Midwives and doctors commonly divide labor into 2 phases, Latent Phase (also known as, early labor) and Active Phase. This is a gross oversimplification of the entire process. This model which largely negates the preparatory process (described above) as a phase of labor.
The Body Prepares for Labor
Days and weeks before you go into labor, your body is preparing the uterus and cervix for the process. One way to think of this is that the uterus needs to be awakened from its 10-month slumber. It is this process that brings about so many of the symptoms which women experience in the days and weeks before labor.
The Postpartum Visit
The health care for your pregnancy which you began many months ago will end with a last postpartum visit to your doctor or midwife. The purpose of the visit is to assess your physical recovery, your beginning efforts at parenting, and your future contraceptive needs. Usually, your doctor or midwife will see you at a 2-, 4- and/or 6-week interval after birth, depending on your situation.
Birth Control
Hopefully, you have discussed birth control options prior to this point. Ideally, you should know what method of contraception you will use long before you need it again. Breastfeeding does offer some contraceptive effect, but not a reliable one. (WHAT FOLLOWS IS A BRIEF AND INCOMPLETE REVIEW OF BIRTH CONTROL METHODS. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS TOPIC IN DETAIL WITH YOUR DOCTOR OR MIDWIFE.)
Health Care After Your Pregnancy
You should have the opportunity to stay in close contact with doctor or midwife in the week or two after the birth. Although most of the significant complications of labor and birth occur in the first few hours after birth, some complications may not appear for days or weeks.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIDS is the unexplained sudden death of an infant (under one year of age). Although there are several theories, no one is certain why SIDS occurs. In the U.S., there are one or two SIDS cases for every 1,000 live births.
Diaper rash
Diaper rash is the result of the breakdown of the outer layer of skin. The moisture and compounds in urine and feces penetrate and soften the skin causing it to lose its protective toughness. This makes it much easier for bacteria and fungus to penetrate the skin and find an environment which promotes their growth. Like other aspects of health, the key is prevention. In countries where infants do not wear diapers (and there are many!), there is no diaper rash. The use of plastic pants also promotes the trapping of moisture. There are now diaper overpants made of wool which work well to keep the moisture off of the baby’s clothes…….they allow a bit more air circulation.