1. Baby’s Arrival
Chapter 7
Page 215

2. Labor and Birth Early signs of labor Cervix- lower part of the uterus
‘bloody show’- loss of the mucus plug from the cervix
Amniotic sac breaks- ‘water breaks’
Woman should note the color, amount and smell
Once this happens baby must be born within hours.

3. Labor Contractions- tightening and releasing of the uterine muscles
Become closer together and stronger as time passes
False Labor- “Braxton Hicks” Contractions
Not regular or rhythmic
Don’t get stronger
End if the woman walk/ moves around

4. Stage 1: Dilation 1st Stage- Dilation
Dilation- cervix widens until 10 cm wide
Effacement- cervix thins to allow widening
Contractions last about 1 min. and become about 5-6 minutes apart
Baby moves down into birth canal
Transition- bridge between 1st & 2nd stages
Very strong contractions and much closer together
Most difficult part of labor

5. Stage 2: A Baby is Born 2nd Stage- baby is delivered
Woman can now push
Tight fit-
Ligaments in pelvic bone expand
Hormone allows vagina to be very stretchy
Baby’s skull is soft & flexible
Episiotomy- opening is widen to allow the baby more room and to avoid the mother tearing

6. Woman’s feet are elevated
Doctor supports the baby’s head
Forceps- surgical tongs used to help pull out babies
Vacuum Extraction- suction is applied to baby’s head to help baby move through the birth canal

7. 3rd Stage- Placental Delivery
Weaker contractions continue after the baby is born
Placenta is delivered with little discomfort
Placenta must be inspected by doctor for signs of problems
Very important step to ensure no bleeding, infection or serious illness exists

8. Cesarean Birth
Delivery of a baby by making a surgical incision in the mother’s abdomen
Used when complications arise or emergencies
Sometimes scheduled/planned if woman is known to have very difficult deliveries
Women can have a vaginal birth after a c-section

9. A New Life… Breathing During labor amniotic fluids are pushed out
Takes first breath when lungs fill with oxygen
Circulation
Valve in the heart closes allowing blood to flow through the heart and lungs
Umbilical cord-stops pulsing and begins to shrink
In clamped off on both the mother & baby’s side then cut

10. Newborn at Birth
Fontanels- ‘soft spots’ or bones in the baby’s skull that haven’t fused together
Flat nose & receding chin- help w/ feeding
Eyes- nearly adult size & blue at birth
Lanugo- downy hair on forehead, back & shoulders (especially babies born early)
Vernix- cottage cheese looking substance that protects baby from the amniotic fluids
Milia- baby acne due to the mother’s hormones

12. Postnatal Period
Section 7-2

13. Apgar Scale 1 2 Heart Rate Absent Under 100 Over 100 Breathing1 2
Heart Rate
Absent
Under 100
Over 100
Breathing
Slow, irregular
Good, crying
Muscle Tone
Limp
Some limb movement
Active motion
Response
None
Grimace
Cough
Color
Blue, pale
Pink body; blue limbs
Completely pink

14. Early Hours Bonding- strong emotional tie between parent & child
Breast feeding- baby’s instincts guide
Colostrum (1st milk)- easy to digest, provides antibodies, very important!!
Typically stay in hospital for 1-2 days
Jaundice- baby has a yellow color on their skin
Blood has too much of a chemical
If untreated, could harm nervous system
Treated by putting baby in sunlight or under flourescent lighting

15. Rooming In- baby stays in the mother’s room as much as parents like
Allow for bonding
Helps the parents practice taking care of the baby
Legal Documents
Must complete birth certificate
Social Security Number/Card

16. Premature Babies 5-6% of babies are premature
Incubator- help control temperature, breathing and feeding
Often have difficulties with breathing, infections & eating
Babies weighing less than 1 pound have survived to be healthy

17. Mother’s Postnatal Care
Physical Needs
Rest- sleep when the baby does
Exercise- as soon as mother feels ready can do mild exercise
Helps with weight loss and mental health
Nutrition- very important to help the body recover
Especially if breast feeding
Increase calories by 600 if breast feeding

18. Amazing Newborn Reflexes- instinctive, automatic responses
Rooting Reflex- when touched on lips or cheek baby turns to feed
Grasp Reflex- hand closes over anything that touches the palm
Startle Reflex- reaction to loud sound
Legs throw up, finders spread and arms are first extended then brought back rapidly while fingers clamp shut

19. Adjustments
Newborns need several weeks to settle into a predictable pattern
Baby needs to feel secure, loved and provided for
Baby’s Language- parents begin to understand different cries
Temperament- baby’s style of reacting to the world and relating to others
All babies are different, some very sensitive and others very laid back