An Art of Parenting

Archive for the ‘Pregnancy’ Category

The normal rectal temperature of new born ranges between 35.5⁰ C and 37.5^o C. Since no single temperature measurement can determine the adequacy of the thermal protection, the serial recording of rectal, skin and air temperature during the care of the babies is helpful in determining the normality of any single temperature. Usually the skin temperature is the same or than the rectal temperature it is possibly duet to heat loss having been limited by environmental heating and further increase in thermal temperature results to fever which is possibly due to other heating and not sepsis.

On the other hand, if the skin is cooler than rectal temperature the fever could be due to hypermetabolism or due to infection. Thus it is very important to monitor even environment temperature. If the incubator temperature is more than 2 to 3^o C cooler than the body skin temperature, it is likely that the infant is using up his energy stores in trying to maintain his body temperature, at a normal level. Thus all above reasons serve to understand the needs for knowledgeable use of thermal measurements in manipulations to the particular infant under special nursery care.

The first stage of labour lasts twelve to twenty-four hours with a first baby and usually less with subsequent children. During these hours the contractions of the uterus increase in strength and come more frequently, until by the end of the first stage they may be occurring every three to five minutes. The cervix or neck of the womb undergoes several important changes. First it is drawn up so that it no longer projects into the vagina, then it gradually opens or dilates. By the end of the first stage the opening in the cervix is large enough to allow the baby’s head to pass into the vagina.

The cervix itself is converted into one continuous cavity. In the majority of labours the membrane rupture and the waters escape towards the end of the first stage, through they may rapture earlier, and in a few cases they do not rupture before the birth of the baby. The baby mat then be born completely enclosed in the membrane or “caul” an even which was once thought to be an omen of great good fortune. When the baby’s head passes through the cervix and into the vagina the second stage of labour begins. At once, the picture changes.

The stretching of the vagina and the surrounding structures by the pressure of the head brings into action a reflex or automatic mechanism. With each contraction of the uterus the expulsive muscles of the abdomen and chest contract as well and the mother feels an impulse to press or bear down to expel the baby. As she presses with each contraction the baby’s head advances farther and the tissues gradually stretch until the head escapes from the vagina, to be followed at once or with the next contraction by the shoulders and the rest of the body.

As a general rule every woman passes blood from her vagina after a gap of 28 days and the bleeding lasts for about 4 days. Regular onset of menses and cessation are indicators to fine health of a woman. In some cases menses may start even a bit earlier or lather than a gap of 28 days and may last for less or more than 4 days, but, once the cycle gets established there should be no disturbance as to the start and duration of monthly periods. Any deviation, except the marginal one, points to ill-health or some diseases which should be quickly investigated, if menses are irregular, there are more than one bleedings or excessive or scanty bleedings, much pain, weakness, malaise, rundown condition, anemia etc. Back pain and pain in public region are almost common symptoms to all the ladies.

It should be borne in mind that all intercourses do not and cannot result in conception. Ideal time for conception is believed to be within 3-4 days of end of menses and the eggs, after fertilization, remain active and eager to meet the sperms. Life of eggs is said to be 3-4 days at the most or 24 hours on the lower side. There are countless eggs which fertilize and travel, via fallopian tubes to the uterus, but only one of such eggs is able to establish contact with the male sperm and rest of which get destroyed. If however, the sperm fails to meet the ovum, no conception can take place. In short, conception is most likely to take place within 3-4 days of end of the monthly menstrual period. If husband and wife conjugate during this period, there are brighter chances for the woman to conceive.