The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin

Author:Penny Simkin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harvard Common Press
Published: 2017-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

6

TESTS, TECHNOLOGIES INTERVENTIONS, AND PROCEDURES

She was now a full-on tube-o-saurus—the IV and Pitocin tube in her vein, the epidural tube in her back, the urine catheter, baby heartbeat and contraction monitors up inside her, and a mask to super-oxygenate her blood so the baby could get more oxygen. The nurse checked her cervix and said she was now at 4 centimeters—she had been at 3 centimeters 6 hours earlier. I said, “All that crap for 1 centimeter?”

—KEVIN, FIRST TIME FATHER

DURING THE LAST MONTH OF PREGNANCY, women usually see their caregivers once a week. This is a time when problems that can affect labor may surface for the first time, and their detection now may help the caregiver plan how to care for the mother during labor. Following are descriptions of some common late-pregnancy tests and why and how they are done. This information cannot substitute for discussing the “Key Questions” (see here) with her caregiver but may provide background on which to base your questions. Omitted here are routine tests given in early pregnancy or at every prenatal checkup.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.