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Before The Baby Is Born: CHILDBIRTH is the process by which a baby is expelled from the uterus, or womb, through the vagina to the outside world. Normally, a baby is born about 38 weeks (266 days) after it is conceived. In some cases, however, the baby may be born after only 26 weeks, and in others it may taJce as long as 41 weeks. Generally, if a baby is born Before the baby is born 35 weeks after conception, it is considered to be premature.
In about 95% of all pregnancies, the baby is born headfirst, a position known as a vertex position. About 4% are born with the feet or buttocks first, known as breech positions. The remaining few are born in abnormal positions, as with the arm or shoulder first. The vast majority of head presentations are born without any difficulty, although sometimes with the aid of an instrument known as obstetrical forceps. The forceps is often used to save a woman 2 or 3 hours of pain and to prevent the baby's head from injury due to the mother's strong efforts to expel it.
Motherhood not only gives satisfactions; it also demands sacrifices—considerable drudgery is often involved. The mother cannot expect to have the freedom she knew Before the baby is born she had a baby to care for. Yet she should not go to the extreme of devoting herself exclusively to the baby. It is better for the expectant mother to take a realistic view in advance than to be completely disillusioned after the baby is born.
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