The 'occiput anterior' position is ideal for birth - it means that the baby is lined up so as to fit through your pelvis as easily as possible. The baby is head down, facing your back, with his back on one side of the front of your tummy. In this position, the baby's head is easily 'flexed', ie his chin tucked onto his chest, so that the smallest part of his head will be applied to the cervix first. The diameter of his head which has to fit through the pelvis is approximately 9.5 cm, and the circumference approximately 27.5cm. The position is usually 'Left Occiput Anterior' or LOA - occasionally the baby may be Right Occiput Anterior or ROA.
The 'occiput posterior' (OP) position is not so good. This means the baby is still head down, but facing your tummy. Mothers of babies in the 'posterior' position are more likely to have long and painful labours as the baby usually has to turn all the way round to facing the back in order to be born. He cannot fully flex his head in this position, and diameter of his head which has to enter the pelvis is approximately 11.5cm, circumference 35.5cm.
If your baby is in the occiput posterior position in late pregnancy, he may not engage (descend into the pelvis) before labour starts. The fact that he doesn't engage means that it's harder for labour to start naturally, so your baby are more likely to be 'late'. Braxton-Hicks contractions before labour starts may be especially painful, with lots of pressure on the bladder, as the baby tries to rotate while it is entering the pelvis. Be aware that if you accept induction on the basis of being postdates, and your baby is in a suboptimal position, you may have a tough haul ahead of you.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Apgar Score
The Apgar score was devised in 1952 by Dr. Virginia Apgar as a simple and repeatable method to quickly and summarily assess the health of newborn children immediately after birth.[1][2] Apgar was an anesthesiologist who developed the score in order to ascertain the effects of obstetric anesthesia on babies.
The Apgar score is determined by evaluating the newborn baby on five simple criteria on a scale from zero to two, then summing up the five values thus obtained. The resulting Apgar score ranges from zero to 10. The five criteria (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration)
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score
The Apgar score is determined by evaluating the newborn baby on five simple criteria on a scale from zero to two, then summing up the five values thus obtained. The resulting Apgar score ranges from zero to 10. The five criteria (Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration)
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apgar_score
Hydrocephalus = Water on the brain.
The diagnostic signs and symptoms of hydrocephalus depend upon the age of the person:
•In infants the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus is usually an abnormally large head. (That is one reason a baby's head should be measured at every well-baby visit). Symptoms of hydrocephalus in an infant may include vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, an inability to look upwards, and seizures.
•In older children and adults there is no head enlargement from hydrocephalus, but symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, blurred vision. There may be problems with balance, delayed development in walking or talking, and poor coordination.
Irritability, fatigue, seizures, and personality changes such as an inability to concentrate or remember things may also develop. Drowsiness and double vision are common symptoms as hydrocephalus progresses.
Treatment of hydrocephalus involves the insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a oneway valve. The shunt is inserted into the ventricular system of the brain to divert the flow of CSF into another area of the body, where the CSF can drain and be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The prognosis (outlook) with hydrocephalus depends the cause and the timing of the diagnosis and treatment. Many children treated for hydrocephalus are able to lead normal lives with few, if any, limitations. In some cases, cognitive impairments in language and non-language functions may occur. Problems with shunts such as infection or malfunction require revision of the shunt.
Hydrocephalus is sometimes called "water on the brain." The word "hydrocephalus" in Greek literally means "watery head."
•In infants the most obvious sign of hydrocephalus is usually an abnormally large head. (That is one reason a baby's head should be measured at every well-baby visit). Symptoms of hydrocephalus in an infant may include vomiting, sleepiness, irritability, an inability to look upwards, and seizures.
•In older children and adults there is no head enlargement from hydrocephalus, but symptoms may include headache, nausea, vomiting and, sometimes, blurred vision. There may be problems with balance, delayed development in walking or talking, and poor coordination.
Irritability, fatigue, seizures, and personality changes such as an inability to concentrate or remember things may also develop. Drowsiness and double vision are common symptoms as hydrocephalus progresses.
Treatment of hydrocephalus involves the insertion of a shunt to let the excess fluid exit and relieve the pressure on the brain. The shunt is a flexible, plastic tube with a oneway valve. The shunt is inserted into the ventricular system of the brain to divert the flow of CSF into another area of the body, where the CSF can drain and be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The prognosis (outlook) with hydrocephalus depends the cause and the timing of the diagnosis and treatment. Many children treated for hydrocephalus are able to lead normal lives with few, if any, limitations. In some cases, cognitive impairments in language and non-language functions may occur. Problems with shunts such as infection or malfunction require revision of the shunt.
Hydrocephalus is sometimes called "water on the brain." The word "hydrocephalus" in Greek literally means "watery head."
Friday, July 2, 2010
Books to Read
Natural Birth The Bradley Way by Susan McCutcheon Rosegg
Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr Robert Bradley
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Birth Book by Dr Sears
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Baby Book by Dr Sears
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
Husband Coached Childbirth by Dr Robert Bradley
Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
The Birth Book by Dr Sears
The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth by Henci Goer
Birthing From Within by Pam England
The Baby Book by Dr Sears
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by La Leche League International
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