The First Labor Contraction

Defining premature birth is much more than just a denotative phrase. It is not just a preterm birth, or a baby born early. It is a life-changing event, and something that affects millions of people worldwide. The intense quiet room with heart monitors beeping, as parents see their baby and are devastated. Loved ones can not feed them or kiss them nor, can they not hold them or hug them. They do not get the same experience as others. Little miracles lay inside these cubes where multiple wires are help keeping them alive. A place where prayers happen, and where all hope for the best. Nobody knows the true pain and struggle behind a preterm birth and it needs to be discussed. Prematurity is a serious conflict; therefore, it needs more awareness as many families are facing this tough situation.

The original due date for this unborn child was not until three months from this night, however, the doctors had the situation under control. When my mom went into labor prematurely, they had the ability to perform a Cesarean section and give birth to my little sister. This was only the beginning of the adventure for three pounds one ounce Elisabeth Marie Ballard. The first stop on her journey was the NICU to be placed in an incubator to be kept warm and monitored for developmental problems. During the first weeks of her life, she was fed breast milk through a tube that ran from her nose to her stomach. After two months in the NICU incubator, she was finally gained enough weight to go home. This exciting moment did come with a few strings attached. Her weight and vitals still needed to be monitored, so the hospital sent home a machine that allowed them to receive all of her vitals in real time. Her size and prematurity have never stopped her from leading a regular life. Thanks to the technology advancements in the medical field, my sister survived her prematurity and is now leading the life of an annoying six-year-old sibling. Libby, as we call her, transcended the process of natural selection and childhood mortality, and her life is a miracle. The credit can be given to the technology and the people who wield the knowledge

Describing her child's birth she'd experience, I had the privileges to interview Jakedra Hightower, who is a mother of a 3 year old boy name. Ms. Hightower, explained her stages and different procedures it took to deliver her baby boy. During her first stage (The first stage begins when you start having contractions that cause progressive changes in your cervix and ends when your cervix is fully dilated) she stated that she was on her way to the grocery store, and soon as she sat in her car, intolerable contractions inevitably rushed through her body. She then stated, ''I was very fortunate that I didn't actually leave my house. I don't know what I would of done if I was on the road with my severe contractions.'' When she arrived at the hospital

It was an ordinary winter day in the city of Lynn, Massachusetts. As people headed to work and school they looked forward to the adventures the weekend would bring the next day. However, not so far away, Henry Rosario and his wife, Wendy Contreras, waited anxiously in their apartment knowing that the moment that would change their lives forever was near. “As my first daughter it was very painful, scary, and anxious” (Contreras interview). After waiting for what seemed like forever, they decided to go to Salem Hospital. Once they arrived, however, they were told by the doctor that she was not was not ready to deliver yet and was sent back home. At home, Wendy paced around the living room in agony waiting for the moment to come so she could get

“No we need to go now. Get in the truck,” he instructed me. I reluctantly walked out, telling the kids we will be back soon. So we drove to the doctor, got the news, and drove home. Immediately I walked out to the barn to start cleaning. There hasn’t been a dust storm in weeks, so I was hoping it would last a little longer. I had rejected going to the doctor for so long. I was already a few months into pregnancy. I didn’t know how I could hide it from my children but I didn’t want them to worry about

On the day of November 30,2000, Jennifer and Travis Vineyard’s second son, Hayden Matthew, was born inside of a room at the University of Tennessee Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. I was born in November, but my parents were expecting me to be born in January of 2001, making me a premature. I was very small as a baby with only being 3 pounds and 15 ounces. I was the smallest baby in my family. As a baby I was hard to handle with not being able to breath on my own, my family was being hopeful that I would survive, the doctors weren’t. And with a little bit of praying, I was able to start breathing on my own.

