Childbirth is said to be "eutocic" when it takes place under normal conditions. What are the characteristics of a eutocic birth? How is it different from obstructed labor? We will explain everything to you.
The word eutocia comes from the Greek “eutokia”,“had”Meaning“ normal, good ”and“Tokos”Meaning“ childbirth ”. A eutocic childbirth is therefore a normal childbirth, that is to say a physiological childbirth without any complications for both the mother and the baby.
What characterizes a eutocic delivery?
As a reminder, the different phases of childbirth are:
- work. This stage is usually the longest since it corresponds to the progressive dilation of the cervix under the effect of contractions. Labor is done in two phases, which are the dilation of the cervix and the descent and engagement of the baby in the pelvis.
- the expulsion. Helped by the patient's pushes on uterine contractions, the baby comes out through the vagina, head first, then is guided by the midwife or the gynecologist.
- delivery. This last phase involves expelling the placenta, membranes and umbilical cord a few minutes after the baby is born.
The length of a childbirth varies from woman to woman. It is often longer for a first child, around 8 hours compared to 4 hours on average for a second childbirth.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a childbirth is eutocic or normal when the onset is spontaneous (triggered either by rupture of the water bag or by close contractions), that the birth is considered low risk from the start and throughout labor and delivery and that the child (simple delivery) is born spontaneously in the vertex cephalic position (head first) between the 37th and 42nd weeks of amenorrhea. Also, after birth, mother and child are doing well.
Eutocic childbirth necessarily takes place vaginally and the placement of an epidural or not is not part of the criteria for normal childbirth. Eutocic delivery can be done with or without an epidural.
Eutocic childbirth is opposed to obstructed birth
The word “dystocia” comes from the Greek “dys”Which means“ difficulty ”. Obstructed labor is therefore a difficult delivery that can lead to complications.
The difficulties may concern the mother or the child. In parturient women, the most common difficulties during childbirth are abnormal contractions, placenta previa, problems with the cervix, or a deformed or too narrow pelvis. In the fetus, a heavy weight, an irregular presentation (in breech, for example), poorly positioned shoulders in the pelvis are situations that can complicate childbirth.
All these difficulties imply increased surveillance and further medicalization of childbirth by artificially breaking the membranes, administering oxytocin to the mother, performing a caesarean section or episiotomy, or even using instruments (suction cups , forceps).
What care for mother and child after childbirth?
After a normal birth by natural means, the mother remains in the labor room for at least two hours. A medical team takes turns to ensure his well-being and his general good condition. His blood pressure, temperature, pulse and uterine bleeding are monitored. About an hour after childbirth, for women who wish to breastfeed, a childcare assistant helps the mother with the first breastfeeding. For those who choose not to breastfeed, the dad can give the first bottle to his partner.
After these two hours of monitoring, a midwife performs a clinical examination to ensure that the patient can exit the labor room and enter the delivery ward.
As for the newborn, if he is born at term and does not require any particular care, he is placed “skin to skin” on his mother (if his state of health allows it) or on his father if the latter. wish. The baby is then taken to a room to carry out his first aid and take his measurements (weight, height, cranial perimeter). The midwife or the pediatrician performs a clinical examination looking for malformations, clamps the umbilical cord, checks the patency of the choanae (posterior internal openings of the nasal cavities that open at the back of the palate), of the anus , esophagus and gives vitamin K and eye drops to the newborn's eyes.
In some cases, the baby may remain in the incubator for increased monitoring by labor room staff. We check its coloring, behavior, breathing, temperature, blood sugar …
If all goes well, the child is dressed and lying on his back in a cradle to leave the labor room with his mother and go up to the nappy suite ward.
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