Birthing
Written by Jack Porter - Trainee Underwriter - Casualty
Pregnancy describes the period in which a fetus develops inside a woman's womb or uterus. During the 9 months of this process, you can be cared for by a midwife, GP or obstetrician. You can give birth in a public or private hospital, a birth centre or at home, depending on whether your pregnancy is high or low risk and where you live.
To reduce exposures, those involved in the practice should ensure they:
communicate clearly
adherence to protocols
have proper training
record documentation accurately
respond timely to interventions
Throughout pregnancy, there are various aspects of medical care put to the test. Each stage is essential to guarantee a safe and healthy delivery when the time comes and protect the mother and child after the delivery. These stages of pregnancy are known as:
1. Antenatal - the care you receive before giving birth to your baby. It includes:
Pregnancy exams, tests, and other pregnancy-related healthcare.
Antenatal care helps keep both you and your baby healthy.
Routine scans and tests are part of your antenatal care.
You will need to give informed consent for any tests and procedures.
2. Intrapartum - the portion of pregnancy that occurs during labour. It is the time period from the onset of labor through delivery of the placenta. This is a dangerous time for both mother and child if medical staff are not prepared and diligent. Nurses should:
Monitor and time contractions during labor and delivery.
Administer epidurals (pain management) and other medications.
Assist the doctor in inducing labor by administering Pitocin or Cytotec.
Monitor the vital signs of the mother and the heart rate of the baby.
Communicate with the doctor to provide timely and accurate information.
Identify complications and notify the doctor.
3. Postpartum - occurs after the birth of the baby.
Medical malpractice of midwives and nurses during childbirth includes failure to:
monitor the baby's heart rate
respond to birth complications
treat infections
properly monitor mother’s health
handle umbilical cord correctly
medicate correctly
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