252 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
6. Baby’s heartbeat (fetal heartbeat) and movement
After 5 months, listen for the baby’s heartbeat and check for
movement. You can try putting your ear against the belly, but it
may be hard to hear. It will be easier if you get a fetoscope.
(Or make one. Fired clay or hard wood works well.)
Fetoscope
If the baby’s heartbeat is heard loudest
below the navel in the last month, the
baby’s head is down and will probably
be born head first.
If the heartbeat is heard loudest above
the navel, his head is probably up.
It may be a breech birth.
A baby’s heart beats about twice as fast as an adult’s. If you have a watch with
a second hand, count the baby’s heartbeats. From 120 to 160 per minute is normal.
If less than 120, something is wrong. (Or perhaps you counted wrong or heard the
mother’s heartbeat. Check her pulse. The baby’s heartbeat is often hard to hear. It takes
practice.)
7. Preparing the mother for labor
As the birth approaches, see the mother more often. If she has other children, ask
her how long labor lasted and if she had any problems. Perhaps suggest that she lie
down to rest after eating, twice a day for an hour each time. Talk with her about ways to
make the birth easier and less painful (see the next pages). You may want to have her
practice deep, slow breathing, so that she can do this during the contractions of labor.
Explain to her that relaxing during contractions, and resting between them, will help her
save strength, reduce pain, and speed labor.
If there is any reason to suspect the labor may result in problems you cannot
handle, send the mother to a health center or hospital to have her baby. Be sure
she is near the hospital by the time labor begins.
HOW A MOTHER CAN TELL THE DATE
WHEN SHE IS LIKELY TO GIVE BIRTH:
Start with the date the last menstrual period began, subtract 3 months, and
add 7 days. For example, suppose your last period began May 10.
May 10 minus 3 months is February 10,
plus 7 days is February 17.
The baby is likely to be born around February 17.
8. Keeping records
To compare your findings from month to month and see how the mother is
progressing, it helps to keep simple records. On the next page is a sample record
sheet. Change it as you see fit. A larger sheet of paper would be better. Each mother
can keep her own record sheet and bring it when she comes for her check-up.