The Baby’s Arrival Chapter 6

Chapter Objectives Describe the progress of labor. Explain what happens during a cesarean birth. List the factors that can contribute to a premature birth. Describe a newborn’s appearance immediately after birth. Identify the exams and procedures given to a newborn in the first few days. Review what occurs during the hospital stay after delivery. Summarize the physical and emotional needs of a new mother.

Section 6.1 Labor and Birth

Main Idea Pregnant women go through different stages of labor before delivering a baby. Some women have a cesarean or premature birth.

Vocabulary Content Academic Cervix Contraction Fetal monitoring Dilate Cord blood Stem cells Cesarean birth Incubator Induce Anesthesia

Early signs of Labor Woman may experience “bloody show” which is a few drops of blood or pinkish vaginal discharge when the mucus plug that seals the cervix dissolves at the beginning of labor Cervix – lower part of the uterus May also experience a gush of water, this may occur later in labor Woman will experience contractions - tightening and releasing of the muscles of the uterus Fetal monitoring – watching of an unborn baby’s heart rate for indications of stress

Premature labor Full-term last 40 weeks Premature labor happens before the 37th week of pregnancy

False labor Contractions are not regular or rhythmic Contractions do not get stronger over time Contractions end with light exercise, such as walking or stretching

Inducing labor A doctor may start labor by artificial means

Stage 1 – contractions open the cervix Stage 2 – the baby is born Stages of Labor Stage 1 – contractions open the cervix Stage 2 – the baby is born Stage 3 – the placenta is expelled

The First Stage Contractions are at regular intervals and increase in intensity Lasting 30 seconds and are about 20 minutes apart Lasting 60 seconds and are about 2 to 5 minutes apart Uterine muscle pull up on the cervix causing it to soften and thin, allowing it to open or dilate – widen or open The first state ends with a period called transition. When the cervix is dilated to 10 cm Contractions last 90 seconds and are 2 to 3 minutes apart

The Second Stage Contractions in the second stage push the baby through the birth canal and out of the vagina The mother pushes during this stage of labor A hormone called relaxin allows the body to stretch to allow the baby to pass through If the opening is not large enough, sometimes the doctor will perform an episiotomy The baby’s head crowns and the baby is delivered

The Third Stage After the birth, the mother is able to relax briefly She will experience a few more contractions and desire to push The after birth, or placenta is delivered This will be examined to ensure that all of it has been removed from the uterus Cord blood – blood left behind in the umbilical cord and placenta Stem cells – cells capable of producing all types of blood cells

How to Cope with Labor Both mother and father should take prenatal classes through a hospital You will learn What to expect Breathing, and relaxation techniques to help during labor

Cesarean Birth Cesarean birth – delivery of a baby through a surgical incision. Can be performed for various reasons.

Premature Birth Born before reaching 37 weeks Requires extra care Incubator – special enclosed crib where the oxygen supplied, temperature, and humidity can be controlled

Section 6.2 The Newborn

Main Idea A newborn baby is examined immediately after birth. A newborn receives numerous tests shortly after birth.

Vocabulary Content Academic Fontanel Lanugo Vernix Apgar scale Fuse Secure

The Baby Arrives Lungs fill with amniotic fluid that is squeezed out while travelling through the birth canal, whatever is left over is suctioned out of the mouth Once the lungs take in oxygen, the baby’s circulatory system changes and the heart pumps harder A new hemoglobin develops so that the red blood cells can deliver oxygen to the body The umbilical cord stops pulsing and starts to shrink. It is clamped and cut. It will fall off in a few weeks

The Newborn’s appearance Fontanel – open space found on the baby’s head where the bones have not yet joined Lanugo – fine, downy hair growing on newborns’ foreheads, backs, and shoulders Vernix – thick, white pasty substance made up of the fetus’s old skin cells and the secretions of skin glands The baby may have swollen or puffy faces due to delivery (or swollen testicles) May also have bruises on their head because of the birth process

Examining the newborn Apgar Scale – system of rating the physical condition of a newborn baby Heart rate Breathing Muscle tone Response to stimulation Skin color Once at birth and then 5 minutes later

Later Tests Hearing screenings Blood is taken from the umbilical cord to check the blood type and for diseases Blood is taken from the heal to test for certain diseases and disorders Hepatitis B vaccine is given at this time

Section 6.3 Postnatal Period

Main Idea After the baby is born, the parents begin to bond with the baby while still at the hospital. Both mother and baby receive postnatal care.

Vocabulary Content Academic Prenatal period Jaundice Postnatal period Bilirubin Postpartum depression Bonding Colostrum Lactation consultant Rooming-in Major Stable

After the Birth Neonatal period – first month after the baby is born Jaundice – causes the babies skin and eyes to look yellow because the liver cannot remove the bilirubin Bilirubin – substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells Bonding Help with Feeding Rooming-in Legal Documents Caring for Premature Babies

Bonding If there are no complications after birth, the nurse may place the baby on the mother’s stomach to help with the bonding process. Bonding – forming emotional ties between parents and child Bonding helps brain development, the baby’s brain is starting to make millions of connections. If the baby is going to be breast-fed, then the mother may wish to start nursing right away. Colostrum – high-calorie, high-protein early breast milk

Bonding Tips Use a baby carrier Sing or read to the baby Allow dad time with the baby Let the baby handle you

Help with Feeding All babies lose weight after birth. They will gain it back after the first few weeks. Some mothers and babies have trouble feeding and receive help while in the hospital. Lactation consultant – a professional breast-feeding specialist who shows mothers how to encourage adequate milk production and how to position babies properly so they can nurse

Rooming-in Rooming-in – the baby remains with the mother in the hospital room After the birth the baby may stay with the mother part of the time or full time.

Legal Documents Parents fill out forms for the birth certificate and social security card

Caring for Premature Babies Special needs Keep babies warm Check for infections Help them until their organs start functioning on their own example: breathing Improved care Care has improved over the years Constantly monitored Must breath on their own, drink, maintain a constant body temperature, and constant weight of 5 pounds before leaving the hospital

Mother’s Postnatal Care Postnatal Period – time following the baby’s birth Physical Needs Rest Exercise Good nutrition Medical checkups Emotional Needs Postpartum depression - Condition in which new mothers may feel very sad, cry a lot, have little energy, feel overly anxious about the baby or have little interest in the baby, and, in extreme cases, think of harming the baby