Sarena Nguyen

ISM-Period 7

"Cord Blood Banking." American Pregnancy Association. American Pregnancy Association, 01 Sept.

2016. Web. 23 Mar. 2017. <htp://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/cord-blood-banking/>.

Cord blood is the blood that remains in the umbilical cord and placenta following birth.
This blood is usually discarded right after delivery into a biohazard bag.
Cord blood banking utilizes facilities to store and preserve a babys cord blood.
It is important to make sure the cord blood bank is accredited by the American Association of
Blood Banks (AABB).
Cord blood is home to an abundant source of stem cells that are genetically related to the
baby and babys family.
Stem cells are dominant cells because they can develop into all types of all tissues, organs,
and systems in the body.
Stem cells are able to transform into other types of cells in the body to create new growth and
development.
They are also the building blocks of the immune system.
The transformation of these cells provides doctors with a way to treat leukemia and some
inherited health disorders.
The stem cells from the babys cord blood may also be effective in treating certain diseases
or conditions of a parent or sibling.
Cord blood stem cells have similar ability to treat disease as bone marrow but with
significantly less rejection.
Banking a babys blood and stem cells in a cord blood bank is a type of insurance.
Collection does not interfere with delivery and is possible with both vaginal and cesarean
deliveries.
Syringe method: a syringe is used to draw blood from the umbilical cord shortly after the
umbilical cord has been cut. The process is similar to drawing blood for a regular blood test.
Bag method: the umbilical cord is elevated to drain the blood into a bag.
Cord blood may only be collected during the first 15 minutes following the birth and should
be processed by the laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
There are no health risks related to cord blood collection.
Cord blood is retrieved from the umbilical cord after it has been cut, thus preventing any
pain, discomfort, or harm. This process is completely safe.
Initial fee covers enrollment, collection, and storage for at least the first year, based upon the
length of a predetermined period of storage, can range from $900 to $2100.
Annual storage fees after the initial storage fee are approximately $100.
Non-profit blood banks and medical facilities, there are numerous locations that will collect,
process, and use the stem cells from your babys cord blood to treat other people.

This source is of use to me because it provides insight on the topic of cord blood banking,
which I will utilize in my final presentation.
 Sarena Nguyen
ISM-Period 7

"MoonDragon's Pregnancy Information: True Vs False Labor." MoonDragon. Moon Dragon.

Web. 22 Mar. 2017. <http://www.moondragon.org/pregnancy/truefalselabor.html>.

Labor is the process through which the baby is delivered.

The body produces contractions which tighten and relax the muscles of the uterus.
These contractions become stronger, longer, and closer as the body progresses through
labor, forming a pattern.
The contractions work to efface (thin out) and dilate (open up) the cervix, which is the
bottom part of the uterus.
Once the cervix is open (100 percent effaced and completely dilated to at least 10 cm)
the baby can be pushed out of the uterus through the cervix and into the birth canal
(vagina) to be delivered.
Labor and delivery vary for each woman, so it is difficult to find the average for each
birth because there are multiple factors that can differ.
For first babies, the average labor lasts 12-16 hours; starting from the beginning of
regular contractions until the baby is delivered.
Because every birth experience is unique it could be as little as 6 hours or up to 24
hours or more.
For subsequent babies, labor averages between 6-8 hours.
Some women may labor only a few hours up to a few days and still have it be
considered normal.
Signs of pre-labor include; increased frequency of Braxton-Hicks Contractions, the
uterus is preparing itself by exercising the uterine muscles.
Lightening - relaxation of the uterine ligaments allowing baby to settle deeper in the
pelvis, this typically occurs during the last few weeks prior to labor with the first
pregnancy.
Discharge of mucous plug and increased vaginal secretions. When the cervix begins
to dilate and efface, the mucous plug may be released. The mucous plug may appear as
slightly tinged with blood and can discharged from a few hours or a few weeks prior to
labor.
Diarrhea or loose bowels are natures way of cleaning the bowel before labor in order
to make room for the baby to be born.
Nesting can also be referred to as a sudden burst of energy. The sudden impulse to
hurry up and clean the house and arrange the nest to prepare for the baby.
There is no real answer to know when labor begins.
A womans body produces chemicals called prostaglandins.
Towards the end of the third trimester, prostaglandins can cause the cervix to soften
and shorten.
Oxytocin is a hormone released from the pituitary gland, and causes the uterus to
tighten in a rhythmic pattern; making contractions closer together, stronger and longer
of duration.
 Sarena Nguyen
ISM-Period 7

This website provides insight on the various stages of labor by analyzing data
acquired by women who have experienced labor.
Moyer, Melinda Wenner. "Are Epidurals Really So Bad?" Slate Magazine. The Slate Group

LLC, 11 Jan. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2017.

