Parturition means childbirth. Childbirth is the culmination of pregnancy, during which a baby grows inside a woman’s uterus. Childbirth is also called labor. Pregnant humans go into labor roughly nine months after conception.
Stages
Dilation
The first stage of parturition starts with the onset of labor. It continues until the cervix is fully dilated. This dilation is divided into two phases:
- Latent phase. The cervix is 0 to 4 centimeters (cm) dilated.
- Active phase. The cervix is 4 to 10 cm dilated.
The latent phase takes about six hours for a woman who’s giving birth for the first time. It takes around five hours for a woman who’s given birth previously. For some women, the latent phase may last 8 to 12 hours.
During the active phase, it’s expected that the cervix will dilate at a rate of about 1 cm per hour for a woman who’s giving birth for the first time. For a woman who’s previously had a vaginal delivery, the rate is typically about 2 cm per hour.
Expulsion
The second stage of parturition starts at full dilation and continues until birth. This stage also has two phases:
- Passive phase. The baby’s head moves down through the vagina.
- Active phase. The mother feels a need to push, or contract the abdominal muscles in time with uterine contractions.
The active phase lasts about 45 minutes for a woman who’s having her first baby. For women who’ve had a vaginal delivery, the active phase lasts about 30 minutes.
Stage 2 ends with the birth of the baby. At this point, the umbilical cord is clamped, and breastfeeding is often encouraged to help with stage 3.
Placental
The third stage of parturition starts after birth and ends with the delivery of the afterbirth (placenta and membranes).
If the doctor takes an active role — including gently pulling on the placenta — stage 3 typically takes around five minutes. If the placenta is delivered without assistance, stage 3 can last around 30 minutes.
Complications during childbirth
Sometimes there are complications during each of the three parturition stages.
Some of the most common complications include:
Fetal distress
Fetal distress typically refers to a slowdown in the baby’s heart rate. A doctor usually addresses this by using a vacuum extractor or forceps to speed up the birth. If that’s unsuccessful, a cesarean delivery might be called for. This is a surgery to deliver the baby.
Nuchal cord
This is when the umbilical cord wraps around the baby’s neck. Although a nuchal cord doesn’t mean danger for the baby, it could become a problem if the mother can’t push the baby out and a vacuum extractor or forceps are unsuccessful. A cesarean delivery might be the best treatment for this situation.
Breech
Human babies should be delivered with their head down. A breech pregnancy is when the baby is positioned feet down, bottom down, or sideways. Sometimes a doctor can reposition the baby manually. Sometimes the solution is a cesarean delivery.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
Parturition is another word for childbirth. Although not every woman has the same pregnancy journey, they will go through these basic stages. Having experienced medical personnel to guide you through parturition is always a wise decision in case complications arise.
Most of the babies are born after perfectly normal and uneventful labours, sometimes things don’t go according to plan. homeopathic knowledge can help.
The short answer is yes. Homeopathy has an excellent safety record. Its remedies are non-toxic and, when correctly chosen, stimulate the body to heal and correct its own problems. It has a 200 year history of use during pregnancy and childbirth, without reports of harm or injury.
Homoeopathic Remedies
Aconite napellus : Contractions feel violent and intense, producing a state of fear and anxiety. Restless, agitated and fearful that may die. Baby appears shocked and frightened after birth.
Arnica montana – Feel bruised, sore, as if beaten during labour. Don’t want people to touch. Relieves soft tissue damage (perineum or abdomen) following birth or caesarian section – reduces swelling, bruising, and risk of infection, and promotes healing. Useful for caput or cephalohaematoma of newborn.
Arsenicum album – Anxious restlessness leading to physical exhaustion. Chilly with anxiety. Perineal infections following childbirth.
Bellis perennis – For bruised, sore pelvic or abdominal tissues following birth or Caesarean section. Bellis often follows well after Arnica, or when Arnica fails to relieve the discomfort or pain.
Caulophyllum – False labour where pains fly about the abdomen. Rigid cervix with pricking pains – cervix fails to dilate. Contractions become irregular and cease.
Cimicifuga racemosa – Cervix spasms and becomes rigid on examination. Uterus ascends high into the abdomen during contraction. Pains fly from side to side of the abdomen. Irregular but painful contractions. (Note: Caulophyllum and Cimicifuga can be alternated 15 minutes apart when contractions are irregular and it is hard to determine which remedy is needed. Cease upon contractions becoming established and regular).
Chamomilla – The pains are unbearable, even early in the labour. Extremely irritable or angry. No matter what is offered or done, it is not right. Hands and feet cold.
Gelsemium sempervirens – Weakness and exhaustion – difficult to support weight. Muscles tremble with the effort of movement. Contractions weaken and cease.
Hypericum perforatum – Shooting nerve pains following perineal damage or caesarian section.
Kali-carbonicum – Irregular contractions. Pain of contractions felt mainly in the back (ie – with posterior postion babies). Feels as if back may break, much better for firm pressure. Fearful of dying.
Kali-phosphoricum – Physical exhaustion either during or after labour where few other symptoms may be present (compare with Ars).
Pulsatilla pratensis – Changeable and erratic contractions. Very restless. Weepy and wanting support and comfort from others. Happy to be held. Flushed face.e.t.c
