Curriculum Topic: Group Activity
Activity Type: Labor & Birth, Healthy Birth Practice 1
Purpose: Identifying the true signs of labor to avoid early hospital admission.
Supplies: Craft sticks
Labels
Clear tape (scotch or packing)
Three signs — "Not Yet", "Maybe", "Oh, Baby"
Instructions:
- Before class, label the craft sticks with possible signs of labor. Use your talking points to determine which signs to put on the sticks. Print the labels and use clear tape to afix them to the craft sticks. This is easier than trying to write right on the stick. Hang three signs around the room with "Not Yet", "Maybe", and "Oh, Baby".
- In class, participants select a craft stick and stand under the sign that best describes the sign of labor listed on the stick — "Not Yet" (presumptive sign), "Maybe" (early labor or contact your healthcare provider), "Oh Baby" (definite sign of labor).
- Once everyone is in place, have each participant read their stick and decide as a group if they are standing under the correct sign.
- Discuss and correct any "incorrect" answers.
Talking Points:
Possible Signs of Labor
"Not Yet" Scenarios for the Craft Sticks
- Baby drops
- Nesting
- Instinct
- Backache
- Increased need to urinate
- Increase in vaginal discharge
- Cervix has not further efffaced or dilated since your last exam
- Contractions felt on or above your navel
- Contractions stop after drinking 2-3 glasses of water
- Contractions that stop when you change your activity
"Maybe" Scenarios for the Craft Sticks
- Loss of mucous plug
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Contractions that never change in intensity
- You have urges to have a bowel movement at regular intervals
- Low, dull backache that comes and goes and does not go away
"Oh Baby" Scenarios for the Craft Sticks
- Cervix shows change and continues to change
- Contractions become longer and stronger throughout time
- Contractions continue despite comfort measures
- Contractions start coming closer together throughout time
- Your water breaks but there are no contractions
- Contractions become more intense with walking
- Your water breaks but it is only trickling
- Deep menstrual-like cramps that come and go or don't go away
- Pelvic pressure-fells like the baby is pushing down-that comes and goes
- Contractions do not stop when you change your activity
Modifications:
Instead of the "Maybe" category, you could also use "Warning Signs" (when to see your healthcare provider) such as, blurred vision, headache, swelling of the hands and face, rapid weight gain, dizziness, and vaginal bleeding.
Reference: Adapted from Lamaze Toolkit
Debbie Petersburg, BS, LCCE, FACCE |
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