Pregnancy and Childbirth: Concerns and Challenges

Pregnancy is defined as the term that describes the time period in which a fetus develops inside a woman's body. One or more offspring can also be developed inside a woman's womb. Pregnancy occurs by sexual intercourse or assisted reproductive technologies. It takes around 9 months after the last menstrual period for the complete development of a baby. Pregnancy may include complications like disorders of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, iron-deficiency, anemia, and severe nausea and vomiting. Pregnancy needs good prenatal care which focuses on the identification and treatment of medical complications. It involves the avoidance of drugs and alcohol, regular exercises and physical examinations and intake of extra folic acid. Childbirth is the ending of pregnancy, which is commonly done through vaginal delivery. It involves three stages of labor- the shortening and the opening of the cervix, the birth of the baby and the delivery of the placenta. There are many challenges that occur during childbirth such as obstructed labor, postpartum infection, fetal complications, postpartum bleeding, and eclampsia. Such selected concepts that redefine the subject of pregnancy and childbirth have been presented in this book. The various studies that are constantly contributing towards advancing technologies and evolution of this field are examined in detail. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.