Chapter 13
The birth of the placenta: stage 3 of labor
In this chapter:
Check the mother’s physical signs. ........................................................................... 223
Bleeding after birth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Watch for heavy bleeding before
the placenta comes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Watch for signs the placenta has
separated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
Help the mother push out
the placenta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Check the placenta and cord . . . . . . . . 233
Watch for bleeding after the
placenta is born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Womb stays soft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Torn vagina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Shock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
What to do for the baby............................................................................................... 240
Keep the baby warm and dry . . . . . . . . 240 Reflexes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Check the baby’s health . . . . . . . . . . . . 240 Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Breathing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 Help the baby breastfeed . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Heartbeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Muscle tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
222