Labor and Delivery Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Childbirth Emergency Childbirth Show all 4 photos Delivery presentations Definition Delivery presentation describes the way the fetus is positioned to come down the birth canal for delivery. The presentation is defined by fetal attitude, the presenting part, and maternal and fetal landmarks. Alternative Names Shoulder presentation; Malpresentations; Breech birth; Cephalic presentation; Fetal lie; Fetal attitude Information THE DELIVERY PROCESS The delivery process is described in terms of fetal station, lie, attitude, and presentation. Fetal station: This is the relationship between the presenting part, whether that be the head, shoulder, buttocks, or feet, and two parts of the maternal pelvis called the ischial spines. Normally the ischial spines are the narrowest part of the pelvis, and are a natural measuring point for the delivery progress. If the presenting part lies above the ischial spines, the station is reported as a negative number from 0 to -3 where each number is a centimeter. If the presenting part lies below the ischial spines, the station is reported as a positive number from 0 to 3 where each number is a centimeter. The baby is said to be "engaged" in the pelvis when it reaches 0 station. Fetal lie: This is the relationship between the head to tailbone axis of the fetus and the head to tailbone axis of the mother. If the two are parallel, then the fetus is said to be in a longitudinal lie. If the two are at 90-degree angles to each other, the fetus is said to be in a transverse lie. Nearly all (99.5%) fetuses are in a longitudinal lie. Fetal attitude: The fetal attitude describes the relationship of the fetus' body parts to one another. The normal fetal attitude is commonly referred to as the fetal position: the head is tucked down to the chest, with arms and legs drawn in towards the center of the chest. Abnormal fetal attitudes may include a head that is extended back or other body parts extended or positioned behind the back. Continue reading this article

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C-section (3 Videos, 3 Images, 1 Slideshow) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A C-section, also called a cesarean section, is the delivery of a baby through a surgical opening in the lower belly area. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 05/02/2008
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Premature infant (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A premature infant is a baby born before 37 weeks gestation. Reviewer: Deirdre OReilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrens Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/11/2007
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Intrauterine growth restriction (10 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Intrauterine growth restriction describes poor growth of a fetus. Specifically, it refers to a fetus whose weight is below the 10th percentile for gestational age. Reviewer: Deirdre OReilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrens Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/11/2007
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Gestational age (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth during which the fetus grows and develops inside the mother's womb. Gestational age is the time measured from the first day of the woman's last menstrual cycle to the current date. It is measured in weeks. A pregnancy of normal gestation is approximately 40 weeks, with a normal range of 38 to 42 weeks. Infants born before 37 weeks are considered premature. Infants born after 42 weeks are considered postmature. The gestational maturity rating is measured by the Ballard scale or Dubowitz exam. Reviewer: Deirdre OReilly, MD, MPH, Neonatologist, Division of Newborn Medicine, Childrens Hospital Boston and Instructor in Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/19/2007
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Small for gestational age (SGA) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Small for gestational age (SGA) means a fetus or infant is smaller in size than normal for the baby's gender and gestational age. Reviewer: Melanie N. Smith, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 08/17/2007
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Birth-acquired herpes (1 Image) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Birth-acquired herpes is a herpes virus infection that an infant gets (acquires) at the time of birth. Reviewer: Rachel A. Lewis, M.D., F.A.A.P., Columbia University Pediatric Faculty Practice, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 11/12/2007
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Birthmarks - red (3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Red birthmarks are colored, vascular (blood vessel) skin markings that develop before or shortly after birth. Reviewer: Michael S. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/26/2006
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Facial nerve palsy due to birth trauma (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Facial nerve palsy due to birth trauma is the loss of controllable (voluntary) muscle movement in an infant's face due to pressure on the facial nerves just before or at the time of delivery. Reviewer: Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/06/2008
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