<http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/01/the_truth_

about_epidurals.html>.

Epidural anesthesia is the most popular method of pain relief during labor.
More than 50% of women who are giving birth request/use epidural anesthesia.
Epidural anesthesia is a regional anesthesia that blocks pain in a particular region of the
body.
The goal of an epidural is to provide analgesia, or pain relief, rather than anesthesia,
which leads to total lack of feeling.
Epidurals prevent nerve impulse from lower spinal segments.
Thus resulting in little to no sensation in the lower half of the body.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are administered prior to active labor and before the procedure of
placing the epidural.
An expected to 1-2 liters of IV fluids are received throughout labor and delivery.
An anesthesiologist (specialize in administering anesthesia), an obstetrician or nurse
anesthetist will administer the epidural.
The back is arched to access the epidural cavity, this position is vital to prevent problems
and increasing the effectiveness.
Antiseptic solution is wiped around the waistline are to help minimize the chance for
infection.
Local anesthetic is inject to numb a small area.
A needle is then inserted into the numbed area surrounding the spinal cord in the lower
back.
A small catheter or tube is threated through the needle into the epidural space.
The needle is then removed, but the catheter is still in place to provide medication
through periodic injections.
The catheter is taped to the back to prevent it from slipping out.
Benefits of epidurals include being able to remain an active participant in birth, staying
awake with effective pain relief during recovery.
A server head ache can be a symptom of epidurals due to leakage of spinal fluid. Less
than 1% of women experience this.
A blood patch is procedure where moms blood is injected into the epidural space, can
be done to help with the head ache.
Lying in a single position can delay or stop labor.
Typically epidurals are placed when the cervix is dilated to 4-5 centimeters and you are in
true active labor.
 Sarena Nguyen
ISM-Period 7

This article compares the birthing process between women who do get epidurals and who
do not, in order to debunk the myth that going all natural is safer for the baby.

"Water Breaking: Understand This Sign of Labor." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical

Education and Research, 18 Oct. 2016. Web. 22 Mar. 2017.

<http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/water-

breaking/art-20044142?pg=2>.

The longer it takes for the amniotic sac to rupture on its own, the likely hood for the
baby to develop an infection increases.
If water breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is known as preterm premature
rupture of membranes (preterm PROM).
Risk factors for premature rupture includes a history of preterm PROM, intra-amniotic
infection, vaginal bleeding during the end of the third trimester, smoking or drug usage
during pregnancy, malnutrition, or short cervical length.
Potential complications includes maternal or fetal infection, placental abruption (when
the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before delivery), along with the
complications of premature birth.
When 34 weeks pregnant with preterm PROM, delivery is recommended to prevent
infection. Between 24 and 34 weeks, a health care provider will try to delay delivery
until the baby is more developed.
Typically, antibiotics are given to further prevent an infection, along with an injection
of potent steroids to speed fetal lung development.
Amniotomies are used to help induce labor by causing contractions to become stronger
if they have already begun.
For an amniotomy, a thin plastic hook is used to rupture the amniotic sac, causing the
water to break.
Generally, after the water breaks at term, labor soon follows if it has not yet already
begun.
When the water breaks, it typical feels like a slow trickle (or a small gush) of colorless,
odorless amniotic fluid.
Amniotic fluid is a pale, straw-colored fluid.
Vaginal discharge, on the other hand, is a thin, milky-white mucus thats similar to (but
heavier than) what you might experience between periods.
A bloody showa sign labor is imminentis a mucousy discharge streaked pink or
brown with blood.
Only about 15 percent of women experience the rupture of the amniotic sac before
they go into labor.
Call the healthcare provider if your water breaks and the fluid looks green or brown,
which may mean the baby had a bowel movement in utero (known as meconium).
 Sarena Nguyen
ISM-Period 7

Very rarely babies can be born still inside of their sac, this is called en cual.
This happens one in every 80,000 births.

This article provides information regarding to preterm PROM and how amniotic sacs are
ruptured.