The uterus can be massaged after the placenta has delivered in order to promote contractions, which will slow the bleeding. The biggest risk of this stage is a retained placenta; this can lead to hemorrhaging or infection if part of the placenta does not leave the uterus. The umbilical cord can be clamped after it stops pulsating, which can take several minutes. The fourth stage of labor is the beginning of the postpartum period. The uterus contracts and the bleeding slows. The episiotomy is repaired to restore the perineal structure. The woman may have chills or shivering during this stage and there is a risk of postpartum hemorrhaging. Skin-to-skin contact with the infant is recommended at this stage as long as mother and baby are stable. Sometimes, labor needs to be induced for medical or practical purposes. It involves giving intravenous oxytocin, although other medications are sometimes given to ripen the cervix beforehand. Those who require an emergency delivery or who do not progress in labor will often require a cesarean section. The majority of these surgeries are done with an incision across the lower uterine segment, which allows for later being able to have a vaginal birth after cesarean or what’s called a VBAC.
ABORTION An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing or allowing for the expulsion of the embryo or fetus before it can survive. A spontaneous abortion is called a miscarriage, while a deliberate abortion is called an induced abortion. When used by itself, the term abortion usually means an induced abortion. A late-term abortion is one in which the pregnancy is terminated after the fetus is technically viable. Induced abortions can be therapeutic for the health of the fetus or mother, or elective, which is an abortion done for other reasons. Most abortions are done because of an unintended pregnancy. Those abortions on an intended pregnancy are done because of genetic issues in the fetus. The manner by which the abortion is performed depends on the gestational age. Selective reduction involves terminating one or more fetuses in a multiple gestation in order to reduce the total number.
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