During the first stage of labor cervical effacement and dilation occur. This stage begins with the appearance of true labor contractions and end when the cervix is completely dilated at ten centimeters and the cervix is completely effaced at 100%. This stage accounts for the longest duration for both nulliparous and parous women. The first stage of labor contains three sub phases the latent, active, and transitional phase. The latent phase occurs from the onset of labor until the cervix is dilated to about three to five centimeters. This stage will vary in length among different women. The fetus changes position and cervical effacement are also occurring during this phase. The woman is usually excited and sociable during this phase. The active phase occurs when the cervix begins to dilate more rapidly and is dilated to between four and six centimeters. The slower the transition between the latent and active stage the safer the delivery, this doesn’t usually happen in spontaneous labor. This phase continues until the cervix is dilated to about seven or eight centimeters. During this phase the fetus internally rotates and comes down into the pelvis. The women’s discomfort is usually increased in this phase as the pace speeds up. The transitional phase occurs when the cervix is dilated to seven to eight centimeters until it is fully dilated. Bloody discharge usually increases when the cervix is fully dilated. The transitional phase is short but very intense, with strong

I sucked in my breath, held it for as long as I could, tasting it with my tongue before letting it out. The air was stale again. A baby. We'd been through this before, each of us. Flabby and soundless or howling in pain, our last two had luckily died within hours. There had been a time when hope wasn't a sharp knife and babies were coveted. I am the one that remembers but they won’t listen. What is left of that time? Nothing, but me.

I can honestly say going through labor was the most painful thing I had ever experienced. Once Freddrick finally did arrived I knew that I would love him unconditionally for the rest of my life. He was just as precious as he could be and didn’t have a worry in this world. I didn’t know the type of mother I would be, but I was determined to be a different type of teenage mother. I wanted to show everyone I might be young with a son, but I made sure Freddrick was taken care of financially, Freddrick came first in my life at all times, Freddrick had disciplined in his life, and that he would know that mommy would always love him regardless of what happens through life.

The nurse must be mindful of each intervention initiated and the possible benefits of the intervention against its potential harmful effects for both mother and fetus. Not providing basic comfort measures for the mother can cause serious physical and emotional problems and could lead to possible fatigue and feelings of failure from the mother. The priority of this nursing intervention is to provide the mother and fetus with the least discomfort as possible and

I just wanted to let you know that I'm half ways into my case study but as of Wednesday night I brought my wife to the hospital. She went into labor. For the past few days prior to labor we have being going to the hospital for check ups. I want to do my best on this assignment, but I am wondering if I can possibly more time due to my

Intermittent contractions allow relaxation of the uterine muscle and resumption of blood flow to and from the placenta. The upper two thirds of the uterus contracts actively to push the fetus down. While the upper portion is pushing, the lower third of the uterus and cervix remain passive, promoting downward passage of the fetus. The uterine muscle in the upper portion of the uterus remains short with each contraction, while the lower portion becomes longer. This action

I will never forget the moment my labor began, the moment that marked that step in my journey into motherhood. I can remember everything about it so clearly. My mom, fiancé, and I woke up early Friday morning to make our way to Western Missouri Medical Center. I stood in front of the mirror looking at my belly knowing it would be my last time standing in that bathroom with my baby inside of me still. It was a bittersweet moment that I cherished as long as I possibly could. I was set to be induced that morning and very excited, yet a little bit nervous. I had no idea what to expect. I’d been waiting a very long 37 weeks to finally meet this precious human that had been growing inside me. I had ideas of what he might look like, and what the experience might be like, however nothing could have prepared me for what was in store over the next few days.

Mother: I have a case of moderate arthritis from playing tennis and gardening, so my doctors were concerned about my body's ability to carry the pregnancy to full term and handle the full ordeal of the delivery. The birth of our child took a long time. I was in labor for nearly four days. We hired a lovely midwife who has specialized knowledge in handling special births, but after the second day, we decided to load me up in the car and head for the hospital. It was frightening, I suppose, but I also felt a clarity of purpose. I really wanted this baby and I knew that the baby's best chance and my best chance for survival was for me to stay calm and coherent as possible, for the sake of my family.

I wake up in a hospital room. My belly has grown, it’s almost due. The T.V. is playing, hanging on the wall, my face is on it. A news anchor is chirping excitedly about my heroic escape. I don’t feel heroic. I don’t want to be in this strange place, I don’t want that pill, please nurse go away (please please I don’t belong here this is not my home) this is not my baby, I don’t want to be here. A strange realization dawns upon me.