Care in Normal Birth (WHO, 1996, 60 p.): (introduction...)

Care in Normal Birth (WHO, 1996, 60 p.)

(introduction...)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Preamble

1.2 Background

1.3 Risk Approach in Maternity Care

1.4 Definition of Normal Birth

1.5 Aim of the Care in Normal Birth, Tasks of the Caregiver

1.6 The Caregiver in Normal Birth

2. GENERAL ASPECTS OF CARE IN LABOUR

2.1 Assessing the Well-being of the Woman during Labour

2.2 Routine Procedures

2.3 Nutrition

2.4 Place of Birth

2.5 Support in Childbirth

2.6 Labour Pain

(introduction...)

2.6.1 Non-pharmacological methods of pain relief

2.6.2 Pharmacological pain relief in labour

2.7 Monitoring the Fetus during Labour

(introduction...)

2.7.1 Assessment of amniotic fluid

2.7.2 Monitoring the fetal heart rate

2.7.3 Fetal scalp blood examination

2.7.4 Comparison of auscultation and electronic fetal monitoring

2.8 Cleanliness

3. CARE DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOUR

3.1 Assessing the Start of Labour

3.2 Position and Movement during the First Stage of Labour

3.3 Vaginal Examination

3.4 Monitoring the Progress of Labour

3.5 Prevention of Prolonged Labour

(introduction...)

3.5.1 Early amniotomy

3.5.2 Intravenous infusion of oxytocin

3.5.3 Intramuscular oxytocin administration

4. CARE DURING THE SECOND STAGE OF LABOUR

4.1 Physiological Background

4.2 The Onset of the Second Stage

4.3 The Onset of Pushing during the Second Stage

4.4 The Procedure of Pushing during the Second Stage

4.5 Duration of the Second Stage

4.6 Maternal Position during the Second Stage

4.7 Care of the Perineum

(introduction...)

4.7.1 “Guarding the perineum” during delivery

4.7.2 Perineal tear and episiotomy

5. CARE DURING THE THIRD STAGE OF LABOUR

5.1 Background

5.2 Prophylactic use of Oxytocics

5.3 Controlled Cord Traction

5.4 Active Versus Expectant Management of the Third Stage

5.5 Timing of Cord Clamping

5.6 Immediate Care of the Newborn

5.7 Care of the Mother Immediately after Delivery of the Placenta

6. CLASSIFICATION OF PRACTICES IN NORMAL BIRTH

(introduction...)

6.1 Practices which are Demonstrably Useful and Should be Encouraged

6.2 Practices which are Clearly Harmful or Ineffective and Should be Eliminated

6.3 Practices for which Insufficient Evidence Exists to Support a Clear Recommendation and which Should be Used with Caution while Further Research Clarifies the Issue

6.4 Practices which are Frequently Used Inappropriately

7. REFERENCES

8. LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

SAFE MOTHERHOOD RESOURCE LIST

BACK COVER

(introduction...)

SAFE MOTHERHOOD

MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH/
SAFE MOTHERHOOD UNIT
FAMILY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
GENEVA

Practical Guide

WHO/FRH/MSM/96.24
DISTR.: GENERAL
ORIG.: ENGLISH

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The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations with primary responsibility for international health matters and public health. Through this organization, which was created in 1948, the health professions of some 189 countries exchange their knowledge and experience with the aim of making possible the attainment by all citizens of the world by the year 2000 of a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life.

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