1. Chapter 6 Section 2
The Postnatal Period

2. Objectives Describe common hospital procedures following birth
Give recommendations for the postnatal care of the mother
Explain the special needs of a premature baby

3. Examining the Newborn
Apgar Scale: a method of evaluating a newborn’s physical condition
Rate scale of 0-2 in each of the 5 areas
Pulse
Breathing
Muscle tone
Reflex to stimulation
Skin color

4. APGAR Rating 6-10 is considered normal
Lower score= needs medical attention
Usually given 1 minute after birth & 5 minutes after

5. APGAR Test
A look at the APGAR test

6. After Birth Within 60 minutes:
Drops of silver nitrate or antiseptic are given as eye drops
Weighed, measured, cleaned
Permanent copy of footprint is made
Two bands: family name on wrist or ankles
Given to baby & mother

7. What happens immediately after birth?

8. Bonding and Attachment
Bonding: the process of forming lifelong emotional ties
Important to begin forming soon after birth
How?
Focus on kangaroo care
Nurse within minutes of delivery
Initial supply of breast milk= colostrum
Thick, clear-yellowish
Rich in antibodies & nutrients

9. Hospital Stay Mother needs rest: has undergone huge physical change
Constantly monitored
Length of stay?
Minimum- chance to rest, eat, and bathe
As soon as 12 hours after birth
Average: 2-3 days

10. Rooming-In Arrangement in which baby stays in the mother’s room
Father may visit whenever
Advantages:
Homelike atmosphere
Family may visit
Couple may practice before going home
Fed whenever

11. Not rooming-in?
In the nursery

12. Birth Certificate Issued soon after baby is born Process
Parents fill out form
Temp certificate is issued
Most important form of ID
Required for entrance into school

13. Postnatal Care of Mother
Attention is focused on baby; however mother needs just as much care to meet physical & emotional needs

14. Physical Needs Rest: try to sleep whenever baby does
May need another relative staying with couple for several days
Exercise: as soon as doctor approves
Simple stretches, mild exercise
Helps mother return to normal figure & correct posture

15. Continued… Nutrition: especially important if breast-feeding
If not- still need to eat healthy to regain energy
Medical checkups: 4-6 weeks after birth
Postnatal checkup
Make sure uterus is returning back to original size
Mother can discuss any questions

16. Emotional Needs Joyous but stressful time
Possible post-partum depression
Some fathers experience these feelings as well
Communication with each other, family members, or friends
Arrange time together as a couple

17. Caring for Premature Babies
Requires special care
Less than 5 ½ lbs or born before 36 weeks
Not ready to live outside mother’s body
Reflexes, systems, breathing, sucking are not mature
Placed in an incubator
Special enclosed crib in which oxygen, temp, and humidity are controlled

18. Incubator Baby’s heart and lungs are monitored
Special procedures or meds may be needed
Advanced technology has improved survival rates
Babies weighing as little as 1lb can survive and grow to be healthy
Once healthy, they are moved to a bassinet
Must be able to achieve ability to control temp and gain weight

19. Chapter 6 Section 3
A New Family Member

20. The Amazing Newborn Able to:
Focus their eyes
Hear
Smell
Vocalize
Less than a day old can focus on a pattern
Prefer human faces
Hearing is present at birth but days a few days for fluid to clear

21. Sounds Respond particularly well to female voice
Differentiate between pitches
Cochlear Implant

22. Reflexes Must be able to respond involuntarily until they learn
Reflexes: instinctive, automatic responses
Ex: sneezing, yawning
Help the baby function
i.e. sneezing helps clear nose, swallowing prevents choking

23. Temporary Reflexes Most continue throughout lifetime
Some are only temporary
Rooting reflex
Grasp reflex
Startle reflex

24. Rooting Reflex Automatic response
When touched on the lips or cheek, newborn will turn towards the touch and begin to suck
Helps baby find food
Around 4 months the reflex stops
Baby is able to turn head and see bottle or breast

25. Rooting reflex

26. Grasp Reflex
Automatic response of hand to close over anything that is comes in contact with the palm
Often so strong that the newborn can be lifted off the bed
Lets go without warning
3 months begins to reach= reflex weakens
Gone by 1 year

27. Grasp Reflex
grasp reflex

28. Startle Reflex Automatic physical response
Legs thrown up, fingers spread, arms extended, and then brought back to the midline with the fingers close in a grasping
Response to loud noise or touch on the stomach
Disappears around 5 months

29. Startle Reflex
startle to touch
startle to sound

30. Tie it together…
Neonatal Reflexes

31. Learning to Care for the Newborn
Parents quickly gain confidence
Routines
Recognize baby’s needs
Adapt responses to individual

32. What Do Babies Need?? Food: whole body communication
Squirms, mouth open
Crying
Important to feed right away
Builds trust

33. Babies Need: Sleep Most take short naps around the clock
Wake at night 1-3 times for feeding
Sleeps avg 15 hrs
6-8 sleep intervals
Every baby is different

34. Babies Need: Kept safe, clean, and warm Medical care Diapers Bathing
Baby-proofed home
Medical care
Periodic baby checkups throughout 1st year

35. Babies Need: Things to look at, touch, listen to, and play with
Stimulating surroundings help babies learn
Favorite thing: human face & gentle voice

36. Babies Need:
6. Exercise: moving arms and legs develop the baby’s nervous system
7. LOVE
Babies feel secure
One of the strongest forces

37. What Do Parents Need? Knowledge Resources Time for many roles
Emotional support
Financial planning
Reassurance & confidence
Agreement on parenting
Health, rest, nutrition
Privacy and time alone

38. Ask the Experts… Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIDS
Crib death
Usually affect healthy infants between ages of 2 weeks and 6 months
No warning, no cry, and no evidence of pain
No cause has been discovered
Extremely difficult time for parents

39. Adjusting to New Routines
Baby needs several weeks before settling in to a pattern
Parents must adjust schedule to baby’s needs
Cannot “spoil” a newborn, parents are meeting their needs
After a month, a fairly predictable pattern occurs

40. Understanding the Baby’s Language
CRYING
Hunger is most common
Hot or cold
Uncomfortable
Fatigue
Loneliness
Parents learn to distinguish between cries

41. Early Temperament
Style of reacting to the world and relating to others
All babies are different
Some are calm
Some are loud
Research shows
Babies as early as 2 weeks adjust to parents reactions
Gentle= soft cooing & motions
Playful= grunts & active

42. Understanding Your Baby's Cues