Even though most of the time the delivery remains in the hands of the obstetrician, there may be times when a practical nurse will have to assist the patient to give birth.
In general, the activity of the normal birthing process (see figure 2-8) is given below:
a. Crowning, the appearance of the infant’s head on the perineum.
b. Delivery of the head. This includes suctioning of the infants nose and mouth with a bulb syringe. A DeLee suction trap is used if meconium is present.
c. Delivery of the anterior shoulder and the posterior shoulder.
d. Delivery of the trunk and lower body.
e. Clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord.
